Turkish citizens seeking to visit European Union (EU) countries are growing increasingly concerned about the rejection of Schengen visas and long delays in visa processing.

The situation has caused frustration among Turkish nationals who have to wait for months for entry into EU countries, only to be denied access.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has labelled it “political blackmail,” while the chair of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB), Firuz Bağlıkaya, refers to it as a “systemic blocking.”

Bağlıkaya on Wednesday highlights the economic impact, stating that the visa denials and delays pose a serious loss for travel agencies organizing tours abroad for Turkish citizens.

The rejection rates have been mounting over the past year, preventing Turkish tourists from travelling to EU countries.

Turkish citizens voiced grievances about the lengthy processing times and the growing number of visa rejections, especially when it comes to visiting their spouses residing in Europe.