Where do you have a US visa interview in Turkey?
In Turkey, nonimmigrant visa applications, B1/B2 included, are handled by the US Embassy in Ankara and the US Consulate General in Istanbul. The two posts appear separately in the appointment system and in the official wait-time tool, so their waits can differ.
| Ankara | Istanbul | |
|---|---|---|
| Post | Embassy | Consulate General |
| B1/B2 interviews | Yes | Yes |
| Wait time | Shown separately in the official tool | Shown separately in the official tool |
| Location to select in the DS-160 | Embassy Ankara | Consulate General Istanbul |
Since September 2025 the State Department has expected nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or usual residence, and most applicants need an in-person interview, with waivers limited to narrow categories of renewal. If you live in Turkey, plan to apply in Ankara or Istanbul. Appointments for Turkey are booked in the official system linked from tr.usembassy.gov.
How do you book a US visa appointment in Turkey step by step?
- Complete and submit the DS-160, choosing Ankara or Istanbul as the interview location, and keep the barcoded confirmation page.
- Create a profile in the official appointment system.
- Pay the application fee (185 USD) using the method shown in the system.
- Enter your DS-160 confirmation number and pick an available date in the calendar.
- Choose how your passport will be returned to you (the delivery option).
- Print the appointment confirmation and bring it on interview day.
Use official channels only. Appointments depend on availability in the official system; ignore people or websites that “sell” appointments or promise a particular date.
How do you read the official wait-time tool?
The State Department publishes an estimated interview wait for each post on its official wait-time page. Use it like this:
- Select Ankara or Istanbul as the city; each post has its own estimate.
- Look at the visitor visa (B1/B2) line; student and work visas are shown on separate lines.
- Read the figure as the estimated time until the next available interview appointment. It does not include anything that happens after the interview, such as administrative processing.
- Repeat the check for the other city, then confirm real availability in the appointment system’s calendar.
We leave out numbers on purpose: the estimates are updated often as demand, season and staffing change, and any figure in a blog post goes stale quickly. When you decide, go by the tool’s value on the day and the calendar in the system.
What can you do if the wait is long?
- Prepare your DS-160 and documents early and book as far ahead of your trip as you can.
- Check the appointment system regularly; if an earlier date opens, you can reschedule within the system’s rules.
- Compare the calendar at the other post in Turkey.
- Do not buy non-refundable flights or accommodation before you have a visa decision.
How do you request an expedited US visa appointment?
According to the State Department, applicants in extreme circumstances can request an expedited appointment for humanitarian reasons or under the post’s own criteria for urgent travel, and consular managers at the post review each request individually. There is no fee for this request, but you must document your reason. The usual process is:
- Book a regular appointment for the first available date.
- Use the expedite request option in the appointment system to explain your reason, with evidence such as a serious illness, a funeral or medical treatment.
- Wait for the post’s reply, which usually comes by email.
- If approved, choose the new date as instructed; if declined, your existing appointment stays in place.
What is the paid expedited appointment?
Between 1 July and 31 December 2026 the State Department is running a temporary pilot: at certain posts listed on travel.state.gov, B1/B2 applicants can pay an additional fee, on top of the application fee, for an interview within ten business days. These slots are limited, they do not speed up the visa decision or anything after the interview, and the fee is forfeited if you miss or cancel the appointment. Check travel.state.gov to see whether Ankara or Istanbul is on the list; if your post is not included, the option does not appear in the system.
How much do the appointment and application cost in total?
The application fee you pay to book is 185 USD per person and is not refunded if you are refused. If your visa is issued, a 250 USD visa integrity fee per person is added; see our visa integrity fee guide. With our Premium package, one adult comes to approximately ≈ 535 USD:
What should you know for interview day?
- Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page and appointment confirmation.
- Read the post’s security rules (electronic devices, bags and so on) in advance and arrive at your appointment time.
- Your fingerprints are usually taken at the post on interview day.
- Give short, clear answers that match your DS-160.
How can you get help with the appointment process?
Our Standard, Premium and Elite US visa packages cover DS-160 preparation, the appointment booking and a document review; Premium and Elite add a mock interview with a licensed US visa attorney. Appointment dates always depend on availability in the official system.
Frequently asked questions
Is Istanbul or Ankara faster for a US visa appointment?
It varies over time. Compare the current estimates for both cities in the official wait-time tool and check actual availability in the appointment calendar.
Why do wait times keep changing?
The estimates are updated according to demand, the season and each post’s capacity. Go by the tool on the day, not a figure from an article or social media.
Can I change my appointment date?
Yes. You can reschedule to an available date in the official appointment system; the rules for changes are shown there.
Can I book my appointment in another country?
The State Department expects nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or usual residence. If you live in Turkey, you should book in Ankara or Istanbul.
What happens if my expedite request is declined?
Your existing appointment remains valid. If your situation changes in a new, documented way, check the system for whether the post allows another request.
Does a paid expedited appointment affect the visa decision?
No. It only brings the interview date forward; your application is assessed under the same rules and nothing after the interview is speeded up.
Sources
- Federal Register 2026-11513 — Schedule of Fees for Consular Services: Visa and Citizenship Services Fee Changes (temporary expedited B1/B2 appointment fee, 9 June 2026), full text — accessed:
- Federal Register 2022-18324 — 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160), full text — accessed:
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Lincoln Visa Group is not an official authority; the visa decision rests solely with the competent authority of the country concerned.
