Visas for earthquake victims who sought refuge following 6 February earthquake centred in southern Turkey have been automatically extended until August, Deutsche Welle reported on Saturday.
The extension will apply to those who arrived in Germany from Turkey and Syria with a valid visa between 6 February and 7 May and who were in the country legally on 7 May, according to the announcement made by the German Foreign and Interior Ministries on Saturday.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the decision to extend visas was a practical gesture of solidarity to allow earthquake victims to stay longer with their families while the processes of the removal of debris and reconstruction continue in Turkey.
Germany prioritised and expedited the visa process for Turkish and Syrian citizens with relatives in Germany in the wake of the earthquakes. However, the documents and conditions required from visa applicants were unchanged, and earthquake victims had to have a first-degree relative residing in Germany. The government also provided some additional facilities in the process.
Approximately 9,500 Turkish citizens were granted visas with the facilitated visa process. Additionally, around 900 Turkish citizens came to Germany on family reunion visas after the earthquakes, while 1,200 Syrian earthquake victims also received visas from Germany.