ISTANBUL (AA) - United States Consulate General in Istanbul has announced the launch of a new visa practice called "Business Visa Program" (BVP), aimed to meet a rising demand in Turkish business world which parallels a growing trade volume between Turkey and US.
"We are aware that the trade between US and Turkey has reached an all-time high," said consulate official Sandi Ingram. "We started BVP last week. It will help strengthen trade ties between the two countries, and increase personal relationships."
The program will allow Turkish citizens, mainly businesspeople, to get visas fast for unforeseeable circumstances that necessitate an urgent travel to the US.
Applications for health, education and business related travels would take precedence in visa evaluation, Ingram said.
"For example, if there is a life-threatening situation, the application is immediately admitted for evaluation," she said. "Not long ago, we evaluated such an application in two hours. We instantly accepted the application of a Turkish grandmother and grandfather whose six-year-old grandson was in a coma in the US."
Journalists could also benefit from the program, Ingram said, in emergency situations where it is diffcult to tell when to act.
Those whose visa applications have been rejected in the last year or those wishing to attend conferences, fairs or trips in large groups would be excluded from the program, she said.
