E-2 Visa for Turkish Investors
Turkey occupies a unique position in the E-2 landscape: Turkish nationals have both direct E-2 treaty access (since 1990) and access to one of the world's most attractive citizenship-by-investment programs, which allows nationals from non-E-2 countries to obtain Turkish citizenship as a stepping stone to E-2 eligibility. Watson Immigration Law advises Turkish investors on direct E-2 applications and advises investors from other countries on the Turkey CBI + E-2 dual-strategy pathway.
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Treaty year
5 years
Visa validity
950
FY2025 visas issued
Primary processing consulate
U.S. Embassy Ankara / U.S. Consulate Istanbul
Direct E-2 Access for Turkish Nationals
Turkey and the United States have maintained treaty commerce provisions since 1990, giving Turkish nationals full E-2 access. Turkish investors receive a 5-year visa stamp, with 2-year U.S. admission periods per entry. Turkish entrepreneurs are active in retail, food service, textile and apparel, professional services, and technology sectors.
Turkey as a CBI Gateway to E-2
Turkey's citizenship-by-investment program — which grants Turkish citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment (typically $400,000 in real estate) — has become a popular pathway for nationals of non-E-2 countries, particularly from the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. Once Turkish citizenship is obtained, the investor holds a Turkish passport and is eligible for E-2 status. This dual-strategy is particularly common for nationals of countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.
Processing for Turkish Nationals
Turkish nationals apply at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul. Istanbul processes a higher volume of business visa applications. Processing times vary but are typically 4–8 weeks after interview.
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E-2 Visa for Turkish Nationals
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