U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Turkey

Turkey
Republic of Turkey

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2 2 None Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-6 10 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO-7 1 None Multiple 24 Months
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Turkey’s e-Government website offers users access to all public services from a single entry-point. To use e-Government, you have to apply at PTT (Turkish Postal Services) Centers by showing your residence permit bearing your foreigner number. Foreigners residing in Turkey for at least six months, for any purpose, receive a Foreigner Identification Number, which is different from the Turkish Identification Number.  Visit https://tckimlik.nvi.gov.tr/ Home to make an inquiry by either entering your Residence Permit Number (İkamet Tezkere No.: the number on the first page of your Residence Permit, e.g. 1-112233), or your personal information.  Upon your inquiry, you will be given an 11 digit number generally starting with 99. Take a print-out of this inquiry and submit it to the advisor who is responsible for your department in the Registrar’s Office.  There is a possibility that the inquiry may not give you a number, which means that you have not been assigned this number yet.  In this case, you will need to go to the Turkish National Police/Foreigners Unit in Ankara (Ankara Emniyet Müdürlüğü/Yabancılar Şubesi) to learn your Foreign National Identity Number. Once you obtain the number, submit it to the Registrar’s Office as instructed above.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates


Available

Fees:  There are no fees.

Document Name: Extract of Vital Record (Vukuatlı Nüfus Kayıt Örneği )

Issuing Authority: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü) and e-Government website.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Government of Turkey seal in red color placed at right bottom side of the document - white paper with black ink. Signed by preparer and approver. Currently available in A4 sized paper.  It is a chart printed in landscape format with the holder’s name, last name, father’s name, mother’s name, PDOB, Marital Status on the first line. The following lines would list holder’s family members and their biographic information written in the next columns in the same order. If it is obtained through e-Government website, the document would have a barcode on upper right instead of red stamp and signatures.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Head of the Registry Office (Nüfus Müdürü)

Registration Criteria: Birth certificates are available to all Turkish citizens. For non-Turkish persons, they are available only if the birth was registered with the Turkish authorities during the parents’ stay in Turkey with a legal residency permit. This document is not available for children born in Turkey during a temporary or illegal stay of the parents or who were on a diplomatic status. Such individuals may present hospital records, baptismal or equivalent religious records or documents issued by their own governments.

Procedure for Obtaining: Birth certificates can be obtained through the e-Government website or by personally applying to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü) or the Turkish Consulates abroad.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available at General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü), the e-Government website and at the Turkish Consulates.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: This document is not available for children born in Turkey during a temporary or illegal stay of the parents or who were on a diplomatic status. Such individuals may present hospital records, baptismal or equivalent religious records or documents issued by their own governments.

Comments: The legitimacy of the document obtained at e-Government can be verified online with its barcode number. Vukuatlı Nüfus Kayıt Örneği is requested as this document includes all family members.

 

Death Certificates


Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Extract of Death Record (Ölüm Belgesi)

Issuing Authority: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals or colors for the death certificate. The issuing office puts a rubber stamp on the document with a signature of the official. Turkish citizens can print electronic versions directly from the e-government.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Head of the Registry Office (Nüfus Müdürü)

Registration Criteria: A family member obtains a death report from the family doctor or a hospital where the cause of death is written, and applies at the Civil Status Office to register the death in the Act of Deaths Record and in the online National Registry of Civil Status.

Procedure for Obtaining: The Death Records of Turkish and non-Turkish citizens are maintained by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship. An extract of the records (Ölüm Belgesi/Extract of Death Record) can be obtained by applying to any Civil Registration Office in Turkey.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available at the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü)

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  If you wish to obtain a certified copy of death certificate of a deceased relative out of Turkey, you are required to contact the relevant Diplomatic Mission of Turkey in that country.

Comments: Some municipalities provide services for deceased information check through e-Government.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available After October 4, 1926 only the civil marriages performed by marriage officers are valid in Turkey. Religious marriages/ceremonies, while still performed, are not legally valid.

As of the end of 2017, a new law has been created which authorizes muftis to perform an official marriage ceremony.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Marriage Certificate (Uluslararası Aile Cüzdanı)

Issuing Authority: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Maroon booklet in Turkish and French. Translation in several languages provided at the last pages of the booklet.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Marriage Officer

Registration Criteria: An official who presided over the marriage ceremony will do the registration. However, the notification should be done within ten days following the date of marriage.

Procedure for Obtaining:  The marriage certificate is obtained on the ceremony day or, if it gets lost, it can be obtained from the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: If the marriage is performed outside of Turkey, you must notify the local Turkish Consulate within 30 days of the date of marriage. 

A Turkish national and a foreigner or two foreigners with different nationalities can get married in Turkey, which can be done only by the competent Turkish authorities.

Two foreigners from the same nationality can marry in Turkey either in the offices of their own country's embassy or consulate or in the Turkish Marriage Offices, run by local municipalities. However, they have to register their marriage with the local authorities. The foreigner will need to update their marriage status with the Director General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) soon after the date of the marriage, typically in 20 working days. 

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Divorce decree ( Boşanma İlamı)

Issuing Authority: Family court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 sized court document, should say ‘Karar’ (Judgement) on top right corner

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge

Registration Criteria: If both parties agree to have a final decision then the court will send the decision to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship for registration.

