The two ways to go to the United States

Turkish citizens who want to go to the United States have two basic options: a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa issued for a specific purpose and period, or an immigrant visa (green card) for living permanently in the United States. The purpose of your trip determines which visa you should apply for. On this page, you will find the difference between the two options, who can apply through which route, how the immigrant visa process proceeds step by step, and official forms that may be useful to you.

• A foreign national who wants to go to the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa. The visa is affixed to your passport.
• Türkiye is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Therefore, Turkish citizens cannot travel with ESTA. A visa is required even for a short tourist visit.
• U.S. immigration law determines which visa you need. The decisive factor is the purpose of your trip.
• There are more than 20 types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel. There are many more types of immigrant visas for those who want to live permanently.
• You can see which visa is suitable for you using the Department of State's Visa Wizard.

• It is issued for a specific purpose and period, such as tourism, a business meeting, medical treatment, study, an exchange program, or temporary employment.
• You apply online using Form DS-160. You then schedule an appointment and attend an interview. For the steps, see 1.3 Temporary visa application step by step.
• In Türkiye, temporary visa applications are accepted by the Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul.
• Strong-ties requirement: U.S. immigration law requires applicants for most temporary visas to demonstrate strong family, social, and economic ties to their place of residence. Under the law, an applicant is initially presumed to be an "intending immigrant." You overcome this presumption by demonstrating your ties.
  • Applicants for H-1B and L visas, their spouses, and minor children are exempt from this presumption.
• The visa's validity period is not the period you may stay in the United States. The border officer determines the length of stay upon entry. See 1.5 Visa validity periods.
• Working, undertaking credit-bearing education, and settling permanently in the United States are prohibited with a visitor (B) visa.
• If your plans change while you are in the United States (for example, if you marry a U.S. citizen or receive a job offer), you may in some circumstances request a change of status from USCIS. See 2.8 Change of status and extension of stay.

• B-1/B-2: business meetings, tourism, visiting family and friends, and medical treatment. See 2.1 Tourist and business travel (B-1/B-2).
• F and M: academic and vocational study. See 2.2 Student visa (F-1).
• J: exchange programs. See 2.3 Exchange visitor (J-1).
• H, L, O, P, Q, R: temporary work visas based on an employer petition. See 2.4 Work visas.
• E-1/E-2: treaty traders and investors. See 2.5 Investors and traders.
• I: journalists and media representatives.
• C-1 and D: transit through the United States and ship or aircraft crew members.
• K-1: fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. It is a nonimmigrant visa, but it leads to a green card. Fiancé(e)s must marry within 90 days of entering the United States with a K-1 visa. See 2.6 Fiancé(e) visa (K-1).

• Anyone who wants to live permanently in the United States must obtain an immigrant visa. This rule applies even if you do not plan to work in the United States.
• Immigrant visas are issued in four general categories:
  • immediate relatives
  • family preference categories
  • employment-based
  • Diversity Visa (DV, "green card lottery")
• In Türkiye, only the Embassy in Ankara handles all immigrant visa and fiancé(e) visa applications.
• The application form is DS-260, completed online.
• Every immigrant visa applicant, regardless of age, must undergo a medical examination by a physician authorized by the Embassy.
• A person who enters the United States with an immigrant visa is admitted as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) upon entry. The green card is mailed later.

• Immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (no annual quota):
  • spouse
  • unmarried child under 21
  • parents (if the citizen is at least 21 years old)
• Family preference categories (annual quota applies):
  • unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older
  • married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen
  • sibling of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is at least 21 years old)
  • spouse and unmarried children of a green card holder
• Green card holders may file petitions only for their spouses and unmarried children. They cannot file a petition for a sibling, parent, or married child.
• Employment-based:
  • First preference: persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; and certain multinational executives
  • Second preference: members of professions requiring an advanced degree, persons with exceptional ability, and those seeking a national interest waiver (NIW)
  • Third preference: skilled workers, professionals with bachelor's degrees, and unskilled workers
  • investors: persons who invest at least $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the United States ($800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project) and create at least 10 full-time jobs. See 3.5 Green card through investment.
• Special immigrants: special categories such as religious workers.
• Diversity Visa (DV): issued each year to a limited number of people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. See 3.6 Diversity Visa.
• Details: 3.2 Green card through family · 3.4 Green card through employment.

