Non-immigrant Visas

• Am I eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
• Who is not eligible to travel on the VWP?
• Why should I travel on the VWP rather than obtaining a 10 year visa? 
• Are there any disadvantages to using the VWP?
• I’d like to visit my grandchildren for the whole summer.  Am I eligible to travel on the VWP?
• Can I get an extension of my stay or change to another visa category while in the U.S. under the VWP?
• I’m a doctor and have been invited to attend a medical conference.  Is this an appropriate use of the VWP?
• I am a sailor/crewmember.  Can I travel on the VWP to join a vessel/aircraft in the United States?
• I have NATO travel orders.  Am I required to register under ESTA?
• I already have a valid visa in my passport.  Can I still use that to travel?  Do I have to complete ESTA?
• I have a valid visa in my old Greek passport.  Can I still use it to travel?
• If I pay the visa application (MRV) fee and later decide that I want to use the VWP instead of applying for a visa, can I have my money refunded?
• What should I do if I overstayed in the U.S. on a previous visit?
• I was denied a visa the last time I applied.  Can I travel on the VWP and register under ESTA?
• I have previously been arrested and/or convicted.  Can I travel on the VWP and register under ESTA? 
• I am entering the U.S. on a private yacht.  Do I qualify for the VWP?
• I plan to enter the U.S. aboard a private airplane.  Can I travel using the VWP?
• My passport still contains the I-94 (white) card from my last visit to the US.  What should I do?
• I lived in the U.S. previously as a legal permanent resident (“green card”).  Am I eligible to travel on the VWP?
• If I enter the United States under the VWP, can I be readmitted to the United States following a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island?
• My Greek passport, with the e-chip, will expire in less than six months.  May I travel on the VWP?
• How do I know that my Greek passport contains the e-chip?
  Am I eligible to travel on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

Greek nationals and others from approved VWP countries traveling for business, pleasure, or transit who intend to enter the US for 90 days or less may be eligible to travel using the Visa Waiver Program.  The traveler must have a biometric e-passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended visit.  You must have completed the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) no later than 72 hours before traveling.  The ESTA online system is maintained by DHS, not by the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece.

Who is not eligible to travel on the VWP?

Anyone who does not meet all of the conditions on the “checklist” or who:

• Received an ESTA reply indicating they must apply for a visa;
• Does not have a Greek citizen’s e-chip passport;
• Intends to work in the U.S. (paid or unpaid), including work as a journalist, au-pair, intern, musician, etc.;
• Intends to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days; or
• Intends to attend school or university in the U.S.
  Individuals who have been arrested, who have a communicable disease, or who have immigration violations in the U.S. may not be eligible for the VWP.  Those travelers who have been previously refused a visa or denied entry to the U.S. are also ineligible for VWP.  For information on applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, please click here.

Why should I travel on the VWP rather than obtaining a 10 year visa? 

The advantage of traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is that tourists and individuals wishing to conduct business in the United States can travel without obtaining a visa, assuming that they are not otherwise inadmissible.  For most travelers, obtaining travel authorization is simple and quick.  Obtaining a visa, however, typically requires an appointment, travel to the Embassy, an interview, processing time and the payment of the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee.

Are there any disadvantages to using the VWP?

If you are admitted to the U.S. under the VWP, you may not change or extend your non-immigrant status.  If your admission is denied at the point of entry, you have no right to an administrative or judicial review.  Likewise, if you are found to have violated the terms of your admission, you forfeit the right to contest a removal order.

I’d like to visit my grandchildren for the whole summer.  Am I eligible to travel on the VWP?

If you are planning to stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days, you must travel with a valid visa.  The VWP is only to be used by travelers remaining in the U.S. for 90 days or less.  You cannot obtain an extension of your stay on the VWP.

Can I get an extension of my stay or change to another visa category while in the U.S. under the VWP?

No.

I’m a doctor and have been invited to attend a medical conference.  Is this an appropriate use of the VWP?

Yes.  For the purpose of the VWP, “business travel” generally refers to business activities other than the performance of skilled or unskilled labor.  Examples of activities that are allowed include:

• Engaging in international commercial transactions, which do not involve gainful employment in the US;
• Negotiating contracts;
• Consulting with business associates; and
• Participating in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars.

The performance of any skilled or unskilled labor—even if it is unpaid—is prohibited on the VWP.

I am a sailor/crewmember.  Can I travel on the VWP to join a vessel/aircraft in the United States?

