Last updated: December 8, 2022
We understand your concern about visas and travel in light of the continuing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and appreciate your patience as we safely resume our operations.
American Citizen Services: The United States Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, the U.S. Consulate in Adana, and the Consular Agency in Izmir have resumed U.S. citizen services in all locations.
Visa Services: The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul are transitioning towards more routine visa processing.
Currently, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara has resumed immigrant visa processing for all categories of immigrant visas; however, nonimmigrant visa services are limited to diplomatic and official visas, cases involving urgent medical or significant humanitarian issues, and significant US Government or economic interest cases. Previously scheduled nonimmigrant visa appointments for Ankara are in the process of being rescheduled to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul has resumed all categories of nonimmigrant visa services. Please monitor appointment availability at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv
While the Embassy and Consulate aim to schedule appointments and process cases as soon as practicable, there are likely to be increased wait times for completing services due to substantial backlogs. Wait times for appointments will also be lengthy due to the pandemic.
DNA Testing: As of May 18, 2022 the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and December 5, 2022 the U.S. Consulate General Istanbul have resumed DNA sample collection and are currently scheduling DNA test collection appointments for either U.S. immigrant visas or U.S. passport and citizenship services. This includes DNA testing for cases referred from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For more information, please visit: https://tr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/DNA-Testing
Please note laboratories must not put any value on customs form, or the DNA kits will be undelivered to the US Mission in Türkiye.
| Location | Citizen Services | Visa Services | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passports | Consular Reports of Birth Abroad | Notary Service | Immigrant and Fiancé Visas | Nonimmigrant Visas | |
| Ankara | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 |
| Istanbul | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | N/A | 🟢 |
| Adana | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟡 | N/A | N/A |
| Izmir | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟡 | N/A | N/A |
| Current Service Status | |
| 🟢 | Full Services |
| 🟡 | Limited Services |
| 🔴 | Emergency Services |
U.S. citizens living in Turkey are eligible for passport renewal by mail. If all the following are true of your most recent U.S. passport, you may be eligible:
- Undamaged and can be submitted with your application,
- Issued when you were age 16 or older,
- Issued within the last 15 years, and
- Issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change.
Visit https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/renew-a-passport/ for instructions on how to renew your passport by mail. Processing time is normally about 3-4 weeks. We return passports to your address in Turkey via UPS. The courier company charges a fee for the service on delivery.
For nonimmigrant visa applicants: The U.S. Mission to Turkey understands that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date. All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Appointments may be made here.
If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided on the FAQ page to request an emergency appointment.
To schedule an in-person appointment for a consular service:
Ankara
American Citizen Services: Full services
Appointment Requests for Passport, CRBA, or notarial services are available here.
Visa services:
- Immigrant visas: The National Visa Center schedules most immigrant visa appointments. For more information, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing.html If your file is currently at the National Visa Center (NVC) and is documentarily qualified, you will receive a notification when the appointment is scheduled. Due to a backlog in scheduling, there is a delay between when your case is documentarily qualified at NVC and when your case is scheduled for an appointment.
- Nonimmigrant visas: Diplomatic and official visas and emergency services only. For diplomatic or official visas, please email Ankaradiplomaticvisas@state.gov. If you have an urgent medical or humanitarian issue, please see Emergency Visa Requests at https://tr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/
Istanbul
American Citizen Services: Full services
Appointment Requests for Passport, CRBA, or notarial services are available here.
Visa services:
- Nonimmigrant visas: Please schedule your Nonimmigrant visa appointment at: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv
- Immigrant visas: Immigrant visas are not processed in Istanbul. Please see U.S. Embassy Ankara’s operational status.
Izmir
American Citizen Services: Full services
Given limited staffing, ACS appointments at the U.S. Consular Agency in Izmir are manually scheduled. Please email: Izmir@state.gov
Visa services: Not available at this location. Please see the operational status for U.S. Embassy – Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul.
Adana
American Citizen Services: Full services
Appointment Requests for Passport, CRBA, or notarial services are available here.
Visa services: Not available at this location. Please see the operational status for U.S. Embassy – Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul.
FAQ
Q) Why can’t I apply for my immigrant visa at a consular section in Turkey other than Ankara?
- The Consular Section in Ankara is the only post in Turkey with staff trained and equipped to process immigrant visas. Relevant law requires that applicants apply for immigrant visas in person. This requirement cannot be waived.
Q) How long will it take to schedule my immigrant visa appointment?
- U.S. Embassy Ankara is processing all categories of immigrant and fiancé(e) (K1 and K2) visas. As a result of the suspension of routine visa services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a backlog in all types of visa categories.
- It is not possible to provide precise wait times for immigrant visa appointments, as facilities, staffing resources, and local conditions all affect capacity and scheduling
Q) What steps are being taken to protect customers from the spread of COVID-19?
- The health and safety of our workforce and customers will remain paramount. Our embassies and consulates have implemented multiple safeguards to keep staff and customers safe, in accordance with local health and safety regulations.
- Please reschedule your appointment if you have had cold or flu-like symptoms in the past 14 days, such as a fever, shortness of breath, or a persistent cough.
Q) Do I need to wear a mask when attending my consular appointment?
- For health and safety of our staff and visitors, we require all visitors over age two to wear masks. If there is a medical reason you are not able to wear a mask, please contact the consular section at least one business day in advance of your appointment.
Q) Is my situation an emergency? I need to go the United States immediately.
- Expedited processing is only approved in the most urgent cases.
- For immigrant visas: If your case is still at the National Visa Center and you are experiencing a medical or humanitarian emergency, please visit the following website and include all relevant documents and information regarding your situation: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html
- If you already have a scheduled appointment and need to request an earlier appointment due do a medical or humanitarian emergency, please log into your account at the official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service site https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and select “Request Expedite” under “Group Actions” and detail the emergency.
- For nonimmigrant visas: If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://tr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ to request an emergency appointment.
Q) Is transferring cases between Ankara and other Posts possible?
- We are not accepting transfer cases from other posts except in cases of medical or humanitarian emergencies. If you wish to transfer your case from Ankara to another post, please contact the US Embassy or Consulate that you want to process your case and request they transfer your case from Ankara. If they agree, they will request the file directly from Ankara.
Q) What about my MRV fee that expired while routine services were suspended?
- All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date. All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee.
