US Immigration from Turkey

Hello! I have a Turkish friend who wants to visit me during his 3 week vacation this year. He has worked for the Turkish government for 15 years and regularly travels internationally. However, this would be his first visit to the U.S.

He was told tourist visas are hard to get right now, and have a long wait time for an appointment and processing time.

He was hoping to come in November.

Does anyone have any actual information on this?

Thank you in advance!

Yvette and Zeki

All,

I could not find an answer to this question so sorry if it's redundant.

*Background- Filing AOS for spouse , package almost complete. I-130/130-A sent electronically recently so still within window for concurrent filing of AOS.

My stepchild (Minor under-18) is still abroad and will remain overseas during the IR/CR-1 process but must be physically in USA before her 18th birthday so my military/veterans/social security disability benefits kick in for her. (More on this later). That's 16 months from now. I realize Ankara has a long interview wait list and this is why I don't want to wait for my spouses AOS process to finish before starting my stepchild's.

Q1. Is there a way to simultaneously apply for both my spouse AOS and stepchild CR/IR-1 even thought the processes will be totally different?

Q2. Are there any advantages or disadvantages of doing so? (Cost/time/effort/etc).

Q3. Has anyone on this forum ever done this?

Thank you all for your responses.

My spouse's I-212 waiver was approved at the beginning of December, 2023. From my understanding this approval was sent to the embassy and now we just need to wait. Does anyone know what to expect after an I-212 approval and how long it takes for the embassy to contact you regarding the next steps? We have been checking the CEAC website for updates but none so far. Thanks in advance!

Ok, I searched for this particular question and could not find it here.

I scheduled the medical examination for my spouse and the civil surgeon's office says that they do NOT provide an interpreter. I know this is in violation of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, and Title II of American for Disabilities Act. Before I call them out on this and create an unfriendly environment pre-visit, I need to ask the group the following:

1. Even if the civil surgeon provides an interpreter, it would be a remote over-the-phone session BUT form I-693 instructions state that the interpreter must sign and date the form. How can a remote interpreter sign the form? I did get two quotes for $260/hour and another for $100/hr. but if they cannot sign the form and USCIS will reject it, why bother?

2. If i were to find an interpreter to come in person, would he/she need to be inside the room? I have read that some doctors check breast, genitals, etc. Sounds a little uncomfortable.

3. Assuming my spouse can't produce vaccination records, which vaccines will she be required to get?

I was told TDAP/MMR/VARICELLA/HEP B/FLU/COVID, but want to confirm.

4. How long did you all wait for lab /x ray results before picking up the sealed copy?

Thanks so much for your help.

My fianc did his interview a week ago and they refused his visa because of his passport, he is from Somalia but currently lives in Turkey. They returned his passport and gave him a yellow form that says reply to the email. The email says In order to continue processing your case, our office will request a passport waiver for you from the United States Customs and Border Patrol to allow you to enter the United States. and that he should send them a flight reservation. Does anyone have any idea about a passport waiver? I couldn t get any information online or how long it takes to get a waiver?..
Thank you in advance