1. Petition: The process usually begins when your relative or employer in the United States files a petition with USCIS. Form I-130 is used for family cases and Form I-140 for employment cases. Filing or approval of the petition alone does not grant you status.
2. National Visa Center (NVC): The approved petition is transferred to the NVC. The NVC collects fees, the DS-260 form, and documents. For DV selectees, this stage is handled by the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC).
3. Queue (priority date): A visa number is always available in immediate-relative categories. In quota-based categories, your case may be scheduled for an interview when your priority date is earlier than the date listed in the Visa Bulletin. See 3.3 How to read the Visa Bulletin.
4. Medical examination: Before the interview, you undergo an examination by a physician on the Embassy's list. For the physician's address, see 1.2 Where to apply in Türkiye.
5. Interview: Immigrant visa interviews in Türkiye are held in Ankara. See 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara).
6. USCIS Immigrant Fee: It is recommended that you pay this fee online to USCIS after the visa is issued and before traveling to the United States. The green card will not be sent until this fee is paid. For the amount, see 1.4 Fees.
7. Entry to the United States: You are admitted as a lawful permanent resident. The green card is mailed to the address you provided.

Some people who are lawfully present in the United States may apply for a green card from within the country, without leaving, using Form I-485. To determine which route is right for you, see 3.8 Application route: from within the United States or from Türkiye?

• Purpose: A temporary visa is for a specific period and purpose. An immigrant visa is for permanent residence.
• Who initiates the application: For visitor, student, and exchange visas, you submit the application yourself. For petition-based work visas, the employer's USCIS petition is required first. Most immigrant visas require a petition from a relative or employer. For the DV, you apply yourself.
• Form: DS-160 for a temporary visa and DS-260 for an immigrant visa.
• Place of application: Ankara or Istanbul for a temporary visa. Ankara only for an immigrant visa.
• Medical examination: Mandatory for applicants of every age for an immigrant visa.
• Quota: There is an annual limit in immigrant visa categories other than immediate relatives.
• Upon entry to the United States: With a temporary visa, you stay for the period stated in your I-94 record. With an immigrant visa, you become a lawful permanent resident.
• Fees: see 1.4 Fees.

• A temporary visa appointment should be scheduled at the U.S. mission in the country of which you are a citizen or where you reside. If you reside in Türkiye, you may apply in Türkiye; you must be able to document your residence.
• Since November 1, 2025, immigrant visa interviews are generally scheduled at your place of residence, or, if you wish, in your country of nationality.
• Presidential Decision No. 10998 imposed visa and entry restrictions on citizens of 39 countries. Türkiye is not on this list. For details, see 1.11 Travel restrictions.
• For details of the place-of-application rule, see 1.2 Where to apply in Türkiye.

• Assuming that Turkish citizens can travel with ESTA.
• Assuming that the visa validity period is the right to stay in the United States.
• Looking for an immigrant visa appointment in Istanbul. All immigrant visa interviews are in Ankara.
• Failing to follow the Visa Bulletin in a quota-based category.
• Leaving correspondence from the NVC unanswered.
• Starting to work in the United States with a visitor visa.
• Hiding the truth in an application. Knowingly providing important false information may result in a permanent visa ban.
• Buying a "visa guarantee" from unofficial websites. See 1.12 Fraud warnings.

• Can I go to the United States without a visa as a Turkish citizen? No. Türkiye is not in the Visa Waiver Program. You must obtain the appropriate visa for each purpose of travel.
• Can I apply for an immigrant visa myself? Most categories require a petition from a U.S. citizen or green card holder relative or an employer. You participate in the DV lottery yourself.
• My sibling is a U.S. citizen. Can they bring me? Yes. If your sibling is at least 21 years old, they can file a petition for you. This category is subject to a quota; you follow your place in line through the Visa Bulletin.
• My mother has a green card. Can she bring me? Only if you are unmarried. Green card holders cannot file petitions for their married children.
• My child is a U.S. citizen. Can they provide me with a green card? If your child is at least 21 years old, they can file a petition for their parents. Parents are considered immediate relatives; there is no quota.
• Does obtaining a visa guarantee my entry to the United States? No. A visa gives you the right to travel to the border and request entry. The decision to admit you is made at the border by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. See 1.9 Entry to the United States.
• Can I travel with a tourist visa and apply for a green card in the United States? The rules are complex and vary by individual. See 2.8 and 3.8. Consult an immigration attorney before making a decision.

• Visa Wizard (which visa is right for you?)
• All visa categories
• USCIS – Green card categories
• Form I-130, petition for a relative (PDF)
• Form I-130 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-130A, supplemental information for spouse (PDF)
• Form I-140, employment-based immigrant petition (PDF)
• Form I-140 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-129F, fiancé(e) petition (PDF)
• Form I-129F instructions (PDF)
• Visa Bulletin
• NVC inquiry form (Public Inquiry Form)
• Embassy – Visa services