Security Screening Procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment.

When the security checkpoint reaches its maximum screening capacity there are delays entering the building. This now happens frequently and interferes with those who have appointments or face legitimate emergencies.

U.S. citizens are not allowed to enter the Consular Section with visa applicants unless they meet specific requirements and have advanced authorization from the Visa Unit.

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:   

Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Interpreters/Translators: Interviews are conducted in English, Turkish and Farsi.  If you require your interview in another language, you must bring a sworn translator who is certified by a Turkish Notary Public on the day of your interview. The translator must speak English and your native language. Please note that as of March 13, 2023, only English-speaking interpreters/translators will be accepted. Please provide your interpreter’s full name, date of birth, copy of his/her ID card/passport bio page and copy of his/her translator certification by sending an email to https://forms.gle/42fn69ZosC2SHphm6 48 hours before your interview. Please make sure that your interpreter brings his/her original documents. Petitioners or family members (unless they are also applying for visa with you as a derivative applicant), cannot act as a translator.

Attorneys and petitioners are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview without prior approval from the consular section.

Derivative children under the age of 14 are no longer required to appear in person for their visa interview. This means that if your child is not the principal applicant of an IV case, such as IR2, CR2, FX, and F22, F24 and IR4 they are not required to appear in person for the interview.  Principal applicants, including children under 14 are required to appear for an interview. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this update, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail.

Security Regulations

Every person that comes to the Embassy or Consulate, along with their belongings, must go through a security screening before entering. The following items are not permitted in the Consular Section. In addition to the list below, security may decide not to admit other unlisted items into the waiting area.

Forbidden Items:

• Purses
• Laptops
• Cell/Mobile Phones (including iPhone & Blackberries)
• Handheld Tablets (iPad or similar) or E-Readers
• Smart watches
• MP3 or similar music players (iPod or similar)
• USB sticks/flash memory devices
• Cameras or Camcorders
• Portable Game Devices
• Luggage, Bags or Backpacks
• Bottled Liquids (including perfume & drinks)
• Flammable Liquids or Lighters
• Weapons or any element that can be used as a weapon, including knives, ammunition, etc.
• Narcotics, drugs, or any illegal substance, as well as medicines without a prescription.