Interview date set, but tourist visa will expire

[Sable 0]

My fiance from Iran is staying in Turkey. Her 3 months visa in Turkey will end 1 week before her interview date. Turkish police did not extend her visa and told her nor go back to Iran since its a risky place these days. They suggested that her best bet is to overstay her visa and pay a fine at exit.

Do you think the embassy will care about her showing up for interview on an expired visa? what do you suggest?

[milimelo 4,500]

Can you contact the US embassy in Turkey and inquire about moving up the interview date? Not sure how strict the Turkish authorities will be when she exits the country. You said she'll just pay a fine?

Shouldn't be a problem for visa issuance.

[Sable 0]

Can you contact the US embassy in Turkey and inquire about moving up the interview date? Not sure how strict the Turkish authorities will be when she exits the country. You said she'll just pay a fine?

Shouldn't be a problem for visa issuance.

Yes I contacted the embassy last month and they said they would not change the interview date because of their load of work. They suggested to get an extension for the visa, but the Turkish police said they are under orders not to extend Iranian's Tourist visa. They said you can overstay your visa and pay a fine of $254.00 at your departure. The only catch will be that the next time you enter Turkey you will have to obtain a visa at an embassy and not at the border.

I am just not sure how the US embassy will view this.

[chileck 0]

Not the only but also the best way is to call the U.S Embassy in Ankara or Istanbul.It's not a child's game or it's not a light thing to hand it up.By the way I'm not a lowyer but I'm a citizen of this country,and the only thing I can say is,if the police told her like that you wrote ,there must be something that they know.Advice..do not take any risks about both the visa and exiting the country.With no doubt,the rightest answer will come from the U.S Embassy.Call there as soon as possible..Be sure they will help you any informations yo want to get.Good luck.

[Elham 1]

I'm a Persian, I'm living my normal life and I'm working in Tehran at the moment and I'm safe and sound. You always know which streets are crowded and risky, so you can stay away from troubles... If she doesn't have any problem in her background to raise problem for her upon her arraival at airport, I don't think there would be any danger for her to back to Iran.

[AminM 0]

Hi Sable,

tell her not to take a chance. If the US embassy wants an excuse, it can use the expired visa to delay the process at least for another couple of month.

The easiest thing would be to take a train to Iran's border and crossover, stay over night and come back the next day. Then she'll have another 3 month. I think you have to leave the country for at least 24 hrs. As far as I know that's all it takes.

Good luck.

Edited July 10, 2009 by AminM