After the disaster in the Turkish-Syrian border area, Germany simplified the issuing of visas. Those affected should be able to stay with their families at times. Now they can stay three months longer.
People from Turkey who came to Germany three months ago as a result of the earthquake can stay longer in the Federal Republic. As the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of the Interior announced, the deadline will be postponed to August 6th. Actually, those affected should have left the country on May 7th.
The prerequisite is still that people have come to Germany with a valid visa. According to the ministries, an appointment with the foreigners authority is not necessary for the extended stay.
Baerbock: “Practical sign of solidarity”
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser explained that with the extension of the regulation “those affected have a secure perspective and we relieve the immigration authorities of further procedures.”
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that giving people “a little more time with their families while the clean-up and reconstruction work in Turkey progresses is a very practical sign of solidarity.”
About 9500 people affected in Germany
At the beginning of February, two severe earthquakes shook the border region of Syria and Turkey. More than 50,000 people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands were injured. The federal government then decided to make it possible for those affected to stay temporarily with their families in Germany in as unbureaucratic a manner as possible.
She set up acceptance points in the region where people who lost their homes in the earthquake could apply for visas. According to the Federal Foreign Office, around 9,500 Turks found shelter with their relatives in Germany.