Germany Extends Validity of Visas Issued to Turkish Earthquake Victims Until August
Announcing the news, the Ministry of Interior of Germany said that all those affected who entered the country between February 6 and May 7, 2023, with a valid Germany visa and who are still legally residing in the country will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a residence permit until August 6, 2023.
This means that all Turkish nationals who left their homes due to the earthquake to stay temporarily with their relatives in Germany will be able to do so for another three months without undergoing additional requirements, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the Ministry explained that the exemption from the requirement to obtain a residence permit applies only to nationals of Türkiye who have received a German visa through the simplified procedure and are currently legally residing in the country.
“An appointment with an immigration office is not necessary. The exemption from the requirement for a residence permit expires when you leave the federal territory,” the Ministry stressed.
Commenting on the decision that the Ministry has taken, the Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, said that the country wants to offer perspective to those affected.
Moreover, Minister Faeser said that the fact that Turkish earthquake victims are being given a little more time with their families while reconstruction work in their home country progresses is a practical sign of solidarity.
“We are extending the temporary stay in Germany for Turkish earthquake victims by three months until the beginning of August without any red tape. This gives those affected a secure perspective, and we relieve the immigration authorities of further procedures,” the statement of Minister Faeser said.
Shortly after the earthquake in Türkiye took place, the Ministry of Interior of Germany decided to apply a simplified visa procedure for all those affected and started issuing temporary visas with an initial validity of 90 days.
Data show that since February 13, when Germany started to apply simplified visa rules, around 9,500 visas for temporary stay in Germany have been issued to Turkish earthquake victims.
Moreover, about 900 nationals of Türkiye from the earthquake areas have received visas for family reunification in Germany, meaning that they are currently living with their families legally.
Germany also prioritised visa applications for nationals of Syria affected by the earthquake. Data shows that more than 1,200 nationals of Syria who lived in the affected areas have received visas, most of them being for family reunification.
