For Turkish travelers, a US trip starts with the visa. Fees, processing time, interview, common mistakes, route choices and a checklist are all here.
The first thing to know before traveling to the United States is the visa: Turkish citizens need a consular visa. The application fee is 185 USD, and processing time, including interview wait, is 2-4 months. Before setting off, clarify your application calendar, passport and route plan together.
In brief
- Entry to the US for Turkish citizens is possible with a consular visa; ESTA does not apply to this passport.
- The application fee is 185 USD, non-refundable, and valid for 365 days; a new payment is required after a refusal.
- Processing time, including the interview, is 2-4 months; buy your final ticket only after the appointment.
- The length of stay is determined not by the visa but by the CBP officer at entry.
Visa: the rule for Turkish citizens
Entry to the US for Turkish citizens requires a consular visa. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of 42 countries to travel visa-free for up to 90 days for business or tourism. The ESTA application is also only for citizens of countries within this program. If you will be traveling with a Turkish passport, your plan should be built around a visa application, not ESTA.
The B1/B2 visa is used for tourist and business travel. The visa issued can provide multiple entry for up to 10 years. This does not mean you can stay uninterrupted for 10 years: how long you can stay in the country is determined by the border officer (CBP) at entry. The visa brings you to the border; the entry decision is made by the officer.
In short, three concepts are separate: permission to apply, the visa's validity, and the length of stay in the country. Readers who confuse these often look for ESTA or plan the duration incorrectly.
For the current visa status, see our US visa page. The information on this page was verified against the official source on August 1, 2026. Before applying, confirm the same information on the official appointment and payment system as well.
Fee, duration and payment rules
The B1/B2 application fee is listed as 185 USD. Since this figure also appears on some private sites, confirm it on the official fee page before making a payment. The fee is the non-refundable visa application (MRV) fee, paid by every applicant, including children. The fee is not refunded whether the visa is granted or denied.
The MRV fee has three characteristics:
- It can only be used for a single application.
- It is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
- If the visa is refused, a new payment is required to reapply.
Processing time, including the interview wait, is 2-4 months. This range varies depending on appointment demand. Practical tip: before buying a tour or plane ticket, check your appointment date and aim to apply at least four months before departure. If you make the payment and wait without getting an appointment, you will waste the 365-day period for nothing.
Interview and application preparation
For the consular visa, the process proceeds in this order: filling out the online application form, paying the MRV fee, getting an appointment, attending the interview. The interview wait time is included within the 2-4 month processing time mentioned above.
Gather the following for preparation:
- Passport: check the validity requirement on the official page.
- Application form confirmation page and payment receipt.
- Appointment confirmation.
- Documents showing your purpose of travel and ties to home: work, education, family, property.
- Tour itinerary or hotel reservation; you may be asked to briefly describe your travel plan at the interview.
Give short, consistent and accurate answers at the interview. Your verbal answers should not contradict the information written on the form. Children also require a separate application and separate fee; when traveling as a family, account for everyone's fee. Do not make hard-to-cancel expenses, such as a final plane ticket or non-refundable hotel reservation, before the visa is finalized; you will incur losses in case of refusal.
Common mistakes
- Applying for ESTA. ESTA is for Visa Waiver Program countries; Turkish citizens need a consular visa. Stay away from intermediary sites promising ESTA.
- Confusing the visa with the length of stay. The visa can provide multiple entry for up to 10 years; the length of stay is determined by CBP at entry.
- Missing the MRV period. The payment is valid for 365 days and usable for a single application. If the period expires, a new payment is required.
- Assuming refusal means a fee refund. After a refusal, a new payment is made upon reapplication.
- Buying the ticket before the visa. Do not buy a final ticket before the appointment date is known.
- Forgetting children. Everyone, including children, pays the fee.
If you will also be traveling to Europe, a separate system applies; you can read about this in our ETIAS article. Each country's application system, fee and duration are different; do not apply experience from one to another.
Route choice: West or East?
Once the visa process is clear, route choice comes next. US tours on sale are grouped into two main routes.
West coast
The Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco route combines coastline, desert and city life. The Los Angeles & Las Vegas & San Francisco Western USA Route is 9 days and its first departure is October 10, 2026. The Full Western USA Route starts on October 24, 2026.
East coast
The New York, Orlando and Miami route brings together a big city, theme parks and beaches. The New York & Orlando & Miami Tour is 9 days; first departure is October 17, 2026. The Full Eastern USA Route departs on the same date.
If the time remaining until departure is shorter than the visa processing time, choose a later departure date. You can see all options on the US tours page.
Steps and checklist before you go
Proceed step by step:
- Fill out the visa application form and pay the MRV fee.
- Get an appointment; do not buy a final ticket before you see the interview date.
- Go to the interview with your documents.
- Finalize the flight and accommodation after the visa is issued.
- Keep ready the purpose of travel, accommodation address and return plan the CBP officer will ask about at entry.
Checklist:
- Passport is valid and undamaged.
- Visa is in the passport; name and details are correct.
- MRV receipt and appointment confirmation.
- First night's accommodation address.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Baggage and cabin rules: check your airline's current rules.
- For layovers, review the airport lounge access conditions.
- Confirm overseas card usage with your bank.
One week before departure, set aside digital and printed copies of your documents; keep a second copy in case your phone is lost. If you're ready, check out our international tours.
Frequently asked questions
Can Turkish citizens travel to the US without a visa?
No. Turkish citizens need a consular visa. The Visa Waiver Program, which allows visa-free entry, covers citizens of specific countries; this does not apply to the Turkish passport.
How much is the US tourist visa fee?
The B1/B2 application fee is listed as 185 USD. Confirm the figure on the official fee page before making a payment. The fee is non-refundable; it is paid even if the visa is not granted.
How long does it take to get a US visa?
Processing time, including the interview wait, is 2-4 months. The duration may vary depending on appointment demand. Check your appointment date before buying a ticket.
Can a Turkish citizen enter the US with ESTA?
No. ESTA is only for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries. Turkish citizens need a consular visa; do not pay sites promising ESTA.
Is the fee refunded if the visa is refused?
No. The MRV fee is non-refundable and can only be used for a single application. If you wish to reapply after a refusal, you need to make a new payment.
How long can you stay in the US with a visa?
The visa can provide multiple entry for up to 10 years. The length of stay at each entry is determined by the CBP officer at the border. The visa duration does not mean the length of stay.
Sources
- Visa Waiver Program — cbp.gov
- Official ESTA Application Website - Home — esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- Visa Application Fees — ais.usvisa-info.com
- US Visa Fee 2026: 185 USD Fee and TL Equivalent — vizekolay.com.tr
My Travel Team
Travel Editor
The My Travel team prepares up-to-date travel, visa and tourism information and guides.
