US-Turkey visa stand-off

What triggered the crisis, who is affected by it, what are their options and how will it ultimately be resolved?

What triggered the crisis, how can those affected gain entry

and who can fix it?

1 What triggered the visa crisis with the US?

The arrest of Mehmet Topuz, who works at the US Consulate General in Istanbul, stands out as the reason for the firing. The US diplomatic mission is arguing that Topuz was not involved in an illegal activity and that the judgment is political. Topuz is facing charges of espionage, attempting to change the Constitution and overthrow the Turkish government.

2 What’s behind the crisis?

The initiator of the visa tensions’ process is linked to Gulen, who is regarded as the architect of the July 15 coup attempt. Gulen has been living in the state of Pennsylvania since 1999. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly demanded extradition requests during bilateral talks with former US President Barack Obama and his successor, Donald Trump, but the official application for Gulen’s recall from the US in August 2016 was not successful. While there have been other issues, including the Syrian-YPG dispute, the fight against ISIS and problems related to the territorial integrity of Iraq, Gulen-related matters lay at the heart of the US-Turkey diplomatic spat.

3 Has such a thing happened in the past?

The current suspension of mutual visa transactions differs from the crisis following negotiations with the US on March 1, 2003 and the sacking of US troops in 2014. The reason for this is that the visa application is so comprehensive as to “spread to the citizens of both countries.” Turkey and the US have always had troubled times, but it is difficult to remember the kind of sanctions that would deprive all of Turkish and American citizens of each other’s countries.

4 Who is affected by the US’ decision?

Non-immigrant visas are affected. These comprise anyone who wants to temporarily visit the US as tourists, for business, temporary work, education or medical treatment. Diplomatic passport holders also need to obtain a visa to go to the US. They will not be able to go to the US if their visa expires or their visas are not available.

5 Can Turks access a US visa through a third country?

The US visa decision is valid for those who want to get US visas from Turkey. Turks who live abroad and have a residence permit do not face any obstacles in getting a visa by going to the US Embassy in the country in which they live.

6 What is the application of Turkey to US citizens?

Following Ankara’s decision, the US option on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ e-visa page was lifted. US citizens who have official, private and diplomatic passports will not be able to obtain visas from Turkish diplomatic missions, nor will they be able to receive e-visas and banderole visas at the border. US citizens who already have visas can enter Turkey.

7 What did President Recep Tayyip Erdogan say about the crisis?

Erdogan blamed the outgoing US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass for a diplomatic crisis between the two countries on Oct. 10 and said Ankara no longer considered him Washington’s envoy. In a blunt and personal attack on Bass, Erdogan suggested that he acted unilaterally in suspending visa services in Turkey. However, after the US government backed its ambassador, Erdogan continued to blame the US for the visa crisis. He said on Oct. 12 that Ankara’s “strategic partnership” with Washington shouldn’t end due to an “impertinent” ambassador.

8 Who is US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass and who might replace him?

Bass, who is said to be one of the rising stars of US diplomacy, was backed by the US despite Turkey’s strong criticism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it took the visa decision in coordination with the White House. Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, described John Bass as “one of the best diplomats” the US has. His next role will be in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, which is among the most strategically important foreign areas for the US. It is not yet known who will replace Bass in Turkey. But it is believed that President Trump may choose to make a political appointment rather than select a career diplomat.

9 How did the US administration respond to the crisis?

The US State Department defended ambassador Bass, saying he had the “full backing” of the US government and his actions were coordinated with the State Department, White House and National Security Council. “Our ambassadors tend not to do things unilaterally,” State Department spokeswoman Nauert told a briefing: “We have a very close coordination and cooperation with our ambassadors,” adding that Bass had done “a terrific job in Turkey.”

10 What steps have been taken to resolve the matter?

Turkey has received a request from the US to solve the escalating row between the two countries, according to Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman for President Erdogan, on Oct. 12, after a US consulate worker was arrested in Istanbul the previous week. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Kalin said cooperation between NATO allies Turkey and the US in the fight against ISIS was not sufficient, adding that the ongoing visa crisis was not complicated and “could be resolved in one day.”