For assistance with visa-related services, including making visa appointments, questions about the application process, and passport delivery, please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv/information/contact_us for full information or use contact the information below:

• Telephone (From Türkiye): +90 (850) 390-2884
• Telephone (From the U.S): +1 (703) 520-2490

If you were asked to send your passport or document to non-immigrant visa unit, please send it to the visa office where you had your interview:

Immigrant Visa Inquiries: (Returning Residents, Fiancée Visas, Family Based Visas, Employment Based Visas, Diversity Visas (Green Card Lottery), Following-to-Join Refugee and Asylum Cases, Special Immigrant Visas): Please note Ankara processes all immigrant visas. E-mail (Ankara): Question Form

Nonimmigrant Visa Inquiries: Ankara and Istanbul process nonimmigrant visas, so please direct your inquiries to the location where you applied or intend to apply.

E-mail (Istanbul): Question Form
E-mail (Ankara): Question Form
Web: usvisa-info.com

Prohibited Items: 

• Purses
• Laptops
• Cell/Mobile Phones (including iPhone & Blackberries)
• Handheld Tablets (iPad or similar) or E-Readers
• 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

Who Can Come?

Only visa applicants with scheduled appointments and parents of minor children are allowed to enter the Consular Section. Caregivers for disabled or medically infirmed applicants should contact the Consular Section for entrance permission. Other non-applicants, including translators, are not permitted to join the interview.

Note: The U.S. Embassy in Ankara conducts interviews in English, Turkish, Farsi, and Arabic. The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul offers interviews in English and Turkish. Applicants from outside of Türkiye may apply for visas in Türkiye. However, language difficulties and interviewing officers’ unfamiliarity with local conditions in other countries may make it more difficult in Türkiye to demonstrate qualifications for a visa than in the applicant’s home district or at a post designated for an applicant’s visa request.

For information on the types of nonimmigrant visas, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

Treaty Trader / Treaty Investor Visa

Applicants who meet the criteria below and would like to apply to renew their prior U.S. visas might not have to appear in-person for a visa interview.

All applicants must create an account on usvisa-info.com and pay the visa application fee. The system will then ask a series of questions. Based on the information the applicant provides, the system will determine if the applicant qualifies for a personal appearance waiver.

For applicants who do qualify for a personal appearance waiver, please note that such visas take approximately 4-6 weeks to process after they are received by the Consular Section due to reduced staffing. Once your passport is mailed to our office, we will not be able to locate your passport until your visa application has been processed. Carefully review the documents required for your visa class below. Submitting additional documentation will result in significant delays.

Note: E1/E2 visas are not eligible to renew by mail.

Who may qualify for the personal appearance waiver?

Applicants under the age of 14

• One of the parents must have a valid U.S. B1/B2 visa

Applicants over the age of 79

• Applicant must turn 80 by the time of application.
• Note: Nationals or dual nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen must appear in-person for an interview, regardless of age.

Renewals

Applicants who meet the criteria below and would like to renew their prior U.S. visas may not need an in-person interview when they apply for a visa:

• Applicants must be Turkish citizens or residents of Türkiye
• Nationals or dual nationals of Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen require an in-person interview.
• The previous visa must have been issued to you when you were age 14 or older, and you have provided 10-finger digital fingerprints.
• The previous visa must be currently valid or have expired within the last 48 months
• Bio data must not have changed (name, place of birth, and date of birth)

Applicants should only mail the required documents, specified below. Please do not include additional items; they will not be returned and may result in delays in the processing of your visa application.

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Previous original passport with U.S. visa
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.

B1/B2

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Previous original passport with U.S. visa
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.

C1/D

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Previous original passport with U.S. visa
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.
• Employment letter
• Original or copy of Seaman’s book

Students(F-M-J)

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Previous original passport with U.S. visa
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.
• Valid I-20 or DS-2019 (Applicant should use the same SEVIS number from the previous issued visa.)

Temporary Worker/Employment or Trainees (H, L, O,P,Q,R)

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Previous original passport with U.S. visa
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.
• Petition (Form I-129)

Applicants under the age of 14:

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.
• Copy of Turkish ID (nüfus cüzdanı)
• Copy of parents’ valid U.S. visa(s)
• Previous passport with U.S. visa (if applicable)

Applicants over the age of 79:

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page

One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size.  Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.

Some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Learn more.

If your application requires administrative processing, please visit here.

When Your Administrative Processing is Complete

You will receive an email when your case is completed. The email will be sent to the email address you listed on your visa application form.  For instructions on how to submit your passport, please visit: ais.usvisa-info.com/en-tr/niv/information/niv

In order to get a visa appointment at Istanbul visa section, please follow the guidance on usvisa-info.com page.

1. Complete your online DS-160 form. To fill out the DS-160 form please click https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC
2. Please visit: usvisa-info.com
3. Click on Create Account on top right side of the screen. Create user account using the: Enter Primary applicant’s PPT Number, Date of Birth & Nationality
4. View visa information and select your visa type according to your purpose of travel
5. Enter applicant(s) data information
6. Select courier delivery location
7. Select MRV Fee (Visa Application Fee) Payment method
8. Select date and time of appointment
9. Confirm date and time of appointment
10. Please review the required documentation before you appear for your interview. You can find this information on the relevant visa category page.

If you do not have internet access, you may also get an appointment by calling the Visa Information Service directly (Please make sure to complete your DS-160 Non-immigrant Visa Application before you call)

From Türkiye: +90 (850) 390-2884 From the USA: +1 (703) 520-2490

Fulbright Scholars and Participants in Other U.S. Government Sponsored Programs

Applicants with Fulbright Scholarships or other scholarships sponsored by the U.S. Government cannot schedule their appointments through the regular appointment system as they are exempted from visa application fee. To request an appointment in Ankara please complete the DS-160 electronic visa application form first and send your appointment request from here. We will schedule you for an interview and send you a confirmation e-mail. To request an appointment in Istanbul please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul by clicking here.

