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- October 19, 20269°
- BIST10011,572-1.28%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,182.70+0.04%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,421+0.50%
- October 19, 20269°
03
Green Card (Permanent Residence)
Paths to permanent residence: family, employment, investment, lottery, and asylum. Visa Bulletin, application pathways, the Ankara interview, conditional green card, and maintaining the card.
Current situation affecting Turkish citizens in 2026
- On January 21, 2026, the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries was suspended. Türkiye was not on this list. The suspension was lifted by court order on August 21, 2026.
- The issuance of Diversity Visa (DV) visas was suspended in December 2025. This suspension was also lifted by court order on August 28, 2026.
- The DV-2027 application period has not yet opened (as of October 9, 2026). The U.S. Department of State will announce the dates.
Topics in this section
- 3.1 What is a green card; rights and obligationsA green card is a Permanent Resident Card that gives you the right to live and work permanently in the United States. Holders must comply with the law, report their taxes, notify USCIS of address changes, and maintain their status.
- 3.2 Green card through familyThe family-based immigration process through a U.S. citizen or green card holder relative is explained, from the I-130 to the Ankara interview, including required documents, financial sponsorship, fees, and application routes.
- 3.3 How to read the Visa BulletinThe Visa Bulletin shows the line status of people waiting for a green card through family or employment. By comparing your priority date, the column corresponding to your country of birth, and the table to be used, you can determine whether your turn has arrived.
- 3.4 Employment-based green cardAn employment-based green card may be obtained through the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories by completing PERM, filing Form I-140, and then pursuing I-485 from within the United States or the immigrant visa process from Türkiye. Certain EB-1 and EB-2 NIW petitions may be self-filed.
- 3.5 Green card through investment (EB-5) and the "Gold Card"EB-5 is a pathway to obtain a green card by investing in the United States, beginning with conditional residence and leading to permanent residence; the Gold Card proceeds through EB-1 or EB-2 in exchange for a nonrefundable donation to the U.S. government. The amounts and requirements of the two programs differ.
- 3.6 Diversity Visa (DV, "green card lottery")DV is the U.S. green card lottery. Turkish citizens may apply; however, the DV-2027 registration period had not opened as of October 16, 2026.
- 3.7 Green card through asylum and refugee statusPeople granted asylum in the United States and refugees may apply for a green card using Form I-485 once they meet the requirements. Review current USCIS instructions for applications, family reunification, fees, and travel rules.
- 3.8 Application path: from inside the United States or from Türkiye?If you are in the United States and meet the requirements, you follow the adjustment-of-status path with Form I-485; if you are outside the United States, you follow the immigrant visa path through consular processing. Interviews for people living in Türkiye are held in Ankara.
- 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara)All immigrant visa interviews in Türkiye take place at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. Before the interview, ustraveldocs registration, a panel physician examination and the required documents must be completed.
- 3.10 Conditional green card and removing the conditionA conditional green card obtained through marriage or EB-5 is valid for 2 years and cannot be renewed. To remove the condition, Form I-751 must be filed at the appropriate time, or Form I-829 for EB-5.
- 3.11 Protecting your cardTo protect your Green Card status, carry your card, renew it with I-90 before it expires, report your address within 10 days after moving using AR-11, and apply for I-131 before long stays abroad.
- 3.12 Loss of a green cardA green card may end through naturalization, a final removal order, rescission, termination of conditional status, or abandonment. Consult an immigration or tax professional regarding abandonment and tax consequences.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026. This content is general information, not legal advice.