Immigrating to the US From Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide

Employment-Based Permanent Green Cards

The employment-based green cards are suitable if you’re seeking long-term employment opportunities in the US. These visas are usually issued for ten years and you can apply for citizenship after five years.

The five major employment-based green cards include the following:

1. EB1: This category is for priority workers with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers.
2. EB2: Suitable for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills in their respective fields. It typically requires a job offer and labour certification.
3. EB3: This category includes skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. It necessitates a job offer and labour certification, and the availability of visas might vary.
4. EB4: This category encompasses various special immigrants, including religious workers, certain employees of  US foreign service posts, and more.
5. EB5: Reserved for immigrant investors willing to invest a substantial amount in a new commercial enterprise in the US, creating jobs for  US workers.

Temporary Work Visas

If you wish to work in the  US on a short-term basis, consider applying for a temporary work visa.

These visas are called nonimmigrant visas and are issued for a limited period. If you meet the total allowable period you must leave the  US or switch to another visa category.

Here are some of the most common temporary work visas available:

1. H1B Visa: This visa is designed for skilled professionals, often in technology, engineering, and healthcare fields. It allows individuals to work for a  US employer for up to six years.
2. H2A and H2B Visas: The H2A visa is designed for temporary or seasonal agricultural workers while the H2B visas are for non-agricultural but seasonal workers interested in working in the  US for a particular season.
3. H3 Visa: The H3 visa is for individuals coming to the  US for training or special education programs.
4. I Visa: The I visa is intended for representatives of foreign media, including journalists, reporters, and other media personnel covering events in the US.
5. P1, P2, and P3 Visas: These visas are for athletes and entertainers (P1), artists and entertainers under reciprocal exchange programs (P2), and artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs (P3).
6. R1 Visa: The R1 visa is for religious workers who are coming to the  US to work for a religious organisation. Turkish nationals involved in religious occupations, such as ministers or religious instructors, can apply for this visa.
7. L1 Visa: Turkish employees of international companies can transfer to a  US office under the L1 visa category, promoting intra-company mobility.

Documents Required for the US Work Visas

Each  US work visa has specific documents required by the immigration authorities. However, here are some general documents you must have for a successful application:

• A passport, valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry to the  US
• Two (2) colour passport-size photographs
• Receipt number of Form I-129 or Form I-129
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260
• A copy of your NVC interview letter
• Evidence of payment of the application fee
• Employment history/CV
• Criminal record certificate
• Letter from a prospective employer detailing the work you are to do in the  US
• Evidence of transfer of invested money to the  US, if applicable
• Medical examination certificate.
• Evidence of Turkish Post (PTT) registration

How to Apply for the US Work Visas

The application process for a US work visa will depend on the type of visa you’re applying for.

If you’re applying for a permanent green card, your prospective employer must begin the application process by filing Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. However, if you’re applying for a temporary visa, your prospective employer should file Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

If the application from your employer is approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Centre (NVC) and you will be asked to attend an interview at the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Depending on the visa type, your employer may also be required to get a labour certification. You may also need to attend a biometric appointment and an immigration interview.

F1 Visa

The F1 Visa is the most popular nonimmigrant student visa. It allows you to study at any high school, college, or university certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

To qualify for the F1 visa, you must have already secured admission at an SEVP-recognised educational institution. You must also have a good command of the English language and sufficient funds to sponsor yourself throughout your stay.

One important requirement is that you must prove your intent to leave the  US once your study program ends. As such, you should be able to provide evidence of strong ties to your home country.

M1 Visa

The M1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed for students enrolling in vocational or non-academic programs in the United States. Some of these programs include mechanical classes, cooking courses, flight school, and cosmetology courses.

To qualify for an M1 visa, you must first gain admission to an educational institution from the list published by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and authorised by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

As with the F1 Visa, you must also be fluent in English, have sufficient funds to cover your stay and demonstrate intent to return to your home country after your studies end.

J1 Visa

The J1 nonimmigrant Exchange Visitor Visa is open to research scholars, interns, camp counsellors, and au pairs who wish to participate in exchange programs, internships, and research opportunities in the US.

To be eligible for the J1 Visa, you must first be accepted into a study program by an approved sponsoring organisation.

