Obtaining a US visa for Greek citizens will facilitate your entry into this North American nation from Greece. Understanding every requirement and following every step of the visa application process is essential for a faultless and easy visa application process. A detailed guide to obtaining this US visa will be mentioned in this E-vissa.com article, with the aim of providing you with an overview of the US visa and its application process. Let’s join this post for further information!
Applying for a US visa for Greek citizens will be necessary if you plan to visit the USA either temporarily or permanently. Furthermore, based on your nationality, you will not need to obtain a valid US visa through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Greece is not only a member of the European Union (EU) but also a participant in this Visa Waiver Program. This implies that, as a Greek passport holder, you are eligible to enter the United States of America (USA) without a visa as long as you obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that this ESTA only permits you to enter the country for brief visits for travel or business. Thus, if you intend to travel to the US for a different reason or if you intend to stay there for an extended period of time, you must apply for a US visa at a local US diplomatic mission.
Having prior preparation for these applications will play an important role in increasing the possibility of receiving approval for a US visa or an ESTA. Thus, you must fulfill certain conditions, gather all the documents, understand various types of US visas, and learn about the length of time your application will take to be processed. For more specific details, you must carefully read the following parts:
Whether you apply for a US visa for Greek citizens or an ESTA, it is required that you prepare all the necessary documents for both applications. Thus, giving consideration to the lists below will be a must-do:
Essential documents for a US visa application for Greek citizens:
You need to compile the following paperwork to be ready to apply for a US visa:
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Documents |
Requirements |
|---|---|
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Greek passport |
You must hold a Greek passport that is valid for at least six months after entering the USA. |
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Filled-out US visa application form |
You need to make sure that all the information is entered accurately and without errors. |
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Personal picture |
You have to attach a picture that satisfies the specifications for a typical US picture with your US visa application for Greek citizens. |
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Information about your social media accounts |
You have to provide all of your social media accounts, along with any additional personal data pertaining to these accounts. |
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Receipt for your US visa fees |
You need to show proof that you paid the US visa application fees. Thus, a receipt you receive after making your visa fee payment will be needed. |
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Additional documents |
Depending on the type of US visa you plan to apply for, you will be required to turn in extra paperwork for the purpose of supporting your visa application. |
You must hold a Greek passport that is valid for at least six months after entering the USA
Essential documents for a US ESTA application for Greek citizens:
If you decide to apply for an ESTA, you have to meet the criteria and obtain all the documents listed below:
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Category |
Descriptions |
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|---|---|---|
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Criteria |
Eligibility |
You have to be a citizen of one of the countries that are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. You will be allowed to register for this program if you are a Greek citizen. |
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No US visa application |
You do not obtain a US visitor visa (B-1 or B-2 visas). |
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Length of stay |
You plan to visit the USA for a maximum of ninety days. |
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Travel purpose |
You want to take a vacation or business trip to the USA. |
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Documents |
A valid e-passport |
It remains valid for an additional six months beyond the date on which you intend to depart the USA. |
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Acceptable payment methods |
To pay for your ESTA fees, you can use American Express, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, or Discover. |
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If you do not meet any one of these requirements, you will not be able to apply for an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. In this situation, you must apply for a US visa to be allowed to enter the USA.
In addition to an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program, the US government offers many visa categories to facilitate increased opportunities for foreign nationals, including Greek citizens, to enter this country of North America. These categories include:
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Application method |
Category |
Description |
Types |
|---|---|---|---|
|
US visa application |
Visas for non-immigrants |
Non-immigrant visas are normally granted for short trips to the USA, such as those for employment, recreation, business, family visits, and education. |
Temporary business visa (B-1 visa): The B-1 visa may be issued to those who wish to enter the US as domestic workers or nannies, professional or amateur athletes, or for business reasons like attending industry seminars or conventions, conducting contract negotiations, settling estates, etc. |
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Tourist visa (B-2 visa): The following are the reasons why Greek citizens are granted B-2 visas:
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Visas for immigrants |
Greek individuals who wish to live permanently in the USA are typically granted immigrant visas through family reunions or immigrant investment programs. |
Visas for spouses (IR-1 and CR-1 visas): A legal spouse of a US citizen is eligible to apply for one of these visas. You must have official marriage documentation because living together does not qualify as marriage. |
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Employer-sponsored visas: These visas are immigrant visas that let their holders work in the USA permanently. A maximum of 140,000 employment-based visas are issued by the government of the USA in each fiscal year. |
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Note: Besides these US visas, there are additional types of immigrant and non-immigrant visas; therefore, choosing the most appropriate visa type and checking your visa eligibility will be required, depending on your main travel purpose. |
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ESTA |
The US government developed the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as an electronic platform to expedite the process of applying for the Visa Waiver Program. Although the ESTA is not considered a US visa, obtaining an ESTA will be very important if you want to enter the USA under this program for a short-term stay. As a Greek national, you can enter the US without a visa by applying for an ESTA under this program in the event that you plan to stay for fewer than 90 days for either business or tourism. An ESTA approval is typically valid for numerous entries over a two-year period. |
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The US government offers many visa categories to facilitate increased opportunities for foreign nationals, including Greek citizens
Your application for a US visa for Greek citizens will normally be processed in a few working days if you are successful in submitting it via the website of the Consular Electronic Application Center. That being said, you should notice that the processing of your visa application can last longer in certain situations.
