Joint Statement by ESN Italy and ESN Türkiye Visa Challenges for Turkish Students in Italy
ESN Italia (Erasmus Student Network)
European association of university students whose aim is to promote & support youth mobility. Students Helping Students
As representatives of the Erasmus Student Network Italy and Türkiye, we jointly express our serious concerns regarding the significant visa challenges faced by Turkish students admitted to Italian universities for the current academic year.?
Over the past months, at least a thousand of Turkish students, accepted into undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Italian universities, have encountered delays in visa issuance.
With the deadline for visa issuance set for November 30th, 2024, these students are now facing the real possibility of being unable to enroll in their courses. This situation not only undermines their right to education but also threatens their academic and professional futures.
In this sense, it is essential to recognise the significant emotional and financial toll that these delays impose on students and their families, many of which have already made substantial investments in tuition fees, accommodation, and travel, placing their futures on hold due to circumstances beyond their control.
While the situation is particularly urgent for Turkish students, it highlights a broader issue that many international students face worldwide. Data from the ESNSurvey XV indicates that this is not an isolated case, but part of a systemic problem affecting students globally.
Education is a right that students earn through their hard work, following rigorous application processes, completing assignments, and undergoing interviews. Yet, despite meeting all the academic and procedural requirements, some students are still?unable to exercise this right because of bureaucratic obstacles. As Enrico Letta emphasized in his Much More Than a Market, the free movement of research, innovation, and education is not merely a practical necessity, it is a moral imperative for societal development. Therefore, the freedom to move, work, study, and contribute to shared human progress should be universal and not limited to the European Union borders.?
Moreover, this situation risks straining the educational and cultural exchange relationships between Italy and Türkiye. Such exchanges are vital for fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and innovation across borders.
领英推荐
Given the urgency of the situation, we call on Italian authorities, ministries, and embassies to take immediate action to resolve these delays. With the November 30th deadline fast approaching, it is crucial that these students receive their visas promptly, enabling them to begin their academic year on time.
Furthermore, we call for long-term solutions to address the ongoing visa challenges. Embassies and relevant ministries should collaborate more effectively and streamline the visa application process for all international students. A significant step? in this direction would include simplifying documentation requirements, reducing processing times, and providing timely updates on application statuses. Institutions, embassies, and ministries should work together to ensure that students are not left stranded by administrative delays and can access the educational opportunities they have earned.
Additionally, given the exceptional circumstances, we urge Italian universities to consider implementing temporary measures such as extending enrollment deadlines or allowing online participation until affected students can physically attend their courses.
In conclusion, we stand in solidarity with the Turkish students and all international students facing these challenges. We urge embassies, ministries, and relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring these students can begin their studies on time without further disruption. Education is a fundamental right, and it must not be?obstructed by unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The free movement of students is not just a matter of convenience — it is a matter of principle. We call on all stakeholders to support it fully.