US & Turkey Suspend Travel Visas

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

(CNN)Both the United States and Turkey have suspended all non-immigrant visa services for travel between the two countries, after last week's arrest of a US consulate employee in Istanbul.

With some exceptions, the move effectively blocks Turks from travel to the United States, and vice versa, indefinitely.

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"Recent events have forced the United States government to reassess the commitment of government of Turkey to the security of US mission and personnel," the statement by the US mission in Ankara said.

Just 24 hours after the announcement by the United States, Turkey retaliated through its embassy in Washington, issuing a statement that effectively mirrors the one released by the United States -- only the countries' names were reversed.

"Recent events have forced Turkish Government to reassess the commitment of the Government of the United States to the security of Turkish Mission facilities and personnel."

The Turkish embassy said the measure, effective immediately, would "apply to visas in passports as well as e-Visas and visas acquired at the border."

The US move, meanwhile, means that Turks will not be issued visas to visit the United States unless they plan to move there.

[2552phxcrzr]

I am in Turkey at the moment and the news reports say that American tourists arriving in Turkey without a visa can still get visas at the point of entry (airport) -- they call it "kapı vizesi" (door visa). It's also my understanding that those who already have a visa will be able to enter Turkey. Of course, anyone who has plans to come to Turkey should check with the closest Turkish Embassy to verify the latest status.

 

In the opposite direction, only immigration visas for Turkish citizens planning to emigrate to the US will be processed by the US Embassy in Turkey.