All arriving Greek travelers who want to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program must apply online for a travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to their departure from the United States. However, you may wait for more than 72 hours if the information you provided indicates any potential security risks or prior criminal activity.
The procedures for applying for an ESTA or a US visa for Greek nationals will include the following steps:
Here is the list of steps in the process for an application for a US visa for citizens of Greece:
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Steps |
Description |
|---|---|
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Decide which type of US visa you require |
Although there are several types of US visas, you must choose the most suitable one, depending on why you wish to visit the USA. |
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Gather the necessary paperwork |
You must collect all the necessary documents for your US visa application for Greek citizens, such as your valid passport, personal photo, etc. |
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Fill out the application for a US visa |
Once you decide on the type of US visa you need to apply for, you must fill out the application for a US visa, providing all of your correct personal data. Via the Consular Electronic Application Center, you can submit your application electronically. |
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Cover the cost of your US visa |
The cost of the US visa varies based on the type of visa you are applying for, and it must be paid before you submit your application for a US visa. It is noteworthy that you will need to show the receipt you received after paying the US visa cost when you attend your appointment. Besides, the US visa fees, after being paid, are non-refundable. |
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Make an in-person appointment for a US visa |
You must schedule a face-to-face appointment with the US visa application after paying a visa fee. This appointment is really important in deciding the outcome of your visa application to enter the USA. |
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Attend the US diplomatic mission for your interview for a US visa for Greek citizens |
You must visit the US diplomatic mission on time for your appointment on the scheduled day. If you appear late, your appointment is likely to be canceled. You must make sure you are well-prepared with all of your documentation so that you do not have a disorganized mess when you see the consular official. The staff of the US diplomatic mission will gather and review your application documents prior to your attendance at the interview. You will have a brief discussion with a consular officer lasting a few minutes. |
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Receive the decision on your US visa application |
Your Greek passport or any other travel document attesting to your authorization to enter the USA will be added to your approved US visa if your application is accepted. |
Your Greek passport will be added to your approved US visa if your application is accepted
The process for an ESTA application for Greek citizens will include the following steps:
You must complete the application form for an ESTA on the Customs and Borders Protection’s official website with all of your precise personal data.
You must not only submit your necessary documents but also pay for your ESTA fees.
You need to wait for the decision on your ESTA application within a period of time. The outcome will determine your eligibility to enter the USA with a valid ESTA instead of a US visa for Greek citizens.
The outcome of your application will determine your eligibility to enter the USA with a valid ESTA instead of a US visa
By using the services of E-vissa.com, you can expedite your application process for a US visa for Greek citizens in a simple, effective, and fast manner.
E-vissa.com ensures that you will receive worry-free support with the visa application process. You can communicate with our experts to learn about all aspects of form filling, paperwork preparation, and the submission of your visa application. Our staff can also handle all the steps of the application process on your behalf, freeing up your time so you can concentrate on dealing with other aspects of your trip to the USA.
Our experienced travel advisors will also provide you with step-by-step guidance after carefully reviewing all of the information you provide. Thus, we can guarantee that your US visa application is correctly filled out and submitted on schedule if you decide to use our services.
In conclusion, keep in mind that you cannot enter the USA unless you have a valid US visa for Greek citizens or an ESTA. It is quite difficult for you to apply for these applications alone. Email us at [email protected] in the event that you want to discuss any pertinent visa-related matters.
