US and Turkey suspend Visa services, effective immediately

effective immediately, US citizens are unable to get Turkish visas.

Developing story....

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-europe-41547502

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US Ambassador to Turkey statement: https://tr.usembassy.gov/ambassador-john-bass-statement-suspension-visa-services-turkey/

"October 9, 2017

Good afternoon. I want to convey to our Turkish friends and partners the reasons for the U.S. government’s decision to suspend non-immigrant visa services at our embassy and consulates in Turkey, and to explain what this suspension means.

In the Embassy’s statement yesterday, we said we were suspending non-immigrant visa services. The suspension allows us to minimize the number of visitors to our embassy and consulates while we assess the commitment of the Government of Turkey to the security of our diplomatic facilities and personnel. Here is what led us to take this decision:

Last week, for the second time this year, a Turkish staff member of our diplomatic mission was arrested by Turkish authorities. Despite our best efforts to learn the reasons for this arrest, we have been unable to determine why it occurred or what, if any, evidence exists against the employee. The employee works in an office devoted to strengthening law enforcement cooperation with Turkish authorities and ensuring the security of Americans and Turkish citizens. Furthermore our colleague has not been allowed sufficient access to his attorney.

Particularly disturbing is that some Turkish officials apparently have provided information about the allegations to certain news outlets—again without informing the accused or his legal counsel. The news organizations repeated allegations that in his official capacity working for our embassy – the employee spoke with members of the Turkish government, police, or prosecutors about law enforcement matters.

Let me be clear: strengthening law enforcement cooperation between the United States and Turkey was the employee’s job. Speaking to and traveling with Turkish police was a part of his regular duties and the Turkish government has not shared any information to indicate the employee was involved in any illegal activity.

This arrest has raised questions about whether the goal of some officials is to disrupt the long-standing cooperation between Turkey and the United States. If true, this would put the people who work with, and work at, and visit our diplomatic facilities at risk. We don’t know if these arrests are singular events or if we should expect other Turkish staff members to be arrested for simply speaking to Turkish government officials or the wider Turkish public in the course of their duties.

Our local staff members are Turkish citizens and we, of course, expect them to observe Turkish law like any other citizen of the Republic. They have a right to expect Turkish authorities will provide appropriate legal protections and due process, including the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, in accordance with the Turkish constitution, and the principles of rule of law that all modern democracies follow.

Now this suspension of services is not a visa ban on Turkish citizens. It’s a suspension of our consideration of new visa applications. If you have a valid visa, you can still travel to the United States. If you want to apply for a visa at another U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Turkey, you are free to do so.

This was not a decision we took lightly and it’s a decision we took with great sadness. We realize that the suspension of visa services will inconvenience people. We hope it will not last long, but at this time we can’t predict how long it will take to resolve this matter. The duration will be a function of ongoing discussions between our two governments about the reasons for the detention of our local staff members and the Turkish Government’s commitment to protecting our facilities and our personnel here in Turkey. Thank you."

Sorry to see all of this.

Keith

Does this affect people cruising with stops in Turkey. We went a couple of years ago and walked off the ship without a visa. Has that changed?

Does this affect people cruising with stops in Turkey. We went a couple of years ago and walked off the ship without a visa. Has that changed?

That is the big question for which nobody seems to have a definitive answer. The situation with Turkey seems to be in a constant state of flux....so whatever policy is in effect today...may well be different tomorrow. This is a case where one needs to rely on the cruise lines. If the passengers are not permitted to get off the ship we assume the cruise line will be informed in advance by their agent...and cancel the port. The main tourist/cruise season has ended for Kusadasi and I am not sure if anyone is still scheduled to dock in Istanbul in the next few months. One can hope that by the time the tourist season reopens in the spring (2018) the situation in Turkey has been favorably resolved.

The latest information is that a US Department of State delegation arrived in Turkey, today, to participate in talks with Turkish authorities about the Visa crisis. Since Turkey is still a NATO ally, we have some optimism that the situation will be quickly resolved. But what is a bigger concern (to me) is the trend we have seen between the Erdogan government and the US. DW and I really enjoy visiting Turkey (on land or sea) but we are not making any future plans....given the entire political situation in Turkey.

Hank

There has been no change to the visa policy: If you didn't need a visa before (for example if your cruise ship is calling temporarily at a Turkish port), you still don't need one now. If you needed a visa before (for example if you are flying into or out of Turkey), then you still need one now. It has just become harder for US citizens to get one.

From what I have gathered (from TripAdvisor etc.), they are actually still selling visas on arrival to US citizens at IST and SAW, as long as they are not arriving on a flight directly from the US (which must be the case for the majority of passengers). But some airlines are understandably unaware of this and have been denying boarding to US passport holders who don't already have a Turkish visa.

Americans may also have the option of applying for a visa from a Turkish consulate in another country, like Canada, although this is obviously not convenient for everyone.

Just learned today that the Oceania Nautica, scheduled to arrive in Kusadasi on May 21, 2018, has been eliminated. We are going to Patmos, Greece, instead. So this visa business has one cruiseline changing things.

There has been no change to the visa policy: If you didn't need a visa before (for example if your cruise ship is calling temporarily at a Turkish port), you still don't need one now. If you needed a visa before (for example if you are flying into or out of Turkey), then you still need one now. It has just become harder for US citizens to get one.

 

From what I have gathered (from TripAdvisor etc.), they are actually still selling visas on arrival to US citizens at IST and SAW, as long as they are not arriving on a flight directly from the US (which must be the case for the majority of passengers). But some airlines are understandably unaware of this and have been denying boarding to US passport holders who don't already have a Turkish visa.

 

Americans may also have the option of applying for a visa from a Turkish consulate in another country, like Canada, although this is obviously not convenient for everyone.

Yes, there are ways around the policy. But most Americans (including me) are not going to play that game. As a long time fan of Turkey, I am really unhappy at what Erdogan has done to his country and its long-time wonderful relationship to the west. Consider that until recently, Turkey was talking about getting into the EU. Now, that idea sounds laughable.

Hank

Just received notice from RCCL that our Oct 6, 2018 of the Jewel of the Seas will not include Turkey. Rhodes has been added instead

Just received notice from RCCL that our Oct 6, 2018 of the Jewel of the Seas will not include Turkey. Rhodes has been added instead

That is really sad, but one cannot blame the cruise line. Erdogan has created such an atmosphere that nobody can predict the near future,,,,much less a year from now. Cruise lines need to secure port reservations, far in advance, to ensure they have an assigned pier or space in an approved anchorage.

The main season, for cruises going to Turkey, does not start until the spring. Kusadasi will get up to 1000 cruise ship calls in a single season...with Istanbul getting somewhat less. But Kusadasi is a very important port for so many cruises as folks really want to go to Ephesus. This port lives and dies with their cruise business (it is a much bigger impact here then in Istanbul). If the lines start to cancel Kusadasi, it will cost them bookings...and will have a tremendous negative impact on the economy of the entire region surrounding Kusadasi. We can sure none of this is lost on the Erdogan government...and it will be interesting to see if they get this latest issue quickly resolved, and can give some reassurance to the tourist/travel industry that all will be well.

Hank