Visas

U.S. Visa Services

Visit the United States

Notice

Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation on Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of certain countries. Applicants who are subject to this Presidential Proclamation may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov.

Attention All Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

IMPORTANT: A new appointment scheduling platform for visa applicants is coming soon. For more information, please visit: Transition to New Appointment Platform.

Transition to New Appointment Platform.

Visa Services

Nonimmigrant Visa Services

Overview Expedited/Emergency Appointments Business Visa Program (BVP) Official/Diplomatic Visa Applications How Do I Apply? Non-Immigrant Visa Interview Guidelines

Overview

In general, a citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States temporarily must first obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa (NIV), which is placed in the traveler’s passport. We advise applicants not to make any travel arrangements before they physically receive their visas.  The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul are the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) processing posts in Mission Türkiye. For questions related to scheduling, please visit Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Services:

Visa Appointment Services

Expedited/Emergency Appointments

If applicants have an urgent need for travel, they may request an emergency appointment. Emergency NIV appointment requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

More Emergency Appointments Information

Business Visa Program (BVP)

The Business Visa Program (BVP) aims to expedite business visa processing for vetted companies in Türkiye, enhancing U.S. economic interests and bilateral relations. Eligible companies benefit from expedited visa appointments and dedicated communication channels.

MORE BVP Information

Official/Diplomatic Visa Applications

Government officials traveling to the United States to perform governmental functions are required to obtain a diplomatic or official visa. Detailed instructions can be found in the link provided:

More Diplomatic Visa Information

How Do I Apply?

To get a visa appointment and learn more about the application process, please carefully follow the detailed guidance provided below. This will help ensure that your application is completed accurately and efficiently.

NIV Application Guidance

Non-Immigrant Visa Interview Guidelines

Please carefully review these interview guidelines before your appointment to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Non-Immigrant Visa Interview Guidelines

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas to the United States are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. If you already have an appointment scheduled and need information on the interview process, please review the Interview Guidelines.

Overview How Do I Apply? Interview Guidelines Medical Requirements

Overview

An immigrant visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the United States to reside there permanently, whether or not that person plans to seek employment in the United States. U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas in four general categories: immediate relatives, family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the “green card” lottery.

Immigrant Visa Overview

How Do I Apply?

To apply for an Immigrant Visa, you must first have an approved petition or meet specific eligibility criteria based on your visa category. Once your petition is approved or your case is ready for processing, follow the specific instructions provided either by the National Visa Center (NVC) or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to complete your application and prepare for your visa interview.

Please visit the Application Process below to learn more about application process each visa category.

Application Process

Interview Guidelines

Please refer to the pre-interview checklist to identify the documents that you must upload to your online application and/or bring with you to the interview. To avoid delays, please carefully read the interview guideline for your immigrant visa category and follow all instructions.

Interview Guidelines

Medical Requirements

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, are required to undergo a medical examination by one of the medical doctors or clinics on the following list. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. Medical examination results from other physicians are not accepted. Please visit the website below to learn more about medical reports.

Medical Report

Administrative Process

Administrative Process for NIV Administrative Process for IV

Administrative Process for NIV

If your Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) application requires additional administrative processing, you will be informed at the end of your interview. Administrative processing may take several weeks or longer, depending on the specifics of your case. We advise you to monitor your application status online and wait for further instructions. Please do not send emails regarding your application; wait for us to contact you via email with further instructions.

More NIV Administrative Process Information

Administrative Process for IV

If your Immigrant Visa (IV) application requires additional administrative processing, you will be notified at the end of your interview. This process can take several weeks or more, depending on your case. Please regularly check the status of your application online and follow any further instructions provided. Do not send emails regarding your application; wait for us to contact you via email with further instructions.

More IV Administrative Process Information

Fraud Prevention Unit

Fraud Prevention Unit DNA Testing

Fraud Prevention Unit

Our principal mission is to safeguard U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas. Beware of persons who say they can obtain a visa for you, whether they are charging you money for the advice or offering the advice as a friend. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul do not regulate or endorse individuals or businesses that offer advice or assistance with the visa process. No one can guarantee the issuance of a visa to you. Visa eligibility can only be determined at the time of the visa interview. All U.S. government forms are free.

More Fraud Prevention Information

DNA Testing

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing is a useful tool for verifying an alleged biological relationship in conjunction with a U.S. citizenship case such as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), a minor passport or an immigrant visa application. DNA testing is always voluntary. When genetic testing appears warranted, a Consular Officer may suggest applicants undergo DNA testing to establish the validity of the relationship(s). If the applicant chooses to move forward with DNA testing, they must pay all the costs of testing and related expenses. This includes a payment made directly to the laboratory in the United States, a payment to the panel physician who will collect the DNA sample, and any courier fees incurred from sending testing kits and results between the laboratory and the embassy.

More DNA Testing Information

Contact the Visa Unit

To contact a customer service representative, please visit the our service provider for full information or use contact information below:

Telephone (From Türkiye): +90 850 390 1950
Telephone (From the U.S): +1 313 572 0883

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 (Ankara): Question Form

E-mail (Istanbul): Question Form

Visiting The Embassy or Consulates

Security Notice

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.

More Security Notice Information

Our Locations

The map below shows where we provide visa services.

Immigrant Visas

U.S. Embassy Ankara is processing all categories of immigrant and fiancé(e) visas

Immigrant Visas Information

Nonimmigrant Visas

U.S. Embassy Ankara and the U.S Consulate Istanbul process nonimmigrant visas

Nonimmigrant Visas Information

Additional Information

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers Rights and Protections for Visa Applicants

Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers

This pamphlet informs you of your legal rights in the United States as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.

Temporary Workers Rights & Protections Info

Rights and Protections for Visa Applicants

This pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights in the United States relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.

Visa Applicants Rights & Protections Info

What is a Visa?

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States.

Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?

For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the online application (form DS-160). For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms.  If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. 

Immigrant Visas Navigator

Nonimmigrant Visas Navigator