Documents Required for the  US Study Visas

Here are the general documents required to apply for a  US Study Visa:

• A copy of your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay with at least one blank page)
• Two passport-sized photographs that comply with USCIS standards
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Form I-20
• Application payment receipt
• Proof of your current educational qualifications with certificates of your degrees or diplomas.
• Scores from English standardised tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
• Bank statements, tax information, and other evidence of your financial ability to support yourself.
• Proof of intent to depart the US after your studies.

How to Apply for the  US Study Visas

To apply for a  US Study Visa, you must obtain a Form I-20 from your proposed school. Then you must register with the Student Visitor Information and Exchange System (SEVIS) and pay the SEVIS fees.

You must also fill out and submit Form DS-160, which is the online non-immigrant visa application form and book an appointment at the  US Embassy. You’ll need to give your biometrics and answer some questions at an interview.

A consular officer will go through your application and decide if you’re eligible for the visa.

Family-Based Immigrant Visas

The family-based immigrant visas are generally called family-based green cards because they lead to permanent residency in the  US

The immigrant family visas are divided into two groups, those for ‘immediate relatives’ of the  US citizen or resident. To apply as an immediate relative, you must be a spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 of a US resident or citizen.

The family-based immigrant visas for immediate relatives include:

1. IR1 and CR1 Visas: These are designed for spouses of  US citizens married for at least 2 years (IR1 Visa) or recently married on the condition that they will remain married for at least 2 years (CR1 Visa).
2. IR2, IR3, and IR4 Visas: These visas are designed for biological children (IR2), children adopted outside the  US (IR3), and children adopted in the  US (IR4) who are under 21 and unmarried.
3. IR5 Visa: Designed for parents whose children are  US citizens and are 21 years old or above.

The second category of immigrant family-based visas, known as the ‘family preference’ visas, are for non-immediate family members of a US citizen or resident.

These visas are subject to an annual numeric limit and are available based on the date the petition is filed known as the ‘priority date.’ Once the yearly limit is reached for each category, you will need to wait in line for a visa to be available before your application can be processed.

The family preference immigrant-based visas are grouped into the following categories:

1. First Preference (F1): This is for adult, unmarried sons and daughters of  US citizens aged 21 and above.
2. Second Preference (F2A): For spouses and unmarried children of  US permanent residents under 21.
3. Second Preference (F2B): For unmarried adult sons and daughters, 21 years and above, of  US permanent residents.
4. Third Preference (F3): For married sons and daughters of  US citizens of any age.
5. Fourth Preference (F4): For siblings of  US citizens. The US citizen must be 21 years or older.

Family-Based Non-Immigrant Visas

The family-based non-immigrant visas grant you temporary entry to the  US If you decide to pursue permanent residency, you can continue your immigration process while already within the country.

The US non-immigrant family visas include:

1. K1 Visa: For fiancé(e)s of  US citizens and permanent residents who wish to enter the country and get married within 90 days.
2. K2 Visa: For the dependent child of a K1 Visa holder.
3. K3 Visa: For spouses of  US citizens. It offers a quicker route to enter the country and grants you a temporary stay of 2 years. Afterwards, you can apply for permanent residency.
4. K4 Visa: For dependent children of K3 Visa holders.

The family-based non-immigrant visas are not subject to an annual cap and often have a faster processing time. You can apply for an extension before your permit expires.

If you’re granted a K1 Visa and fail to get married within 90 days or if your marriage ends while on a K2 visa, you must leave the U.S. within 30 days.

Documents Required for the  US Family Visas

To apply for a family visa you must submit the following general documents:

• A valid passport
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support from your sponsor
• Criminal record certificate
• Medical examination record
• Form DS-260 confirmation page

How to Apply for the  US Family Visa

To apply for the family-based immigrant visas, your  US-based family member must begin the application by filing Form I-130, known as the Petition for Alien Relative to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

On the other hand, if you’re applying for a nonimmigrant family-based visa, your  US citizen spouse or fiance must file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance to USCIS.

If your Form I-130 or Form I-129F petition is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) will forward your application to the  US Embassy in Turkey. You will receive a notification to begin consular processing of your visa application.

This involves filling out an online application form, such as the Form DS-260 for immigrant applications. Then you must schedule and attend a visa interview at the embassy.

The immigration officers will decide your case and issue you a visa if your application is successful.