EU: Visa policies obstruct mobility of journalists from Türkiye
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26 March 2026: PEN International joins the International Press Institute, and other press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations in calling on EU leaders to address the long-standing visa problems faced by journalists from Türkiye.
Drahoslav Stefanek, Chair of the Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM), Council of the European Union
Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division of European External Action Service (EEAS)
Beate Gminder, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (HOME), European Commission
Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission
The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights and journalists’ organizations are writing following the recent press freedom mission to Türkiye by IPI and a coalition of seven other international organisations, addressing an urgent matter that was raised repeatedly during meetings with media stakeholders in the country: the critical contradiction between the European Union’s commitment to support independent media in candidate states and current visa policies that effectively obstruct the professional mobility of Turkish journalists.
In 2025, the systemic pressure on Türkiye’s media landscape remained as entrenched as ever, continuing a long-term pattern of hostility toward independent journalism. The country had the second-highest number of press freedom violations documented on the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and third most on the Mapping Media Freedom database. This year has been marked by the criminalization of independent reporting through vaguely defined “disinformation” and “terrorism” charges, arbitrary detentions, systemic police violence, and fines on critical outlets.
Under these circumstances, a streamlined visa process is a vital lifeline for Turkish journalists seeking safe haven. Such mobility enables journalists to engage and network with European colleagues, participate in international training and fellowships, coordinate with foreign media outlets, and engage in professional exchanges that strengthen media quality and pluralism.
However, the current lengthy and unpredictable visa regime contributes to the professional isolation of Turkish journalists through several systemic failures:
· Appointment and processing delays: Journalists report excessive waiting times of up to six months just to secure an appointment, with processing taking an additional two months. These delays render professional opportunities inaccessible and prevent attendance at important international conferences.
· Arbitrary rejections and short-term visas: Many journalists report receiving visas valid only for the exact dates of a single trip or facing unexplained rejections, despite their profession and its collaborative nature.
· Procedural inconsistencies for freelancers: There is a notable lack of institutional recognition and avenues for freelance and independent journalists. We have documented cases where journalists are advised to apply for business visas but are subsequently rejected because they lack the corporate registration required, a document that is often not applicable to project-based or investigative journalism.
· Disproportionate financial strain: High cumulative costs and repeated application procedures create a significant bureaucratic and financial burden, particularly for small media outlets and independent professionals.
These barriers effectively sever Turkish journalists from their European colleagues, weakening professional coordination and cross-border collaboration on issues of shared importance.
In line with the European Union’s commitment to media freedom, we urge the EU missions and the Delegation to move beyond standard bureaucratic processes and recognize the public interest served by journalistic mobility.
We call for the establishment of a targeted “visa corridor” for recognized media professionals and those holding international press memberships.
In this context, we call on the European Commission to:
· Establish a dedicated facilitation mechanism: Ensure that journalists have access to a specific channel that recognizes professional status, even in cases where state-issued press cards are withheld for political reasons.
· Issue long-term, multiple-entry visas: This will reflect the recurring nature of cross-border reporting and reduce the financial strain on freelancer professionals and independent media organizations.
· Simplify documentation requirements: Adapt requirements to the realities of freelance journalism by moving away from a reliance on traditional, long-term employment contracts.
· Expedite processing times: Implement predictable and reduced waiting periods specifically for time-sensitive professional activities and press events.
Ensuring journalistic mobility is not a radical innovation, it is a practical adjustment within existing frameworks to support independent media and democratic accountability.
We trust that the European Commission will respond swiftly and effectively to this urgent challenge.
Signed by:
International Press Institute (IPI)
Articolo 21
Coalition For Women In Journalism
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Foreign Media Association Turkey (FMA)
IFEX
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
IPS Communication Foundation
Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
P24 Platform for Independent Journalism
PEN Denmark
PEN International
PEN Norway
PEN Sweden
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)
Note to editors:
For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, Head of Communications and Campaigns at PEN International: [email protected]