Fast-Track U.S. Visa Program Launched for Turkish Businesses
In a significant move to alleviate the long-standing visa challenges faced by Turkish entrepreneurs, the U.S. has launched the Business Visa Program (BVP). This initiative aims to streamline the visa application process for Turkish businesses seeking to travel to the United States, following extensive dialogues between the two nations.
Key Features of the Business Visa Program:
– Accelerated Appointments: The BVP will provide faster scheduling for visa appointments, helping businesses avoid lengthy wait times.
– Direct Communication: A dedicated email channel will allow companies to communicate directly with the visa unit, enhancing support throughout the application process.
– Eligibility Requirements: To qualify, companies must have an annual revenue exceeding $1 million and employ a minimum of 100 full-time workers in Türkiye. Strong ties to the U.S., such as a significant client base, partnerships with American firms, and regular business travel involving at least 20 employees per year, will further facilitate participation.
– Application Process: Applications can be submitted by companies from any region in Türkiye, but all visa appointments will be organized in Ankara. A specialized business visa team, including designated personnel and a consular officer, will evaluate eligibility based on predefined criteria.
This initiative comes at a time when Turkish citizens face challenges with Schengen visa applications, where over 1 million applications were submitted last year with a rejection rate of 16.1%. The introduction of the BVP seeks to address these issues and support Turkish entrepreneurs in expanding their business horizons in the U.S.
What do you think about this new program? Will it make a difference for Turkish businesses looking to expand internationally?
