Suspension of Visa Services Between US and Turkey

Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey reached the boiling point with the recent arrest of Metin Topuz.  U.S. consular employee Topuz was charged over alleged links to Pennsylvania-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen.  The arrest led to an announcement that the U.S. would suspend all applications by Turkish nonimmigrants seeking visas to the U.S.  Such visas include H-1B, L-1, students, and tourists, effective immediately.  The announcement is not expected to impact immigrant visa services, but details are still scarce.  It remains unclear how long the suspension will last.

In response to the suspension of U.S. visas, the Turkish government immediately responded with the suspension of visa services to U.S. citizens, effective October 8, 2017.  According to the government’s announcement, this includes the issuance of physical “sticker” visas at border posts, and the online Turkish electronic visa (e-visa).  

Ellis Porter will update this page as additional information is provided by officials.