The following is a list of documents required for your in-person interview only:

1. Passport (for passport validity requirements please see https://www.cbp.gov/document/bulletins/six-month-club-update)
2. DS-160– printed confirmation page only.
3. One color photograph taken within the last six months against a white background, and 5cm x 5cm in size. Wearing eyeglasses is not allowed in visa photos; see photo requirements here.
4. For Iranian nationals in all non-immigrant visa categories: Original Military card and translated English copy, original birth certificate (shenasnameh), original national ID card, all previous passports.

Some additional supporting documents may be necessary, depending on the visa classification. See below for more details. Please do not send these documents for mail-in renewals.

Visitor (B1/B2)/Transit (C)

You may bring any documents you feel may support your application with you to the interview. To understand the qualifications for a B1/B2 visa please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

Student Visas (F1, F2, M1, M2)

• SEVIS payment
• I-20 form generated by SEVIS issued by the school
• Proof of your ability to cover the cost of your program.
• Additional items: CV, invitation letter, military card, research plan

Exchange Visitor Visa (J1, J2)

• SEVIS payment
• DS-2019 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status); or
• DS-7002 Form (Training / Internship Placement Plan) and,
• Proof of your ability to cover the cost of your program.
• Additional items: CV, invitation letter, military card, research plan.

Members of a Crew (D, C1/D)

• A letter from employer on letterhead stationary confirming employment with the company and the period of time in the United States
• Seamen should bring an employment verification letter, contract, and seamen’s book

Temporary Worker/Employment or Trainee (H,L,P,O,Q,R)

• For all petition-based visa types, you should bring your original petition (Form I-129) with you

Journalist (I)

• Copy of press ID as issued by employer
• Letter from employer stating occupation, whether the position is permanent or temporary, purpose of travel, and length of stay.

Note: Members of non-traditional press outlets may also be eligible for an I visa. For more information, please click here.

For Iranian nationals in all non-immigrant visa categories: Original Military card and translated English copy, original birth certificate (shenasnameh), original national ID card, all previous passports. Note: For F1 and J1 visa classifications, Iranian nationals are required to provide CV, invitation letter, military card, and research plan.

Please Read Carefully

The United States Immigration and Nationality Act requires that non-immigrant visa applicants in most categories demonstrate sufficiently strong family, social and economic ties to their place of residences. Therefore, in addition to the above, the consular officer may ask to see supporting documents explaining the purpose of the trip and the applicant’s situation in his/her place of residence. Applicants may choose to bring supporting documents that substantiate the purpose of the trip to the United States and the intention to return to the country of permanent residence after a temporary visit. You should be prepared to present evidence of your ties as necessary.

Supporting documents to substantiate your ties may include some of the following documents: Proof of employment such as employee identification card, letter of employment; proof of income such as salary statement, bank account/books; proof of ownership of a business or property; evidence of your company’s overall financial status and/or tax liability; payroll records showing personnel employed, bank statements showing deposits and withdrawals; annual income/loss statements and net worth statements. Please do not show your credit cards because we do not consider them as financial assets.

Third-country nationals must have their birth certificates/ID card (shenasname for Iranian nationals), marriage certificates if applicable, and evidence of military service or military exemption for males 18 and over with them at the time of visa interview.

An applicant intending to travel for science or technology-related purposes (such as conferences, training, research, equipment negotiation or purchase, etc.) should bring a copy of his/her CV or resume, complete list of publications, an invitation letter from the U.S. organization and any other documentation specifically related to his/her travel purpose.

Supporting documents for visa applicants travelling to the U.S. for medical purposes:

Medical evaluation report from U.S. physician and/or report about procedures that are to be performed. The report should state a specific appointment date, estimated treatment period, physician, hospital, and estimated treatment cost in the United States.

1. Proof of pre-payment for the procedures that are to be performed (such as original receipts from each of the billing medical providers).
2. Medical report stating diagnosis from applicant’s physician.
3. Financial documents demonstrating ability to pay for medical expenses.
4. For foreign officials, a report from the Board of Health or Ministry of Health and allowance proof.

Please provide original documents and English translations. However, presentation of such documents will not ensure the issuance of a visa. Approval of a visa application is ultimately determined by a consular officer in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act at the time of the interview.

The U.S. Embassies and Consulates are operating with reduced capacity and currently have only limited resources available to process visa applications. While they plan on increasing the number of applications processed and visa interview appointments as soon as possible, there is likely to be a significant wait time for these services due to a substantial backlog.  Information on wait times for residents of Turkey can be found here, and the wait time for applicants who are not residents of Turkey is currently 132 days.

If you need to request an emergency visa appointment, log into your account at the official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service site (https://ais.usvisa-info.com) and schedule the first available appointment, then select “Request Expedite” under “Group Actions” and detail the emergency (e.g. medical crisis or similar humanitarian circumstance compelling urgent and unexpected travel).

Again, please be aware that we have a very limited number of emergency visa appointment slots.  If we approve your request for an expedited appointment, we will schedule you for the first slot available. Once your appointment has been scheduled no changes can be made.  If you cannot attend your interview on a given date, you will need to reschedule your appointment by logging into your account https://ais.usvisa-info.com/

Please note that your emergency request may be denied if we do not have the appointment capacity to accommodate your request. If your request was denied, please do not send a separate email asking to reconsider.  Rest assured that we have thoroughly and carefully considered your case given the information provided. Please monitor the Embassy’s website for updates to our operating status.  https://tr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/

You can reach non-immigrant visa related questions and answers by clicking here.