US Family and Friend Visit Visa Application Procedures

A US family and friend visit visa is the type of visa you need if you are a citizen of a country subject to a visa under the US visa regime and you want to go to the US as a guest to visit a family member or friend residing in the US.

The family and friends visit visa is issued under the US non-immigrant B2 (tourist) visa, so in order to apply for a visit visa, the US tourist visa requirements must first be met.

How to Get a US Visitor Visa?

To apply for a US visitor visa, you must first fill out the online DS-160 visa application form and then create the barcoded approval page of the form. After filling out the DS-160 visa form, you must pay the B2 visa application fee and make a visa appointment at the US Consulate (Ankara or Istanbul). After you submit your prepared visa documents, have a visa interview with a consulate officer, and have your digital fingerprint record taken, your US visitor visa application process is completed.

You will be notified when your US visitor visa is approved or rejected. After your application is approved, you can pick up your passport from the PTT center where the US foreign mission operates, either by courier service or in person.

Documents Required for US Family Friend Visit Visa

For US visitor visa applications, you must submit the documents listed below at the visa interview.

  • Printout of the DS-160 form confirmation page
  • Printout of appointment confirmation and instructions page
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and undamaged
  • Biometric photo measuring 51×51 mm
  • Proof of the visitor’s status in the United States
    • Valid US visa
    • Green Card or
    • US citizenship certificate
  • Supporting application documents*
  • Old passports and US visas, if any
  • Turkish ID card

* In your US visit visa applications, you are asked to submit supporting documents to assess financial adequacy and the necessity to return to Turkey at the end of the visa period. You can access the detailed list of supporting documents by making selections regarding your employment status on the US visa documents page.

Invitation Requirement for US Guest Visa

According to information provided by the United States Embassy, ​​the applicant must have a visa based on his/her own residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from family and friends in the U.S. In this context, an invitation letter or affidavit of support is not required to apply for a U.S. visitor visa.

If you choose to bring a US invitation letter or statement of support to your interview, please note that this is not one of the factors used in deciding whether a visa will be granted or denied.

US Visitor Visa Request Petition

In US visitor visa applications, the visa request petition is not required by US foreign missions.

You can write a US visa request letter to support your visa application by explaining basic issues such as travel details, the person you will visit in the US, how expenses will be covered, and your intention to return to the country .

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions to our consultants regarding the US visitor visa are provided below.

Where to Make an Appointment for a US Visit Visa?

You can make an appointment for a US friend or family visit visa from the visa unit of the Ankara Embassy or the Istanbul Consulate General. After creating an account at usvisa-info.com, you can make an appointment for a US friend visit visa by following the steps. If you are between the ages of 14-79, you must make an appointment for a US friend visit visa and attend an interview at the consulate.

How Much Is the US Family Visit Visa Application Fee?

The US family visit visa application fee is $185 in 2024 and is paid during the online appointment process. If you also receive sworn translation services, travel health insurance and consultancy services, the total amount you need to pay for the US family visit visa increases.

What are the US Visas for Living with a Family Member?

Below are the types of US visas you can get to live with your family member.

  • America F2 visa
  • America J2 visa
  • America H4 visa

The visa types listed above are granted to spouses and children under the age of 21 who will temporarily join a family member who holds a nonimmigrant visa type (F, J, H) in the United States. If you have a spouse or parent who has permanent residency status in the United States, you are eligible to receive a family reunification visa if the appropriate conditions are met.