Greece now a member of the Visa Waiver Program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) March 9, 2010. Greek nationals can travel on the VWP beginning April 5, 2010.

Greek citizens will be permitted to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.  However, like VWP travelers from the other 35 countries, Greek citizens will be required to apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Web-based system. Click here to read our blog entry about ESTA.

In accordance with the VWP designation process, DHS determined that Greece complies with key security and information-sharing requirements — such as enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States; timely reporting of lost and stolen passports; and the maintenance of high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, aviation and document security standards.

Greece’s VWP designation represents a major step forward in the continued and long-standing economic and security partnership between the United States and Greece – reflecting more than two years of coordination between the two countries on Greece’s entry into VWP. The VWP was established as a pilot program in 1986 to help eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel and made permanent on October 30, 2000.

“I commend our partners in Greece for committing to strong screening and security standards and enhanced information sharing for travel by Greek citizens to the United States, as we work together to protect our citizens and strengthen our economies,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov or esta.cbp.dhs.gov.