Family-based immigrant visa petitions no longer accepted

  • Published
  • By Embassy
  • Ankara
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Effective immediately, U.S. Embassy Ankara can no longer accept I-130 family-based immigrant visa petitions.

The Adana and Istanbul Consulates had not been previously authorized to accept I-130s, so there is no change at either of those posts. All petitions must now be adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Recent legislation has led to changes in the procedures American citizens residing abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa.

Effective immediately, I-130 immediate relative petitions must be filed with the USCIS office responsible for the petitioner's place of residence - the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition. Consular offices at U.S. embassies and consulates are no longer authorized to accept I-130s, although they will continue to provide guidance to American citizen petitioners and their family members.

Responsibility for acceptance and approval of immigrant visa petitions rests solely with USCIS. American citizens should submit their I-130 at the USCIS office responsible for their place of residence.

This procedural change may result in a processing delay for some applicants. The Department of State recognizes and sincerely regrets the inconvenience this may cause.
U.S. Consulate in Adana contact information can be found at http://adana.usconsulate.gov or by calling 90-322-346-6262. The fax number is 90-322-346-7916.

USCIS contact information may be found at www.uscis.gov. USCIS can be reached through their National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800- 375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833).

U.S. Embassy in Ankara contact information can be found at http://ankara.usembassy.gov or by calling 90-312-455-5555. The fax number is 90-312-468-6131.

U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul contact information can be found at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov or by calling 90-212-335-9000. The fax number is 90-212-335-9102.