Turkey's Trade Ministry has launched an investigation into seven companies accused of using automated bot software to secure Schengen visa appointment slots [1].

This probe targets the systemic manipulation of visa booking platforms, which has effectively created a black market for travel documents. By automating the capture of scarce appointments, these intermediaries prevent ordinary citizens from accessing the legal application process through standard channels.

Authorities are focusing on the activities of these seven firms [1]. The investigation centers on how the companies allegedly used bots to scrape and reserve slots on the VFS Global and iDATA platforms. These platforms are the primary intermediaries used by various European consulates to manage the high volume of visa requests from Turkish citizens.

According to the ministry, the use of such software turns a public service into a lucrative business for a small number of operators. The bots can identify and book open slots in milliseconds, which is faster than any human user could navigate the website. Once the slots are secured, the intermediary companies allegedly sell these appointments to applicants at inflated prices.

This practice has intensified the existing difficulty for Turkish travelers seeking entry into the Schengen Area. While the scarcity of appointments is a known issue, the Trade Ministry said the bot-driven hoarding of slots exacerbates the problem by removing available dates from the public view.

The ministry is now reviewing the operational methods of the suspected firms to determine the scale of the manipulation. Officials have not yet announced specific penalties, but the investigation aims to dismantle the software-driven monopoly on visa appointments [1].

“The Trade Ministry has launched an investigation into seven companies accused of using automated bot software”

The investigation highlights a growing intersection between digital automation and diplomatic bureaucracy. By targeting 'appointment scalping,' Turkey is attempting to protect the integrity of the visa process and reduce the financial burden on travelers who are currently forced to choose between waiting months for a slot or paying black-market premiums to intermediaries.