WARDEN INFORMATION

Embassy Ankara Warden Message #1

January 26, 2007

SUBJECT: I-130 PETITIONS NO LONGER ACCEPTED AT OVERSEAS EMBASSIES

Effective immediately, U.S. Embassy Ankara can no longer accept I-130 petitions (family-based immigrant visa petitions). Consulates Adana and Istanbul had not been previously authorized to accept I-130s, so there is no change at either of those posts. All petitions must now be adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Recent legislation has led to changes in the procedures American citizens resident abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa. Effective immediately, immediate relative petitions (I-130s) must be filed with the USCIS office responsible for the petitioner's place of residence (that is, the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition). Consular offices at U.S. embassies and consulates are no longer authorized to accept I-130s, although they will continue to provide guidance to American citizen petitioners and their family members. Responsibility for acceptance and approval of immigrant visa petitions rests solely with USCIS. American citizens should submit their I-130 at the USCIS office responsible for their place of residence.

This procedural change may result in a processing delay for some applicants. The Department of State recognizes and sincerely regrets the inconvenience this may cause.

USCIS contact information may be found on their webpage at www.uscis.gov. USCIS can be reached through their National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800- 375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833).

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's website http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov.

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: 90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916,web site at http://adana.usconsulate.gov