Getting a visa appointment with iData: All you need to know

NAME: Bogdan Kamuta
DATE: 09/12/2024

If you live in Türkiye (Turkey) and are thinking about a trip to the Schengen Zone portion of Europe, chances are you’ll need a Schengen visa. Which means you’ve probably already heard of iDATA. And yet, you still might find yourself asking: what exactly is iDATA? And, more importantly — how can they help me get my visa to Europe? Well, you’re in luck. Because AXA has all you need to ensure a quick and easy booking with iDATA in no time!

• What is iDATA (and what does it do)?
• Which visas can I apply for at iDATA?
• How to book an appointment with iDATA
• Locations of iDATA visa centers
• What should I bring to my iDATA appointment?
• Why choose AXA travel insurance for your iDATA visa application?

What is iDATA (and what does it do)?

Established back in 2013, iDATA is an official visa application center authorized by the German embassy and the Italian embassy in Turkey.

Like similar centers worldwide (such as VFS Global), iDATA’s main purpose is to streamline the application process for Turkish nationals (and residents) hoping to visit the two countries above.

How iDATA works

With iDATA, applicants submit their visa forms, supporting documents, and biometric data (i.e., fingerprints and photos). The company then ensures the completeness of applications and forwards them to the respective embassy or consulate for approval.

Offering multiple locations across Turkey, iDATA makes things a bit simpler by reducing both your travel and wait times.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While iDATA does make things simpler, they’re essentially just an intermediary. That is, the final decision regarding your visa always rests with the German or Italian authorities themselves.

PRO-TIP 1: And AXA here too is just the middle person, which is why you can (and should) learn more via iDATA’s official website too. It has options in English, Turkish, German, and Italian —and is fairly easy to navigate.

Which visas can I apply for at iDATA?

At iDATA, you can apply for all types of Schengen visas. The most common is usually the short-stay Schengen Visa (aka Type C, aka “tourist”). It allows travel to (and throughout) the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you want to stay in Germany and/or Italy longer, they also help process national (aka Type D) visas. These allow for stays longer than 90 days — for purposes like work, studies, and so on.

IMPORTANT: Some visas, however, require prior approval from immigration authorities in Germany or Italy — and therefore cannot be processed directly via iDATA.

So before you book that appointment, be sure to check the specific requirements for your desired visa type on the respective embassy’s website (don’t worry — we’ve got links to those below!)

PRO-TIP 2: Meanwhile — to help make sure you have all your ducks in a row for iDATA — AXA can also help with comprehensive, step-by-step guides for:

• Applying for a Schengen visa for Germany
• Applying for a German work visa
• Applying for a Schengen visa for Italy

So click around!

How to book an appointment with iDATA

Booking an appointment depends on the type of visa you’re applying for (and the country). Here are the specific steps for:

A Short-stay (aka Type C) Schengen Visas

For Germany:

1. Register for an appointment on the German Embassy’s website (which has options for Ankara,Istanbul, and Izmir).
2. iDATA assigns you an appointment (and sends instructions).
3. Confirm the appointment by paying the €32.50 service fee (approximately ₺1,146 TL) within 48 hours.

For Italy:

1. Register your appointment request on the Italian Embassy’s website (NOTE: you’ll need an account to do so, but it’s free).
2. iDATA contacts you with an appointment.
3. Confirm by paying the service fee (in this case, only €30 — or approximately ₺904) .

A National (aka Type D) visas

For both Germany and Italy:

1. Book directly via iDATA’s paid appointment system (via the official site above).
2. Pay €7.80 (approx. ₺275) to secure your spot on the waiting list.
3. iDATA informs you of your appointment date (usually within a few weeks).

And then — well, keep an eye on your email, and hope for the best!

When should I book?

It’s best to book as early as possible. Schengen visa appointments open up to six months in advance. And they should be booked no later than two weeks before your planned date of travel.

However, also keep in mind that national visas often require even more planning (due to longer processing times). So plan ahead!

