Information on U.S.-Turkey Mutual Visa Suspension
October 9, 2017
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Executive Summary
A diplomatic dispute has resulted in the following travel restrictions between the United States and Turkey:
- U.S. citizens will not be issued Turkish sticker visas, e-visas or border visas on or after October 9, 2017.
- U.S. citizens already holding valid sticker visas, e-visas or border visas issued prior to October 9, 2017 can enter Turkey.
- U.S. citizens with valid work and/or residence cards can travel in and out of Turkey at this time.
- Nonimmigrant visa services at the U.S. Mission to Turkey are currently suspended. Immigrant visa services are not affected.
These restrictions are in place until further notice.
The situation
The United States has suspended nonimmigrant visa services at the U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey, after the arrest of a Turkish employee of the embassy. In response, Turkey has imposed travel restrictions on U.S. citizens traveling to Turkey.
Travel restrictions on U.S. citizens traveling to Turkey
- Suspension of new visa issuance. Effective October 9, U.S. citizens cannot obtain Turkish physical sticker visas, e-visas or border visas. U.S. citizens arriving in Turkey today, October 9, may not be allowed to purchase a sticker visa at the Turkish border, passport police officers have indicated.
- Effect on current visa holders. U.S. citizens holding valid sticker visas, e-visas or border visas issued prior to October 9, 2017 can enter Turkey.
- Effect on inactivated visa holders. Holders of e-visas or Assembly, Maintenance and Service (AMS) visas issued prior to October 9 but that are not yet activated by an entrance to Turkey prior to October 9 will not be allowed to enter Turkey.
- Effect on work/residence permit holders. U.S. citizens with valid work and/or residence cards can travel in and out of Turkey at this time. It is not yet known whether or how they will be affected in the future.
- Duration of restrictions. The restrictions on U.S. citizens were imposed on October 8, and will remain in place until further notice.
- More information. If you have questions about the visa restrictions, contact your designated Fragomen professional. We will provide updates as they become available.
Impact of nonimmigrant visa suspension at U.S. posts in Turkey
- Nonimmigrant visa suspension. The U.S. Mission to Turkey has suspended all nonimmigrant visa services at its diplomatic facilities in Turkey, according to a statement released yesterday. This includes B-1/B-2, H-1B and L-1 visa issuance.
- Immigrant visa services. Immigrant visa services are not affected by the suspension.
- Current visa holders. Although the U.S. government has not addressed current visa holders, Turkish nationals holding valid U.S. visas should not be affected by the suspension and should be able to travel to the United States, provided they are otherwise admissible.
- More information. If your organization has Turkish nationals with U.S. travel needs, please contact your Fragomen professional to discuss options, including the possibility of obtaining a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. consulate in another country.
We worked closely with the Bener Law Office in Istanbul to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
