Visa types
B1/B2 visitor visa
The most common US visa, for tourism, visiting family, medical treatment and short business trips such as meetings and conferences.
F-1 student visa
For academic study and language schools; requires a Form I-20 from your school and SEVIS registration.
J-1 exchange visitor visa
For Work and Travel, internships, research and exchange programmes; requires a DS-2019 from the programme sponsor.
Typical documents
- Passport valid for your trip
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Proof of application fee payment and appointment confirmation
- Recent photo meeting the DS-160 requirements
- Previous passports and any earlier US visas
- Employer letter, payslips and SGK service record
- For business owners: tax registration and trade registry gazette
- Bank statements and proof of assets
- For students and exchange visitors: Form I-20 or DS-2019 and SEVIS fee receipt
- Documents supporting your purpose of travel (invitation, conference registration, etc.)
Document lists vary by applicant and by consulate; the consulate's current official list is always the one that counts.
How to apply
- 1
Identify the visa category that fits your purpose of travel.
- 2
Complete the DS-160 online and save the confirmation page.
- 3
Pay the application fee through the official appointment system.
- 4
Book an interview at the Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul.
- 5
Prepare your documents and get ready for the interview.
- 6
Attend the interview; if approved, collect your passport by the method indicated.
Practical tips
- Anything on your DS-160 can come up at the interview, so your answers should match the form.
- At the interview, explain your purpose of travel and your ties to Türkiye (work, family, study) briefly and clearly.
- Most applicants now attend an in-person interview; interview waivers apply only in limited cases.
- Appointment wait times vary, so plan your travel dates around appointment availability.
Official sources
We checked the information on this page against the official sources below. Always confirm the current rules there before you apply.