Admission of earthquake victims: visas within five days possible

The federal government wants to simplify the admission of relatives from the earthquake area. According to this, visa appointments in Turkey should be allocated nationwide. It gets more complicated for Syrians – they have to go to the embassy.

Those affected in the Turkish earthquake area should be able to find accommodation with their relatives in Germany as quickly and unbureaucratically as possible. For this you need a valid visa. From the Foreign Office it is said that the processing time is five days – if a Turkish passport and all documents are complete.

Starting today, visa application appointments will be made at nationwide branches in Turkey. There are also additional staff for processing.

People should be able to stay for three months

People from the disaster region can stay in Germany with relatives of the first or second degree for three months. The accelerated visa issuance is primarily intended to help those who are particularly affected: Because they are homeless or have injuries that require treatment.

One thing is clear: the receiving family members must sign a declaration. In doing so, they undertake to pay for all costs: subsistence, any hospital treatment and the subsequent return journey.

People who lost their passports in the earthquake should still be helped. Agreements are currently being made with the Turkish authorities on this, according to the Federal Foreign Office website.

Obtaining a visa is more complicated for those affected from Syria: They have to go to diplomatic missions in Amman, Beirut or Istanbul. The embassy in Damascus remains closed.