Both the United States and Turkey have suspended all non-immigrant visa services for travel between the two countries.
This is coming after last week’s arrest of a United States consulate employee in Istanbul on suspicion of links to a United States based cleric Fethullah Gulen who is blamed for July 2016 failed coup in Turkey.
The move effectively blocks Turks from traveling to the United States and Americans from traveling to Turkey indefinitely.
A statement by the United States mission in Ankara reads
“recent events have forced the United States Government to reassess the commitment of the government of Turkey to the security of the United States mission and personnel”.
A day after the announcement by the United States, Turkey reacted through its embassy in Washington issuing a statement similar to that released by the United States with only the countries’ names changed.
recent events have forced the Turkish Government to reassess the commitment of the Government of the United States to the security of the Turkish mission, facilities and personnel”. The Statement read.
The Turkish Embassy stated that the measure was to take effect immediately, adding that it will apply to visas in passports as well as e-visas and visas acquired at the border.
