Consulate General of the United States Istanbul, Turkey

Planning to travel to the U.S. this summer?  Avoid the summer rush, apply for a visa in Istanbul this February. 

General Information

Non-immigrant visa services are provided in Istanbul by appointment only. To schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa appointment -- or for information about applying for a visa -- please contact the Visa Information Service at +90-212-340-4444. To avoid possible delays to your travel plans, please call as far in advance as possible to schedule your appointment.  (Click here to find out the current approximate wait time for visa applications in Istanbul.)  For further instructions on how to schedule an appointment for a non-immigrant visa in Istanbul, please click on the Non-Immigrant Visas link below and follow the steps in the Guide to NIV.

Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form (DS-160)

All travelers applying in Turkey for U.S. nonimmigrant visas must submit the new Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form (DS-160) via the internet at least two business days before their visa interview.

After completing and submitting the DS-160, applicants will receive instructions to print a confirmation page that includes biographical information and a bar code with confirmation number.  Each applicant must bring the confirmation page for their application in order to be admitted to the Consular Section on the day of their visa appointment.

For more information on the DS-160, please click here.

If your question is not answered elsewhere on this site, you may call the Visa Information Service at +90-212-340-4444 during business hours, or click here to e-mail the Visa Unit. The Visa Unit is available Monday through Friday between 14:30 and 16:00 at +90-212-335-9000; please press 0 for the switchboard, and ask for the Visa Unit. The Visa Unit is unable to answer phone calls regarding visa issues outside of these hours.

There is no parking available at the Consulate.  We recommend that you come to your appointment by taxi or public transportation.

Emergency Need to Travel

In case of emergency, call the Visa Information Service at +90-212-340-4444 and schedule the first available appointment.  Then send an email to NivUrgent@state.gov explaining your emergency.  Please do not send any attachments with your email.  We will telephone you promptly if an immediate interview can be arranged.

The Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara processes all immigrant visa cases for Turkey. This unit also processes Diversity Visa Lottery winners.

Please take note that the links below will take you to the corresponding information on the Ankara, Turkey Embassy site. 

• Immigrant Visas
• Non-Immigrant Visas
• Administrative Processing
• Iranian Applicants