US visa it is one of the exceptional visas that gives you a smile for 10 years once you get it. I recently got an American visa and I am here with an article where you can find answers to all questions such as how to get an American visa, what are the documents required for an American visa, where to fill out the American visa application form, where to get an American visa appointment, how long does it take 🙂
Let me remind you again that Turkish citizens must obtain a visa when they go to America.
This article is valid for non-immigrant, tourist visa applications, let me first mention that.
All instructions below US tourist visa application related guidelines.
How to Get a US Visa?
If you are going to apply for a touristic visa from Turkey, you can apply from the American Consulates in Ankara and Istanbul. Since I live in Istanbul, I applied from Istanbul. US visa consultancy It is also possible to get support from one of the companies that provide the service.
In order to make an appointment with the visa departments in Ankara and Istanbul, you must first US Visa Application Form We need to follow the path at . What to do to make an appointment from this address, respectively;
- DS-160 You have to fill out the form. Note that you have to choose Istanbul-Ankara in this form.
2. Go to www.usvisa-info.com and find it in the upper right corner. Create AccountBy clicking , you create an account by entering the applicant's passport number, date of birth and nationality.
3. After reviewing the visa information and choosing a visa type according to your travel purpose, you enter the applicant's identity information.
4. You have to choose the PTT branch where the passport will be delivered because the passport is sent to the PTT branch as a result of the visa application.
5. You choose the MRV (visa application fee) payment method.
6. You select the appropriate appointment date and time and confirm the appointment date and time.
You are now ready to come to the appointment. After that, we move on to the process of preparing documents.
Can I Get US Visa Expedited?
You can't usually find an appointment for a very close date for a US visa application. Especially in the period of 2017-2018, America stopped issuing visas for a while due to inter-country political crises, and when it started to issue visas again, there was a backlog. Therefore, if your travel date is close, you can request an expedited visa appointment. To request an expedited visa appointment;
- first make a regular visa appointment for the nearest available date.
- Then log in to your account, click 'Continue', select the 'Request Speed Up' tab and follow the instructions.
- The traveler must specify the date and reason for the trip in his request.
What are the Documents Required for a US Visa?
Below is the list of documents required for a US tourist visa application:
- Your valid passport, if any, your old passports,
- Stamped signed petition stating your position in the company and the dates of your leave (for salaried employees), arranged on company letterhead,
- A copy of the signature circular,
- Activity certificate from the chamber of commerce or industry (not older than 6 months),
- Photocopy of tax plate (last tax year must have been processed),
- A copy of the registry gazette,
- Photocopy of the insured employment statement,
- SSK service breakdown,
- The original of the last 3 months payslip,
- A photocopy of the bank passbook containing the balance in the last 3 months, or a stamped signed account statement taken from the bank,
- 2 5×5 size photographs with white background (must be taken in CD in order to upload them to the application form),
- The printout of the application form you have made online,
- Copy of identity card
You take these documents with you as a file when you go to the appointment. Photographs are indispensable, but no one opened and looked at our other file. They have already examined our entire history with the information in the application form filled in before they go, so I guess they are not asked for documents. You still go prepared 🙂
USA Visa Appointment
You need to be present at the American Consulate individually half an hour before the appointment, on your appointment date and time. The American Consulate in Istanbul is in İstinye. They do not take any electronic devices for the appointment, you can leave your mobile phone in your car or leave it at the depository right across the consulate.
Items that are forbidden to take with you when entering the Consulate;
• All kinds of bags (I entered with my handbag, no problem)
• Laptop
• Mobile phone
• tablet
• Mp3 player
• USB or flash memory
• Camera
• Gaming devices
• All kinds of cosmetic products
• All kinds of liquid substances (including perfume)
• All kinds of flammable materials and lighters
In addition to the list above, security personnel may not allow any equipment not on the list to be placed in the waiting area.
When your appointment time comes, those who have an appointment at that time take turns in. Your passport and photo are checked at the first security point. For visa application, you reach a large hall with directions inside the building. When you enter the hall;
- First of all, your passport, application form, photo are checked and you are given a sequence number. The sequence number will be needed for your last visa interview.
- Your visa registration is done before the serial number is required.
- Then your fingerprint is taken
- Finally, when it's your turn, you make a visa interview.
All of the above goes pretty fast. Since they have already made an appointment, the queue is filling up fast.
What Do They Ask in the Visa Interview?
Let's get to the main issue! I guess this is everyone's nightmare. First of all, it is useful to clarify something, if you do not have a secret situation and everything is according to the book, there is nothing to be afraid of. Visa interviewers are American, but most of them speak Turkish, and those who do not use interpreters.
We had a visa interview with my wife, they take couples or people who will travel together. Questions asked to us and our answers;
- Would you like to continue the conversation in Turkish or English? We can speak English, but if possible, let's continue in Turkish.
- Why are you going to America? We are going for a walk.
- Where do you work, in what position, how long have you been working, where did you work before that? We talked about the places we worked.
- Since my wife often goes to the Red Sea for diving, she had a lot of Egypt Visa in her passport. Specially to himWhy did you go to Egypt so many times?” he was asked. He also made the statement that he went because of diving.
When the question was finished, they said "your visa has been approved" and gave a paper. While we were waiting for our turn, there were long explanations. A few examples; For example, they questioned a young unemployed friend, who just graduated from university, because they thought there was a risk of not returning. Or there was someone talking about their family problems, I have no idea how they got to that point. But there was also Uncle Tonton, when he answered the question "why are you going to America" with "I will take my grandchildren to Disneyland", we were amazed by the uncle in the hall, and he immediately got his visa 🙂
How Long Does it Take to Get a US Visa?
After your visa is approved, your passport will be sent to the PTT branch you specified in your application within 3 working days in Istanbul and 4 working days for provinces outside of Istanbul. You can get your passport from the relevant PTT branch with your photo ID and the PTT tracking number sent to your e-mail address after the application.
How Much is the US Visa Fee?
You will perform US visa to complete your application US visa fees deposit is required. Touristic America Visa Fee is 2018USD for 160, unfortunately. Our only consolation is that it is a 10-year visa.
I would like to remind you that even if your visa is not approved, you cannot get this fee back.