Turkey is not a member of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program — Turkish citizens need a visa for every trip to the United States, including short tourist visits. However, Turkey has a bilateral E-2 Treaty Investor agreement with the U.S., making it one of the strongest visa options for Turkish entrepreneurs. This guide covers the B-2 tourist visa, E-2 investor visa, H-1B, F-1 student, and green card pathways for Turkish nationals — including current interview wait times at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate in Istanbul.
Last updated: August 1, 2026.
B-2 Tourist Visa for Turkish Citizens
Turkey is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Every Turkish national — including dual citizens holding a Turkish passport — must obtain a B-2 tourist visa to visit the United States for tourism, family visits, or medical treatment. The B-2 allows stays of up to 6 months. Apply at the U.S. Embassy Ankara or U.S. Consulate General Istanbul.
| Post | B-2 Wait (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Consulate General | 60–180 days | Highest demand in Turkey; book as early as possible |
| Ankara Embassy | 45–120 days | Often faster than Istanbul; worth checking both |
Administrative processing (221g): Turkish B-2 applicants face a relatively high rate of post-interview administrative processing, which can add 2–8 additional weeks after your interview before a final decision. This is not a denial — it is additional security screening. Track your status at ceac.state.gov.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: Turkey’s Strongest Card
Turkey has a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, which qualifies Turkish nationals for the E-2 Treaty Investor visa. This is one of the most flexible U.S. visas available — it allows Turkish entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors to live and work in the U.S. running their own enterprise, with no fixed investment minimum and no annual cap or lottery. See official E-2 eligibility rules at USCIS.gov (E-2 Treaty Investors).
| E-2 Requirement | Details for Turkish Nationals |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be a Turkish citizen (or Turkish-majority-owned company) |
| Investment amount | No statutory minimum; must be “substantial.” Typical approvals: $100K–$500K in the U.S. business |
| Business type | Any active, real business — franchise, restaurant, tech company, retail, services. Cannot be a passive investment (stocks, real estate only) |
| Your role | Must be executive/supervisory or have essential specialized skills. Cannot be a marginal business (must generate more than just enough to support you and your family) |
| Duration | 2 years initially, renewable indefinitely while the business is active |
| Green card path | E-2 does NOT directly lead to a green card. Many Turkish E-2 holders transition to EB-5 or EB-2 NIW after building their business |
Work Visas for Turkish Citizens
| Visa | Best For | Cap? | Green Card Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Engineers, software developers, architects — Turkish STEM talent | Yes — 85K/yr lottery | EB-2/EB-3 — no TR backlog |
| L-1A/L-1B | Managers or specialists at Turkish companies with U.S. offices | No cap | L-1A → EB-1C (no PERM) |
| O-1A | Extraordinary ability researchers, tech founders, athletes, artists | No cap | EB-1A (self-petition) |
| E-2 Investor | Entrepreneurs investing in U.S. businesses | No cap | Does NOT lead to GC directly |
Green Card for Turkish Citizens
Turkish nationals face no country-specific backlog in any employment-based green card category. EB-2 and EB-3 priority dates for “Rest of World” — which includes Turkey — are generally current or within 1–2 years as of 2026. Turkish nationals are also typically eligible for the annual Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, which allocates 55,000 green cards per year to nationals of underrepresented countries — though the Department of State paused DV issuance on December 18, 2025 pending a security review, and as of this update DV-2027 registration has not opened. Check travel.state.gov before counting on this pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Turkish citizens need a visa to visit the USA? Yes. Turkey is not in the Visa Waiver Program. Turkish citizens must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul. Wait times are 45–180 days depending on the post. Apply well in advance.
Does Turkey have an E-2 treaty with the USA? Yes. Turkey has a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, which qualifies Turkish nationals for the E-2 Treaty Investor visa. Turkish entrepreneurs can live and work in the U.S. running their own business with a substantial investment — typically $100K–$500K in an active enterprise — with no annual cap or lottery.
Can Turkish citizens win the DV Lottery green card? Turkey has typically been eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery, which allocates 55,000 green cards annually to nationals of underrepresented countries. However, the Department of State paused all DV issuance on December 18, 2025 pending a security review, and DV-2027 registration has not opened as of this update. Check the State Department’s DV Lottery page at travel.state.gov before relying on this pathway.
How long does a US tourist visa take for Turkish citizens? Interview appointment wait times are 60–180 days at the Istanbul Consulate and 45–120 days at the Ankara Embassy in 2026. After your interview, administrative processing can add 2–8 more weeks. Plan for a total timeline of 3–8 months from application to visa stamp.
Can a Turkish company transfer employees to the USA? Yes — through the L-1 intracompany transfer visa. If a Turkish company has a U.S. subsidiary, parent, or affiliate, it can transfer managers, executives, or specialized knowledge employees to the U.S. on an L-1 visa without any lottery or annual cap. The L-1A for managers and executives also provides a pathway to the EB-1C green card without requiring PERM labor certification.
Next step: Considering the E-2 route? Compare it against a direct path to permanent residence in our EB-5 investor visa guide. Already have a U.S. job offer? See the full H-1B visa guide.
