If elected, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party promises visa-free travel

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Türkiye's biggest opposition party, has pledged that if he is elected, Turkish people will be able to travel visa-free to the European Union/Schengen Area.

Kilicdaroglu made a similar declaration earlier this week for a national news program, claiming that within three months, all Turkish citizens would be free to go to the EU without a visa.

He did not, however, provide any other details on how he intends to accomplish this.

“We will come to power and win the presidency, and we will make this country a place where one can breathe freely within a year at the latest. In three months’ time, every citizen will be able to travel to Europe without a visa,” Kilicdaroglu stated.

Kilicdaroglu declared his candidature for the presidential election in May last month. According to Al Jazeera, his candidature comes amid a problem in the opposition Nation Alliance when the right-wing Good Party opposed him, originally declaring its resignation from the alliance.

While visa-free travel remains a difficult issue in Turkey, Kilicdaroglu is sure that he would be able to eliminate the need for visas for all Turkish nationals.

Because Turkey has not yet struck an agreement with the EU on visa-free travel, all of its people must get a Schengen visa before visiting the EU.

A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that permits all holders to enter and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for travel and business purposes within a six-month period.

Turkish people wanting to visit the EU must apply for the appropriate type of visa. Those planning to visit the EU for tourism must apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa.

All Türkiye nationals must provide a completed visa application form, two recently taken pictures, their passports, and a roundtrip reservation when applying for this type of visa.

In addition, tourist Schengen visa applicants must provide documentation of purchasing health insurance, booking a place to stay in the EU, and having sufficient financial resources to finance their stay, among other things.

Applicants must submit additional documents depending on their employment position, such as their employment contract, leave permission, and income tax return.

By fLEXI tEAM