US embassy in Turkey resume visa issuing on ‘limited basis’

The US embassy in Turkey have partially resumed the processing of visa applications, it said on Monday, while a Turkish government source said Ankara could follow suit as the countries take the first step to ease a diplomatic crisis.

The US suspended all non-immigrant visa services almost one month ago, following Turkey’s arrest of a US consulate employee and within hours of the move by US on Octber 8, Turkey retaliated by suspending all non-immigrant visa services.

The US Mission in Turkey has resumed processing visas on a limited basis,” the embassy said in an email seen by Reuters on Monday, adding that appointments would be limited and could lead to long waiting times.

The decision came right before PM Yildirim’s visit to the US.