IMMIGRANT VISAS

Information on Administrative Process

Important Notice: All non-immigrant and immigrant visa applicants (including 'K' visa applicants) may be required to go through an administrative process based upon their biographical and background information. While most administrative procedures occur prior to the final immigrant visa interview, in some instances additional processing may be required after the interview. The administrative process takes between four (4) and six (6) months and, unfortunately, cannot be expedited. Applicants should plan their schedules accordingly.

If your case number appears on the internet, please appear in person with your passport, refusal sheet (OF-194) and the missing items, if any, at the U.S. Embassy, Consular Section in Ankara, any Monday through Thursday between 13:30 and 14:00, before the administrative process expiration date. If your case number is not listed, please check the list every seven days.

For Iranian Applicants, when your number appears, come to the Embassy with the refusal sheet (OF-194) and missing items, if any, before the expiration date of your administrative process any Monday-Thursday between 1:30-2:00 p.m.   When the visa receives final approval, your passport will be returned by UPS courier to a local address (in Turkey) within 5 working days. One member of a family can return to Turkey on behalf of the entire family. The person returning to the Embassy must be one of the family members receiving a visa.

For Turkish applicants, if your case number appears, please contact the local UPS office in Turkey by calling 444-0033 to courier your refusal sheet (OF-194) and the missing items. If that number does not work, dial 312-444-0033. This must be done before the administrative process expiration date. If everything is in order, the visa will be sent to you by courier. If your application is still missing items, you will receive a deficiency notice telling you what items need to be provided to complete your application. If your case number is not listed, please check the list every seven days. You will pay for one way delivery. The UPS fee for return of visas or the deficiency notice will be collected by UPS when they deliver.