- EU officials are developing a visa model for trusted Turkish travelers starting July nineteenth, twenty twenty-six.
- Eligible applicants may receive two-year multiple-entry permits followed by five-year visas upon maintaining clean records.
- The plan targets business owners and researchers to reduce paperwork after processing one point two million applications in twenty twenty-four.
EU officials are drawing up a visa model that would give trusted Turkish travellers an initial 2-year multiple-entry permit, with a clean record opening the door to a 5-year visa later. Technical work is due to start the week of July 19, 2026. The work starts next week.
Thomas Hans Ossowski said the earlier changes were meant to ease travel for reliable applicants from Türkiye. He described them as a sign of goodwill from member states. He called it goodwill.
"All these changes that we introduced now are also a demonstration of goodwill of member states. towards travelers from Türkiye. The aim is to simplify visa procedures and give reliable applicants more planning security."
Free toolSchengen Short-Stay Visa Calculator
The new plan builds on the cascade regime the EU adopted on July 15, 2025 for Turkish nationals living in Turkey. In Commission Implementing Decision C(2025) 4694, the Commission said the pool of bona fide applicants who had lawfully used previous visas kept growing and faced low migratory and security risks. The door had already opened.
"The number of bona fide applicants of Turkish nationality that have lawfully used previous visas continues to increase. This group of applicants poses low migratory and security risks. therefore, more favourable rules. should apply."
August 2026 Final Action Dates
India China ROW EB-1 Oct 15, 2022 Jul 01, 2023 ▲30d Current EB-2 Unavailable Sep 01, 2021 Current EB-3 Jan 01, 2014 Jan 01, 2022 ▲10d Sep 01, 2024 ▲31d F-1 Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d Dec 15, 2018 ▲317d F-2A Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d Jul 22, 2026 ▲567d
The draft model is aimed at business owners, senior executives, researchers and scientists, students enrolled in European academic programs, and highly qualified professionals with regular business travel needs. Officials describe it as temporary. The queues stay long.
The pressure shows in the numbers. Turkish citizens spent an estimated €775 million on Schengen visa fees over the last 15 years. Schengen consulates in Turkey processed a record 1.2 million applications in 2024. Multi-year visas would cut repeat fees and paperwork. The first-time line moves faster.
Lawful use unlocks longer visas
The cascade system starts with a narrow first visa and then lengthens the permit if the traveler keeps using it lawfully. It works in stages.
| Stage | Rule |
|---|---|
| First Visa | Covers the specific intended travel |
| Second Visa | Multi-entry, valid for up to 90 days within a 6-month period |
| One-Year Visa | Issued after two visas have been lawfully used within the previous three years |
| Long-Term Visas | The one-year visa can be followed by a 3-year and then a 5-year visa, provided previous visas were used lawfully and the passport remains valid |
Bolat made the case in Ankara on June 30, 2026, as talks continued over the EU-Turkey Customs Union and broader migration cooperation. He said the cascade system had already reduced wait times and increased the issuance of long-term visas.
"Growing trade, tourism and educational cooperation requires a visa-free environment."