Procedure for Obtaining: The divorce decree is available from the court granting the divorce.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available from the court granting the divorce.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: The Extract of Turkish Vital Record (Nüfus Kayıt Örneği) explains the events of a person in detail. If the applicant brings a current Vital Record, but cannot provide the divorce decree for any accurate reason, the divorce decree requirement might be waived.

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Adoption Decree (Evlat Edinme Mahkeme Kaydı)

Issuing Authority: Family court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 sized court document with wet seal (usually grey or blue) at the bottom of the document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge

Registration Criteria: Please visit http://adoptions.state.gov for detailed information on registering adoptions in Turkey.

Procedure for Obtaining: Please visit http://adoptions.state.gov for detailed information on procedures on obtaining adoption certificates in Turkey.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available from the court granting the adoption.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Detailed information on the Turkish adoption procedures is available on the Turkish Ministry of Family’s website:
cocukhizmetleri.aile.gov

Identity Card

Available. Starting from January 2017 new Turkish ID cards (Kimlik Kartı) are available. The old versions will still be valid.

Fees:  16 Turkish Lira

Document Name: ID card (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kimlik Kartı – new version / Nüfus Cüzdanı – old version)

Issuing Authority: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Nüfus Cüzdanı – the old version is a laminated, wallet-sized card with a color photograph of the bearer over 14, blue for male, pink for female citizens.

Kimlik Kartı – The new version is credit card size, chipped with a color photograph of the bearer over 14. There is no color differentiation between the genders.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior

Registration Criteria: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship

Procedure for Obtaining: ekimlikrandevu.nvi.gov

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available from the local authority (mukhtar) or a notary.

Alternate Documents: Birth Certificate (Nüfus Kayıt Örneği)

Exceptions: None

Comments: Immigrant visa applicants are not required to provide Turkish National ID cards.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available: Police certificates from Turkey are known as “ARSIV KAYITLI ADLI SICIL KAYDI”. It is mandatory for the applicants that they provide the archived police records. The document is also available at the e-government website. The legitimacy of the document can be verified online with the barcode number. This document is available in Turkish, English, French, Italian and German. When requesting the archived police certificate (arşivli kayıtlı adli sicil kaydi), applicants must specifically request that both current and archived records be shown on the document. The report will indicate the presence of a criminal record even if the convicted person was released after completing the sentence or was pardoned by an amnesty. The document lists each section of the conviction and sentence. Crimes are supposed to be entered into the system within three days of conviction. For crimes of moral turpitude, records for crimes committed by children between 11-14 years old are purged in 2-5 years; between 15-18 years old are purged in 5-10 years; crimes committed by adults are purged in 5-10 years. Multiple crimes are not purged. Please note that if you are currently living outside of Turkey and would like to request a police certificate, you should not contact the Turkish National Police directly.  Rather, you should either obtain it online through the e-government website or contact the nearest Turkish Consulate in the country where you reside to request the information.  Please be sure to sign your request and include a copy of a valid identity card with your request.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Arşiv Kayıtlı Adli Sicil Kaydı

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The electronic version has a barcode at the right, lower corner. The regular version has a red seal of the public prosecutor.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Public prosecutor

Registration Criteria: Please see above.

Procedure for Obtaining: Please see above.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: Police certificates are not required for applicants who are under the age of 14.

 

Court/Prison Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Procedure for Obtaining: They are available from the court and also can be obtained from e-Government website.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Military Records

Available: All Turkish citizens who have served in the military have discharge papers, which can be obtained from the e-government website. This document may be obtained only if the applicant is already discharged. If the applicant has postponed his duty, he needs to apply to one of the Military Branches to obtain the document.

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Askerlik Durum Belgesi

Issuing Authority: Milli Savunma Bakanligi (Ministry of Defense)

Procedure for Obtaining: From the e-government website and Military Branches.

Comments: None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Details can be found at https://www.nvi.gov.tr/hakkimizda/projeler/pasaport-bilgi/pasaport-sss

Fees: Fee changes according to the validity period of the passport, details can be found at https://www.nvi.gov.tr/hakkimizda/projeler/pasaport-bilgi/pasaport-sss

Issuing Government Authority: General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship.

Important Note: As of April 2018, the passport issuing authority has changed and currently it is General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship. Previously, all passport applications were processed by General Directorate of Security.

Other Records

Available, if required to determine identity and admissibility. Marriages since October 4, 1926 are recorded in the birth certificate (Nufus) of both parties. Divorces are noted in birth certificates at the request of the bearers, who are required to keep their certificates in order.

Visa Issuing Posts

U.S. Embassy Ankara

Address:
110 Atatürk Blvd.
Kavaklıdere, 06100 Ankara - Turkey

Phone Number: (90-312) 455-5555

Visa Services: Both Immigrant Visas and Non-Immigrant Visas

Comments / Additional Information:
Ankara is the only post that issues immigrant visas in Turkey.


U.S. Consulate General Istanbul

Address:
Poligon Mahallesi, Sariyer Caddesi No: 75
Istinye 34460 Sariyer, Istanbul/Turkey

Phone Number:
(90) 212-335 90 00

Visa Services: Only Non-Immigrant Visas
 

U.S. Consulate Adana

Address:
Girne Bulvari No: 212 Guzelevler Mah.
Yuregir, Adana – TÜRKİYE

Phone Number:
(90) (322) 455-4100

Visa Services:
None

Visa Services

Ankara processes immigrant visas, returning resident (SB-1) applications, and parole applications in Turkey. Both Ankara and İstanbul process non-immigrant visas and boarding foil applications.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.