Locations of iDATA visa centers

iDATA operates nine visa application centers* across Turkey (Türkiye), strategically located to serve applicants in different regions:

1. İstanbul Avrupa (Gayrettepe)
2. İstanbul Asya (Altunizade)
3. Ankara
4. Izmir
5. Bursa
6. Gaziantep
7. Antalya
8. Trabzon
9. Adana

IMPORTANT: You must visit the iDATA center in the administrative district of your relevant consulate or embassy. For example, if you live in Istanbul, you must apply at one of the Istanbul branches.

*PRO-TIP 3: For exact addresses and opening hours, consult the official iDATA website above (and/or Google Maps).

What should I bring to my iDATA appointment?

In terms of paperwork*, you’ll generally need:

• A Schengen visa application form — completed, signed, and printed (NOTE: online forms are usually available — for both Schengen and national visas — via the respective websites above);
• Your passport (valid for at least three months after your planned return, and with at least two blank pages);
• Passport photos (2, just in case);
• Purpose of travel (i.e., supporting documents, such as hotel/flight bookings, invitation letters, and so on — if applicable);
• Schengen travel insurance (which is mandatory — but more on that below!);
• Proof of Financial Means (i.e., bank statements, proof of income, declaration of sponsorship, etc.).

*PRO-TIP 4: In short, you’ll basically need the traditional documents required for a Schengen visa for your iDATA appointment — which AXA can tell you all about too.

And remember that iDATA collects biometric data during your visit — including fingerprints* and a photo. So wear your Sunday best!

*NOTE: Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.

Why choose AXA travel insurance for your iDATA visa application?

Like iDATA, AXA too can help bring you one big step closer to your trip to Germany, Italy, and the rest of the Schengen from Türkiye.

But unlike iDATA, we can also help ensure that the trip itself is a safe and worry-free one. How, you ask? Well, by providing you and your family with some affordable, top-quality Schengen travel insurance!

First off, our plans meet all the requirements for being granted your Schengen visa.

Furthermore, they require no medical exam, have no age limit, and have zero deductibles.

And along with peace of mind, AXA offers:

• 24/7 assistance;
• Free Video and Phone Medical Consultations (in English and a number of other languages) with our unique “Doctor, please!” feature;
• Up to €100,000 coverage in medical expenses, including medical repatriation & transport;
• Up to 180 days of coverage in all Schengen and European Union countries (including — depending on the chosen plan — the U.K.).

Moreover, our application process is arguably far simpler than that of the visa too. In fact, you can buy your Schengen travel insurance online in just a few clicks!

Meanwhile, the AXA travel insurance certificate — which is accepted by both all the German and Italian embassies in Turkey and iDATA — can be downloaded and printed instantly too. And we’ll email it to you as soon as you purchase your plan!

Oh, and if your visa is denied, we offer a full refund. We’ll only ask for an official explanation letter as to why your visa was refused (from iDATA or the corresponding embassy/consulate).

So compare AXA’s different benefits and Get a free AXA Schengen Travel Insurance quote today!

Because with AXA, both your iDATA appointment and your upcoming European adventure are sure to go as smoothly as possible!

• How safe is Germany to visit
• How safe is Italy to visit
• How to book an appointment with VFS Global

Can I visit iDATA without an appointment?

No, walk-ins are generally not allowed. There are a few exceptions though (such as for urgent medical reasons or specific visa categories). So consult the official iDATA website for the latest info.

Can I travel to the rest of the Schengen Zone with a German or Italian visa issued through iDATA?

Yes, a Schengen visa from Germany or Italy via iDATA allows travel to all Schengen countries. However, you must apply through the country where you'll spend the most time (or, if spending an equal amount of time in different countries — through the country you’ll enter first).

How much does a Schengen visa cost?

AXA can tell you all about Schengen visa prices (IMPORTANT: But remember that iDATA fees and Schengen visa fees are two different things).