Istanbul Consulates: Greek Island Boom vs. U.S. Visa Delays

Istanbul’s Consulates Face Dual Surge: Greek Island Demand and U.S. Visa Backlogs

Istanbul’s consulates are currently experiencing unprecedented pressure from two distinct sources. On one hand, a massive surge in Turkish tourism to Greek islands is overwhelming the Greek Consulate. On the other, U.S. visa processing is facing significant delays extending into 2027, largely due to regional conflicts and new security screening rules implemented in 2026. This creates a complex situation where different visa applicants face vastly different processing times and outcomes.

Greek Island Travel Booms

The demand for travel from Turkey to the Greek islands has exploded in recent years. Visits jumped from 416,000 in 2022 to over 2.25 million in 2025. To manage this influx, the Greek Consulate in Istanbul is issuing approximately 1,300 visas daily. This surge is partly due to Greece’s expanded “Visa Express” program, which offers a seven-day, island-specific permit. This program, extended through April 2027, has made spontaneous travel to the islands much easier for Turkish citizens.

The success of this short-stay permit system highlights a growing trend toward specialized travel products. As standard Schengen visa rejections have increased, travelers are increasingly seeking out these faster, more accessible options for shorter trips. This creates a clear division in the market, with island tourism moving through one channel and more traditional European travel through another.

U.S. Visa Processing Faces Major Delays

In contrast to the swift processing for Greek island visits, U.S. visa applications in Istanbul are caught in a severe bottleneck. This situation is a result of several policy changes and geopolitical events that began in early 2026. Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on January 1, 2026, suspended entry and visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. This policy also led the USCIS to impose a “Hold and Review” order on pending applications from citizens of these affected countries, including forms for adjustment of status, employment authorization, and naturalization.

Further complicating matters, on January 21, 2026, the Department of State imposed an indefinite pause on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. This measure is in place while screening and vetting procedures are reassessed. These restrictions have significantly narrowed the routes for ordinary visa processing.

The situation was further strained on March 9, 2026, when the U.S. suspended services at its consulate in Adana due to safety risks associated with the Middle East conflict. This move redirected more applicants to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul and the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. These posts had already become primary regional hubs for visa processing for displaced applicants, particularly from Iran, following the escalation of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict in late February 2026 and the suspension of operations at many Middle Eastern U.S. embassies.

An additional set of restrictions was introduced on May 18, 2026, when DHS and the CDC imposed enhanced screening and entry limits for travelers from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. Visa services at the embassies in these countries also paused, adding more overflow to the already strained regional system.

Geopolitics and Travel Collide in Istanbul

Istanbul has become a unique crossroads where leisure travel and crisis-driven mobility intersect. The city’s consulates are now handling two vastly different waves of demand simultaneously. One wave consists of Turkish holidaymakers eager to visit the Greek islands, benefiting from expedited visa processes. The other wave comprises visa applicants displaced by conflict, those affected by suspended embassy services in the region, and individuals navigating U.S. vetting rules that have fundamentally altered application pathways.

For applicants seeking U.S. visas from restricted countries, the process is particularly challenging. A completed interview no longer guarantees a decision. The USCIS hold policy and the immigrant visa freeze create a secondary checkpoint after the interview, potentially leaving applications in administrative hold indefinitely. This contrasts sharply with the experience of Turkish travelers heading to the Greek islands, who can often secure their travel permits within a week.

American citizens in Turkey are also operating under a heightened advisory environment. The U.S. maintains a Level 2 warning for the country, advising increased caution, with specific areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders carrying a Level 4 warning. The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul has been operating under a “Worldwide Caution” since February 28, 2026, reflecting a year where consular work has become more focused on crisis management than routine travel demands. The current environment means that consular work in Istanbul is more intertwined with geopolitical events than with typical travel needs.