Diplomatic and Official Visas

If you plan to travel to the United States on official government business, you or a courier may bring your application package directly to the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Ankara from Monday through Friday (excluding Turkish and American holidays) between 11:00-11:30 and 15:00-15:30. The applicant or anyone who has the tracking number ticket given when submitting the documents, may pick up the passport(s) five business days later at 16:00.

Reminder:  Diplomatic or official visa applications cannot be processed on the same day.  Some applicants also may need additional administrative processing which takes 2-3 weeks.   We recommend that you apply for a visa well in advance of your proposed travel date.  You should not make final travel plans or purchase non refundable tickets until your visa is issued and you have received your passport.

Your visa application package must include the following documents:

1. An Invitation Letter:

• For A1 and A2 visas, a Note Verbal,
• For NATO visas, an invitational travel order or Note Verbal.
• For G visas, an official invitation letter from the World Bank, IMF or UN,

The Note Verbal should list the name of the official travelers and specify their title or official status.  It should also specify the date of departure from Turkey, and the purpose of the trip and length of stay in the United States.

2. An undamaged passport with at least 6 months validity (Please note that if your passport is torn or damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new biometric passport before applying for your visa);

3. A photograph that meets State Department specifications; 

4. The printed confirmation page of your electronic visa application form DS-160. 

Please note that neither diplomatic nor official visa applications can be processed on the same day as submitted. Visa processing takes two business days under normal circumstances.  Some applicants may need additional administrative processing which can take longer.  We recommend that travelers apply for a visa well in advance of their proposed travel date. Travelers should not make final travel plans or purchase non-refundable tickets until their visas are issued and they have received their passports.

Diplomatic Visas (A-1 and A-2):  To qualify for an A-1 or A-2 visa, your travel to the United States must be on behalf of your national government to engage solely in official activities.  The fact that there may be government interest or control in a given organization is not, in itself, the defining factor in determining whether or not you qualify for an A visa; the particular duties or services that you will perform also must be inherently governmental in character or nature.  Qualified A visa applicants traveling to the United States for assignments of less than 90 days will be issued visas annotated "TDY" (temporary duty).

• If you are a local government official representing your state, province, borough, or other local political entity, you do not qualify for "A" visa status; you must apply for a B1/B2 visa and make an appointment to interview at the Embassy.  For more information, please visit Guide to NIV

International Organization Employee Visas (G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4):  To qualify for a G visa, your travel to the United States must be for official duties.  Please find below a more detailed description of each visa category:

• G-1 - Members of a permanent missions of a recognized government to an international organization
• G-2 - Representatives of a recognized government traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization 
• G-3 - Representatives of non-recognized or non-member governments traveling to the United States temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization 
• G-4 - Personnel traveling to the United States to take up an appointment at a designated international organization, including the United Nations.

NATO Visas (NATO 1-6):  To qualify for a NATO visa, your travel to the United States must be under the applicable provision of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff.  You also may qualify for a NATO visa if you are an immediate family of an alien classified NATO-1 through NATO-6.

Visa Processing and Issuance Fees:  Official visa applicants are exempt from paying any fees for official visas.