There are several pathways available to Turkish nationals looking to immigrate to the United States.
The US has welcomed many thousands of Turkish immigrants, particularly in waves of immigration in the 1950s and 1970s, which were influenced by political changes in Turkey. At the end of the 20th century, an estimated 350,000 Turkish nationals and Americans of Turkish descent resided in the US, especially in urban population centers. Ranked as the state with the 8th largest Turkish population in the country, there is no shortage of community-building opportunities in the Greater Boston area. Immigrating to Massachusetts means access to quality education, world-class healthcare, and impressive employment opportunities.
If you need help immigrating to MA from Turkey, contact Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez. Giselle helps clients with the full range of immigration challenges, from visas to citizenship. She works with clients throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Contact Giselle today to discuss your case or read on to find out more about protecting your immigration status in the United States.
Community Resources
Massachusetts is home to multiple Turkish cultural centers that offer performances, classes, trips, and other events that develop a sense of community among Turkish immigrants living in the States. The Turkish Cultural Center Massachusetts in Revere offers cultural events such as music performances, as well as after-school care and language classes. Involvement in the community can help make the transition to a new country more manageable.
For Muslim immigrants from Turkey, there are even more resources available to connect with the Muslim population of Boston. There are several mosques and religious centers in Boston, some of which offer youth classes and other extracurriculars.
In addition to cultural centers and community organizations, the Turkish Consulate is conveniently located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
Processing Time in Boston
Processing times will vary depending on your immigration situation and needs. For visas, processing time will vary based on the type of visa you are applying for. Marriage visas, for instance, require processing from both USCIS and the embassy or consulate in your home country. While the processing time varies depending on the visa, current estimates for visa application are around 7-24 months.
Petitions for relatives can take anywhere months or years to process. For green card applications, processing time is averaging 12 months at the Boston USCIS Office. Applications for naturalization are now estimated to take between 8 and 10 months to process.
The important thing to remember with all immigration processes is that acting sooner is better than waiting. If you or a loved one are ready to begin your journey from Turkey to the United States, contacting my office is the easiest and best next step.