If you live in Türkiye or nearby, U.S. visa services in Türkiye run through two visa-processing posts: the Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul. This guide explains which post handles which visas, how to book an appointment, where to find current wait times, who may renew without an interview, what applies to people who are not Turkish citizens, and what the U.S. missions in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan say about their visa services.
Checked September 26, 2026; consular operations change often — confirm on the embassy website.
| Post | Visa services listed by the embassy |
|---|---|
| U.S. Embassy Ankara | Nonimmigrant visas, and all immigrant and fiancé(e) visa categories for Türkiye |
| U.S. Consulate General Istanbul | Nonimmigrant visas |
| U.S. Consulate Adana | Not listed as a visa-processing post |
| U.S. Consular Agency Izmir | Listed for U.S. citizen services, not visas |
The embassy lists these customer service numbers for visa questions: +90 850 390 1950 from Türkiye and +1 313 572 0883 from the United States. Applicants with an urgent need to travel may request an emergency appointment, which the embassy considers case by case. The embassy also runs a Business Visa Program that gives vetted companies in Türkiye expedited business visa appointments.
The embassy warns that it does not endorse visa consultants, that no one can guarantee a visa, and that all U.S. government forms are free.
The State Department publishes estimated appointment waits for every post in its Global Visa Wait Times tool. When we checked on September 26, 2026, the page showed “Last updated: 17-SEP-2026” and these estimates:
| Post | B1/B2 average wait | B1/B2 next available | F, M, J next available | Petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q) next available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankara | 2.5 months | 4.5 months | Less than 0.5 month | Less than 0.5 month |
| Istanbul | Not available | 4.5 months | 2 months | Less than 0.5 month |
The State Department counts months in 30-day increments and says its estimates do not guarantee an appointment within a specific time. Check the live tool before you plan travel.
Under the State Department’s interview waiver update, effective October 1, 2025, the categories that may qualify for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview are:
Every applicant must also apply in the country of nationality or usual residence, must never have been refused a visa (unless the refusal was overcome or waived), and must have no apparent or potential ineligibility. Consular officers may still require an in-person interview for any reason. The appointment system tells you which route applies once you enter your details.
Nonimmigrant visas. The State Department says applicants should schedule their interview at the embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. If you apply based on residence, you must be able to show that you live in the country, for example with a residence permit, and the consular officer decides whether your evidence is enough. People who apply outside these locations should expect significantly longer waits, and their fees are not refunded or transferred. The policy does not apply to A, G, C-2, C-3 and NATO applicants or to diplomatic-type and official-type visas.
Immigrant visas. The embassy in Türkiye states that immigrant visa applicants are now generally required to interview in their country of nationality or in the consular district of their place of residence. Since November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center schedules applicants in their place of residence or, if requested, in their country of nationality. To move a case after scheduling, applicants must ask NVC through its Public Inquiry Form. Rare exceptions are possible for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.
Many of our clients live in or come from the wider region. Below is only what each mission’s official visa page said when we checked. Always read the page for your post before you apply.
Regional policy notes as of September 26, 2026: the State Department’s immigrant visa pause list includes Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. Its list of countries subject to B1/B2 visa bonds includes Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Nationals of Turkmenistan should also check Presidential Proclamation 10998, which lists Turkmenistan with partial restrictions.
Ozek Law Firm attorneys are admitted in Maryland, New York and the District of Columbia. California matters are handled with California-licensed co-counsel. Immigration law is federal, so we represent immigration clients across the U.S. and worldwide. Fees are quoted at the consultation because the scope of each case varies. The decision on any visa belongs to the consular officer, and no lawyer can guarantee a result.
Tolga Ozek founded Ozek Law Firm and has spent more than 13 years guiding individuals, families, investors and companies through U.S. immigration and business law, in English and Turkish. He is admitted in Washington, D.C., Maryland and New York.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara. According to the embassy, Ankara processes all immigrant visa and fiancé(e) visa categories for Türkiye. The Consulate General in Istanbul handles nonimmigrant visas only.
The embassy’s contact page lists visa services only at the Embassy in Ankara (immigrant and nonimmigrant) and the Consulate General in Istanbul (nonimmigrant). Adana is not listed as a visa-processing post.
The embassy directs applicants to the official appointment site for Türkiye, ustraveldocs.com/tr/en. The embassy moved to this platform on May 30, 2025. You first complete the DS-160 form on ceac.state.gov.
The State Department says nonimmigrant visa applicants should apply in their country of nationality or residence, and must be able to show residence if they apply based on residence. If you live in Türkiye, you can generally apply there. Applying elsewhere may mean much longer waits, and the fee is not refundable or transferable.
Possibly not. Since October 1, 2025, renewals of B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visas may qualify for an interview waiver if you apply within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, the prior visa was issued for full validity, you were at least 18, you apply in your country of nationality or usual residence, you have never been refused a visa (unless it was overcome or waived) and there is no apparent ineligibility. A consular officer can still require an interview.
The State Department’s wait time tool, last updated September 17, 2026 when we checked, showed about 4.5 months to the next available B1/B2 appointment at both Ankara and Istanbul. These estimates change often and do not guarantee an appointment date, so check the live tool.
Türkiye was not on the State Department’s list of 75 affected nationalities when we checked on September 26, 2026. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan were on the list. The list can change, so check the official page before you plan.
Yes. The State Department’s treaty list shows Türkiye with both E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) status. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are listed for E-2 only. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were not on the list when we checked.
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