Frequently asked questions

On this page, we have collected the most frequently asked questions from all sections of the Information Corner, together with brief answers. At the end of each answer, there is a link to a page explaining the topic in detail. Rules change frequently; check the current status on the official website before applying. Consult an immigration attorney in complex situations.

• Can I travel to the United States with ESTA? No. Türkiye is not in the Visa Waiver Program; a visa is also required for tourist visits. See 1.9 Entering the United States.
• My visa is valid for 10 years. Can I stay for 10 years? No. A visa only allows you to appear at the border and request entry. The CBP officer decides the length of your stay upon entry, and this period is recorded on your I-94. See 1.5 Visa validity periods.
• Where can I view my I-94 record? On CBP's I-94 website or through the CBP Link app. See 1.9.
• I was denied under 214(b). Can I appeal? There is no appeal process. If there has been a significant change in your circumstances, you may apply again by completing a new form and paying the fee again. See 1.7 Interview results.
• They gave me a 221(g) paper. What does it mean? Your application is incomplete or additional documents are required. If you submit the requested document within 1 year from the refusal date, you will not pay the fee again. See 1.7.
• Can I work or attend school with a tourist visa? No. Studying and working are prohibited on a B-1/B-2 visa. See 2.1 Tourism and business travel.
• Can I extend my stay? You must apply to USCIS before the period on your I-94 expires. Those who entered under the Visa Waiver Program and those who entered with a fiancé(e) (K) visa cannot request an extension. See 2.8 Change of status and extension of stay.
• What happens if I overstay my I-94? Your visa will generally be automatically revoked. If you overstay for more than 180 days on a single occasion and then leave, a 3-year entry ban may apply; if you overstay for 1 year or more, a 10-year entry ban may apply. See 2.9 Overstay and 12.2.

• Do I automatically receive a green card after marrying a U.S. citizen? No. Your spouse must file a Form I-130 petition for you. If you are in the United States and meet the requirements, Form I-130 and Form I-485 may be filed together; if you are in Türkiye, consular processing is used. See 7.1 and 3.2 Family-based green card.
• Can I participate in the green card lottery (DV)? People born in Türkiye may participate; Türkiye is in the Europe region. As of October 16, 2026, the official instruction page still contains the DV-2026 instructions; wait for the State Department's announcement of the DV-2027 registration dates. See 3.6 Diversity visa.
• What does "C" mean in the Visa Bulletin? It means "Current": all priority dates in that category may be processed. See 3.3 How to read the Visa Bulletin.
• Can I travel abroad while my green card application is pending? If you leave without obtaining travel permission (advance parole) while your I-485 is pending, your application will be denied, except for narrow exceptions recognized for certain temporary statuses. See 3.8 and 10.7 Leaving and returning to the United States.
• I previously overstayed. Is it safe for me to leave with travel permission? Since August 13, 2026, leaving the United States with travel permission also counts as a "departure" for purposes of an entry ban. Someone who overstayed for more than 180 days may face a 3-year or 10-year ban upon return. Consult an immigration attorney before leaving.
• How long can I stay abroad with a green card? Short trips generally do not cause problems. An absence of more than 1 year is the general measure for determining that the card has been abandoned; you may also be deemed to have abandoned it after shorter absences. If you will stay away for more than 1 year, obtain a re-entry permit by filing Form I-131 before leaving. See 3.11 Maintaining your card.
• Does receiving government benefits affect my green card application? It may. Under the rule that took effect on September 18, 2026, means-tested benefits such as cash assistance, housing assistance, food assistance, and university financial aid may be considered in the "public charge" assessment. See 16.5 Public charge.
• My address has changed. Whom should I notify? Foreign nationals in the United States must notify USCIS within 10 days after moving, either through their online account or with Form AR-11. See 3.11.

• When can I apply for citizenship? The general rule is to have held a green card for at least 5 years and to have lived in the United States for at least 30 months of the last 5 years. If you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, the period is 3 years and the U.S. physical-presence requirement is at least 18 months. See 4.1 Requirements (N-400).
• Will I lose my Turkish citizenship when I become a U.S. citizen? U.S. law does not require you to give up your other citizenship. On the Turkish side, you notify the consulate of your new citizenship by applying for "registration of multiple citizenship." See 4.5.
• I am a dual citizen. Which passport do I use to enter the United States? U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport when entering and leaving the United States. A Turkish passport may be required when entering or leaving Türkiye. See 8.4 Dual-national child.

• How do I register my child born in the United States in the Turkish civil registry? You register the birth with the consulate. For children born within marriage, the application may be submitted by mail; for children born outside marriage, you must make an appointment and apply in person. See 8.3.
• Is there a registration my son must complete in the United States? Yes. Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants between 18 and 25 must register with Selective Service. See 8.5 Boys.

• Who can obtain an SSN? U.S. citizens and green card holders receive unrestricted cards. The cards of people in temporary status who have work authorization state "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION." People without work authorization can obtain an SSN only if a law requires it. See 5.3.
• I cannot obtain an SSN. What do I do for my tax matters? You can obtain an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS using Form W-7. See 15.2.
• When is the tax return deadline? For calendar-year taxpayers, it is April 15 (for the 2025 tax year, it was April 15, 2026). If this date falls on a weekend or official holiday, the deadline is the next business day. See 15.3 Tax return.
• Do I have to report my bank accounts in Türkiye? If you are considered a U.S. person for tax purposes and the total of your foreign accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the year, you must file an FBAR. See 15.6.
• If I establish a company, can I work for my own company? Establishing a company by itself does not grant residence or work authorization. Every employer in the United States, including employers hiring citizens, verifies each employee's work authorization using Form I-9. See 14.1 Types of companies.
• What are the minimum wage and overtime rules? The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; if the state minimum is higher, the higher rate applies. Work exceeding 40 hours per week must be paid at least 1.5 times the regular rate, except for exempt occupations. See 5.5 Employee rights.

• Is health insurance mandatory? At the federal level, the penalty for being uninsured has not been enforced since 2019. However, some states, such as California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, impose a state tax penalty on people who remain uninsured. See 9.2 Insurance options.
• I do not have insurance. Can the emergency room turn me away? Hospitals that participate in Medicare and have emergency departments must provide a medical screening examination in an emergency regardless of your ability to pay, under the EMTALA law. See 9.4.

• How do I renew my Turkish passport? Make an appointment through Konsolosluk.gov.tr and apply in person. See 11.3.
• I live abroad. What can I do about military service? Consulates accept applications by appointment for deferment of military service abroad, military service by payment in foreign currency, and exemptions for dual citizens. See 11.5 Military service.
• Do the years I worked in the United States count toward my retirement in Türkiye? There is no social security agreement between the two countries; periods in the United States do not automatically combine. Türkiye has an option for purchasing credit for work abroad. See 17.4.
• Can I receive my U.S. retirement pension in Türkiye? Türkiye is on the SSA's "social insurance exception" list. You can receive a pension earned through your own work while living in Türkiye. Additional requirements apply to spouses and children. See 17.5.

• They are calling and asking for payment "from USCIS." Should I pay? No. USCIS does not request payment by phone or email. It does not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards. Fees are paid only through a USCIS online account and Pay.gov. See 1.12 Fraud warnings.
• Can a "notario" or notary file my immigration application? No. In the United States, a notary public witnesses signatures and administers oaths; they cannot provide legal services concerning immigration. Attorneys and accredited representatives perform this work. See 12.6 Finding an attorney.

• Guide for new immigrants – Welcome to the United States (PDF)
• I-94 record
• Consular appointment system
• USCIS – Change of address
• Glossary of terms