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Guide to NIV

Step 1: Do you need an appointment?

All applicants must appear in person for an interview with a consular officer, with the exception of:

Reuse applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • already provided 10-finger digital fingerprints at the Embassy in Ankara or at the Consulate in Istanbul (on or after May 1, 2007)
  • submit a new application at the same consular section, either Ankara or Istanbul, where he/she provided 10-finger digital fingerprints before
  • are applying for the same visa classification (only the following: B-1/B-2, C-1/D, F, H-1B, H-4, I, J, L, O, and P) H-1B and H4  applicants must make an appointment and appear in person for an interview if current employer is different than the one on previous visa.
  • their bio data has not changed (name, place of birth and date of birth)
  • The previous visa must be currently valid, or must have expired within the last twelve months

Qualified reuse applicants do not need to schedule an appointment or appear for an interview or fingerprinting. They may submit an application with the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • DS-160 - printed confirmation page only
  • One photo - if you couldn't upload your photo to your electronic application form
  • No additional documents are necessary for B-1/B-2 visa applications.
  • Limited additional supporting documents may be necessary depending on visa classification.
  • Receipt for visa application fee paid to a TEB Bank (Türk Ekonomi Bankası) branch

Check your old visa first!

Do you have a new passport and a U.S. visitor’s visa in your previous passport?  If your U.S. visa in your old passport is still valid, you do not need to get a new visa. All you need to do is travel with your new passport and your old passport together.

All other applicants should continue to step #2.

Urgent/Emergency Travel

If you have a medical emergency, or if you need to travel urgently to the U.S. for business, you may qualify for an emergency interview.  To request an emergency interview, you must first call the Visa Information Service at +90 212-340-4444 and schedule the first available interview appointment in Ankara.  Next you must send an email to Ca-ankara@state.gov ; your email must clearly explain your emergency and must include your personal contact information.   Please write “NIV Emergency” in the subject line of your email message.  We will review your request and we will call you promptly if we accept your request.  If we do not call you to reschedule your interview, we have denied your request, and you should keep your regular interview time.

If you scheduled your interview in Istanbul, you should email your emergency request to NivUrgent@state.gov .