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The
latest news from Turkish publications and our members.
Every Briton entering Turkey can stay for a total of 90 days, but those that
are here full-time have been able to stay in Turkey long-term by relying on
back-to-back stays by taking a day trip to Greece before returning to Turkey and
renewing their regulation 90 days.
But that is now due to end on the 14th July 2010, with one of the most far reaching changes in a
decade.
Britons are now being issued with a stamp on their passport on entry to Turkey
that states they can only stay in Turkey for 90 days in 180 days.
If they were to complete a full 90 day block, they would then have to leave the
country for the remainder of the 180 days and only then could they re-enter.
If they complete a 90-day block, then the only viable alternative –
particularly if they live here full-time – is to apply for a residency visa,
which varies from one-day to five years (This however can be quite expensive at approximately
£400 per year).
The new stamp allows multiple visits which would provide flexibility for those
people who like to come out on holiday more than once a year. The new rules
mean you can stay a total of up to 90 days, split into separate visits over
a 180 day period - so for example, you could do 30 days in May, another 30
days in July and another 30 days in September, but within 180 days overall from
the date of issue of your visa.
However, there is a possibility that residents will not know this until they
leave the country on their old 90-day stamp, and re-enter when the new stamp
will be issued and their 90 day stay in 180 kicks in.
Effectively, anyone doing a full 90-day block, will face major fines for over
staying or be kicked out of the country for the remainder of the 90 days.
The new stamp says: “Multiple entry visa valid for an intended stay of no more
than 90 days per period.180 days duration begins on the date of entry to Turkey.
Holder has no right to work.”
This compares to the old stamp stating: “Multiple entry visa valid for 90
days. Duration begins on the date of entry to Turkey. Holder has no right to
work.”
It seems the changes affect nationals from 44 countries including those from
Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Spain. Countries not
affected include France, Germany and Italy.
The impact on this could see ferry cruises to the Greek islands being
particularly hit hard. For other British residents, it could be the final nail
in the coffin to staying here full-time rather than shell out for a residency
visa, which was hiked up by a massive percentage at the start of the year.
Ed.
Protesters to march in Istanbul against Internet bans
Turkey’s strict approach to Internet freedom, which has resulted in
many websites being censored, will be protested with a march in Istanbul on
Saturday.
Demonstrators will gather at the city’s central Taksim Square at 5 p.m. to
begin their protest.
The march is supported by many popular Turkish websites, including
sourtimes.org, zaytung.com and bobiler.org, along with other groups such as
“Sansüre Sansür” (Censor Censorship) and “Sansüre Karşı Ortak
Platform” (Joint Platform Against Censorship).
The protesters are demanding that Law No. 5651, which has resulted in access
to more than 5,000 Internet sites being banned in Turkey, be repealed and access
to the sites affected by the law be re-established. An additional 500 websites
are banned by various other laws; the protesters are demanding that Turkish
Internet users be allowed to access these sites as well.
The official website of the march is www.sansurekarsiyuruyus.com
From Turkish Daily News 18-07-2010)
Izmir, the 3rd largest City in Turkey and the 2nd
largest sea port.
Following the Turkish revolutionary war
much of the city needed to be rebuilt; as a result the city today
is an interesting mixture of modern High
rise buildings with wide tree lined boulevards. There are still
many traditional houses and chateaus hidden away to discover
though.
Izmir enjoys a temperate climate with mild
winters and warm summers, which is probably why the street life is
so lively. A walk on the Kordon reveals an endless line of
restaurants, Bistros, Bars, Coffee shops and Tea Houses all
spilling onto the street. In many cases so close together it is
often difficult to know exactly which place you are actually
relaxing in.
 A visit to Izmir can not be complete
without spending a few hours wandering round the Market Area of
Kemer Alti. This is a bustling Bazaar where literally anything can
be purchased. It is a confusing warren of small allies, dead ends,
connecting squares, shopping centers, offices, workshops, cinemas,
Mosques and just about anything else you can think of, there is
even a renovated Karavan Sarai hidden in there. You are pretty
much guaranteed to lose your way, but don't panic you will find
your way out eventually
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by
CoolBoy
» Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:10 am
Hi Folks,
I spotted this article in the Hurriyet Daily News a few days back (please
allow for the fact that this is a translation) and it illustrates what I have
been thinking for some time.
I think property sales to foreigners has gone down the drain here and the
Turks have nobody to blame but themselves.
I also think that the whole rip-off culture is now effecting the tourist
industry.
KUSADASI -
Dogan News Agency - Monday July 13, 2009
Many foreigners who bought
property in the resort town of Kusadasi are selling up, according to official
figures, while one real estate expert has said foreign-home owners feel
helpless and deceived in Turkey.
The Kusadasi Land Registry Directorate has announced that of the 1,100 house
sales since the beginning of the year, over 100 belonged to foreigners selling
their houses to Turks. It is the fist time the town has such a high number of
house sales by foreigners.
The vice chairman of Kusadasi Real Estate Agents Association, or
KUSEMDER, told the Dogan news agency that foreigners who bought property in
Turkey have lost their faith in the country. “Foreigners who bought property
have been dealing with deed issues for years,” he said. “They do not have
a place to apply when having problems. They want a Turk to help them with
their problems, and that the Turk sometimes does not have good intentions.”
Bernie Glasgow, a British citizen who bought a house in Kusadasi last year, is
one of several foreigners who think they have been deceived. “I still
haven’t got my deeds yet, and I hear everyday how some other foreigner is
conned just like me,” he said. “I cannot sleep, that is why I have put my
house on sale to get rid of the stress. I want to leave, and I don’t think I
will be back in Kusadasi again, even for a vacation.”
57 year old Sue Emmings had a similar experience, reported British paper the
Western Morning News on its Web site. Sue spent about 75,000 euros buying and
furnishing a two-bedroom apartment in Güllük, Bodrum.
She went through all the proper legal channels to buy the ground-floor flat in
the pristine new development. But she never received the deeds to the property
and two weeks ago discovered a Turkish woman had "bought" her flat
and was demanding rent for it.
Sue said “Two weeks ago this local Turkish woman said she had bought my
apartment and she did have the deeds,” she was quoted by the Web site.
"She says she was sold my apartment in June last year. Well I bought it
in September 2007 and I have made several trips out there to furnish it and
take holidays. "I cannot afford to spend thousands of pounds on legal
fees to fight this. I feel so stupid but what has happened is totally
criminal."
Yildirim said property sales to foreigners is about to stop. “All foreigners
I know want to sell their houses and leave,” he said. “If precautions are
not taken and we don’t do something to address the problems, the situation
could also have negative effect on tourism.
Interesting Eh!
CoolBoy
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