No.  Seamen/crewmembers must have a valid C1/D visa in their passport (not seaman’s log) to allow them to join a vessel or aircraft in the United States.  Please click here for information on how to make an appointment.

I have NATO travel orders.  Am I required to register under ESTA?

ESTA applies only to those individuals traveling to the United States under the VWP.  If you are traveling with NATO orders, you are not required to register.  For information on applying for a NATO visa, please click here.

I already have a valid visa in my passport.  Can I still use that to travel?  Do I have to complete ESTA?

Individuals already possessing a valid visa will still be able to travel to the U.S. on that visa as long as the purpose of travel remains the same.  Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). 

I have a valid visa in my old Greek passport.  Can I still use it to travel?

Yes, provided that you travel with the old passport containing the valid visa together with the new biometric passport and that your biographic information (whole name, date and place of birth, etc.) is the same and correct in both documents.  You do not need to complete an ESTA if traveling with a valid visa.

If I pay the visa application (MRV) fee and later decide that I want to use the VWP instead of applying for a visa, can I have my money refunded?

No.  The MRV fee in non-refundable.

What should I do if I overstayed in the U.S. on a previous visit?

You must apply for a visa.  Click here for information on how to make an appointment.

I was denied a visa the last time I applied.  Can I travel on the VWP and register under ESTA?

Applicants who have previously been denied a visa may not be eligible to travel on the VWP and should apply for a visa at the Embassy.  If your most recent application for a visa was temporarily suspended under Section 221(g), you may be eligible for ESTA.  Please answer YES to the ESTA question regarding previous applications.

I have previously been arrested and/or convicted.  Can I travel on the VWP and register under ESTA? 

Anyone who has been arrested and/or convicted must have a visa in order to travel.  Please note that minor traffic offenses, such as speeding, which did not result in an arrest or conviction, will not prevent a traveler from using VWP.

I am entering the U.S. on a private yacht.  Do I qualify for the VWP?

No.  If you are entering the U.S. on a private yacht, you will require a visa.  Click here for information on how to make an appointment.

I plan to enter the U.S. aboard a private airplane.  Can I travel using the VWP?

VWP travel requires that you enter the U.S. aboard an authorized carrier.  If the private aircraft belongs to a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to carry passengers under the VWP, then you will not need a visa.  You must contact the carrier directly to determine if the corporation has entered into such an agreement.  The Embassy does not have that information.  If you are entering aboard any other private or official aircraft, you will require a visa. 

My passport still contains the I-94 (white) card from my last visit to the US.  What should I do?

Click here for instructions in order to mail in the white card (I-94) to the appropriate authorities.

I lived in the U.S. previously as a legal permanent resident (“green card”).  Am I eligible to travel on the VWP?

If you were previously a green card holder who no longer resides in the U.S. and no longer wants to maintain that status, you should contact the Embassy’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to make arrangements to relinquish your green card status prior to completing the ESTA.  For more information please click here.  If you wish to maintain your green card status, you should contact USCIS regarding your options.

If I enter the United States under the VWP, can I be readmitted to the United States following a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island?

Generally, travelers admitted under the VWP may be readmitted to the United States after a departure to Canada or Mexico or adjacent islands* for the balance of their original admission period provided the traveler:

• can identify an authorized period of admission that has not expired;
• plans to depart the United States no later than the expiration date of their original period of admission;
• presents a valid, unexpired passport(s) which reflects admission to the United States under the VWP and continues to meet all other VWP criteria, with the exception of arrival on a signatory carrier.
  *for a list of “adjacent islands” visit www.cbp.gov

My Greek passport, with the e-chip, will expire in less than six months.  May I travel on the VWP?

Yes, as long as you will have completed your planned stay in the U.S. before the expiration date of your passport.  Greek citizens are permitted to enter the U.S. with either a valid visa or an approved ESTA using a passport that is valid for less than six months.  Please note that your ESTA approval will expire when your passport expires or in two years, whichever is shorter.

How do I know that my Greek passport contains the e-chip?
All Greek passports issued on/after August 27, 2006 contain the e-chip.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To all bearers of Greek passports issued only on August 26, 2006 who wish to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.  Before you initiate the procedure of the ESTA application please check your passport with the Greek Police Authorities in order to be informed if your passport contains the microchip or not.

If your passport was issued on August 26, 2006 and contains the microchip you may apply for an ESTA, and if approved, you may travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

However, if your passport was issued on August 26, 2006 and does not contain the microchip, you will need to apply for a visa.  Please visit our web page for further information on how you may schedule an appointment and the required documents.