Turkey, US resume normal visa services

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United States and Turkey have resumed full visa services for each other’s nationals. 

Turkey has assured the United States that no additional local employees are under investigation and they will give the Americans a heads up if they intend to arrest any local US mission staff in the future, the United States stated. 

“Based on adherence to these assurances, the Department of State is confident that the security posture has improved sufficiently to allow for the full resumption of visa services in Turkey,” read a statement from the US Embassy in Ankara on Thursday afternoon. 

Turkey similarly announced resumption of normal visa services for Americans. 

The United States suspended all non-immigrant visa services in Turkey on October 8, citing security concerns after Turkey arrested an employee of the US consulate in Istanbul. 

Turkey quickly retaliated with a similar ban. 

The United States continues to have “serious concerns” about existing allegations against its local employees who have been arrested and US citizens who have been detained under Turkey’s state of emergency. 

Turkey also expressed concern about cases of Turkish citizens in the United States and will continue to discuss the matter with their American counterparts, the Turkish embassy in Washington DC stated.