Visa brokerage services in Türkiye are now available to foreigners

The majority of the intermediary institutions that handle visa applications for hundreds of thousands of citizens in Turkey are foreign companies. This situation is generating controversy both because of the security of personal data and because, despite its claims of "local and national," the government has failed to implement any relevant regulations.

Claims of up to $3,000 in additional fees

In the past, applications received directly by consulates were transferred to intermediary agencies due to the high volume of applications. However, especially after the pandemic, securing an appointment has become nearly impossible. As available slots sell out within minutes, allegations are emerging that applicants unable to secure an appointment are offering additional fees ranging from $500 to $3,000. This further fuels suspicions of a "black market" operating through software within the appointment system.

According to an article by Barçın Yinanç of T24 , the number of domestic companies operating in this field in Turkey is very limited. VFS Global , which holds the largest share in visa intermediation services, was founded in India in 2001 and operates in more than 140 countries. VFS Global, which manages applications for more than 30 countries in Turkey , was acquired by US-based Blackstone in 2021. Allegedly, Blackstone intends to terminate its partnership in Turkey and run the operation alone. This would place all personal data of Turkish citizens entirely in the hands of foreign companies.

There are almost no local actors left

Meanwhile, Indian-based BLS expanded its market presence in Turkey with the acquisition of IDATA . Aside from a few smaller Turkish companies like Kosmos (for Greece ) and As Vize (for Hungary , Portugal , and Slovenia ), the sector is virtually devoid of domestic players.

According to experts, there is no comprehensive legislation regulating the oversight of brokerage firms. As a result, uncertainty prevails regarding both data security and the potential for applicants to face legal challenges. While some European countries require applicants to be notified of their appointment date within three days as a solution to the appointment black market, Türkiye lacks a similar regulation.

Despite the government's frequent rhetoric of "local and national," it's striking that Turkish companies are given virtually no leeway in visa procedures. Experts believe this poses serious risks not only to the economy but also to national security.