US embassy in Ankara says visa restrictions on Turkey lifted

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara said on Thursday that it has lifted the restrictions on visas issued in Turkey.

The U.S. Department of State also said the country will fully resume all U.S. visa services in Turkey.

Following the statement, the Turkish embassy in Washington said it welcomes the decision and it has also lifted all visa restrictions for U.S. citizens.

The move comes a little more than a week after the U.S. announced that earliest visa appointments would be scheduled for January 2019.

Turkey's lira firmed after the statement to 3.78 against the dollar, its highest level since Oct. 31.

The U.S. Embassy on Oct. 8 stated that "applications from Turkey were halted for an indefinite period." The decision came after the arrest of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ)-affiliated U.S. Consulate General employee Metin Topuz.

Hours later, the Turkish Embassy in the U.S. announced that processing non-immigrant visa applications have been suspended in retaliation to the American move.

A total of 249 people were martyred and nearly 2,200 injured in the July 15 failed coup which was perpetrated by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), led by ringleader Fetullah Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.