The USA And Turkey Resume Visa Services For Citizens

The USA And Turkey Resume Visa Services For Citizens

The USA announced earlier today that it would resume issuing visas for Turkish citizens seeking to enter the USA.   Turkey has reciprocated by removing the ban on travel to Turkey by US Citizens.

The lifting of the bans are effective as of today.

The bans were first put in place on October 9  as part of the American protest over the arrest of a Turkish citizen who worked for the US Embassy in Ankara.  The Turks claim the employee has links to Fethullah Gulen, an individual that Turkey believes is behind terrorist attacks within their borders.

With the removal of the travel ban to Turkey, US can now once again purchase visas to enter turkey in Istanbul at a kiosk located near passport control.   The current cost of the visa is $30.


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EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:  USA and Turkey Mutually Ban Visa Issuance For Visitors / Tourists

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: USA and Turkey Mutually Ban Visa Issuance For Visitors / Tourists

Over the past few hours, the USA and Turkey have banned the issuance of travel visas that effectively bans American citizens from entering Turkey, and vice versa.   Turkey issued their ban hours ago after the USA instituted the ban earlier on Monday (October 9).

This comes as part of the American protest over the arrest of a Turkish citizen who worked for the US Embassy in Ankara.  The Turks claim the employee has links to Fethullah Gulen, an individual that Turkey believes is behind terrorist attacks within their borders.

Typically, Americans traveling to Turkey simply buy their Visas at the airport in Istanbul or other points of entry and proceed to enter the country with no problem.  However, as a result of this suspension this is no longer possible and Americans traveling to Turkey in the near term will not be allowed to enter the country.   This ban applies to the online Turkish E-Visa system as well.

Turkish Airline flights between the USA and Turkey have not been impacted thus far.   No US based carrier flies to Turkey.

The situation is quite fluid so expect more updates.

 

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