Turkey, US end mutual visa stoppage on 'limited basis'

UPDATES WITH TURKEY ALSO MOVING TO PROCESS VISAS ON A LIMITED BASIS

By Safvan Allahverdi and Nazli Yuzbasioglu

WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkish missions in the U.S. have begun to accept visa applications from American citizens on a limited basis, Turkey’s Washington Embassy announced Monday, in a move mirroring a U.S. decision earlier in the day.

"Turkey will resume processing visa applications of U.S. citizens at its diplomatic and consular missions in the USA on a 'limited basis',” the embassy said in a statement, easing a nearly month-long visa logjam and row in bilateral ties.

The Turkey-U.S. visa row was sparked Oct. 8, when the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced the suspension of non-immigrant visa services to Turkish nationals. That move followed the arrest of a local employee at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, prompting a tit-for-tat response from Ankara.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Embassy in Turkey announced visa applications were being processed on a limited basis at its diplomatic missions in Turkey.

"The U.S. Mission in Turkey has resumed processing visas on limited basis,” said an email Turkish applicants received from the U.S. missions.

“Applicants who wish to travel to the United States may now reschedule appointments. Please note, however, that limited appointment availability could result in longer than normal wait times,” it added.

The move comes on the eve of a four-day visit to the U.S. by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim during which he is set to meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the White House.