An official website of the United States government

Worldwide Caution - Enroll in STEP

U.S. Visa Services
Visit the United States

NOTICE

Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.  Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. For more information, visit travel.state.gov.

All individuals applying for an A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H1-B, H-3, H-4 dependent of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, or U nonimmigrant visa are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law. More information is available at travel.state.gov.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.  Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov.

Effective immediately, the Department of State has paused all visa issuances to diversity immigrant visa applicants. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.

Changes to the visa appointment scheduling process

The U.S. Embassy in Athens will be using a new visa appointment system from a new visa services provider starting on May 30, 2025.
Through the new service, visa applicants will be able to obtain visa information, pay visa application fees, schedule and reschedule visa interview appointments.
Please note: all nonimmigrant visa appointments that have already been scheduled (or will be scheduled before May 15, 2025), will remain valid even after launch of the new visa appointment system. Visa applicants should plan to attend their appointments on the scheduled dates and times.

Specific instructions:
• If you already have an appointment scheduled: No further action is needed; attend your appointment on the scheduled date and time.
• If you have paid the visa application fee but have not scheduled an interview appointment: We recommend that you schedule your appointment before May 15, 2025 using the current appointment scheduling system before the appointment system is restricted to read-only access.
• If you are planning to apply for a visa but you have not started your visa application process: We recommend that you pay the visa application fee and schedule your appointment as soon as possible, because the current appointment system will not accept new visa fee payments beginning May 15, 2025, for cash payments and beginning May 18, 2025, for credit card payments.

Important note: Between May 15 and 29, visa applicants will have read-only access to the appointment system. This means that applicants will not be able to generate payment slips to pay new visa fees; schedule, reschedule, or cancel appointments; request expedite appointment requests, etc.

Contact us through our Visa Navigator.

If you are not sure about what you are looking for, search through the A-Z index.

What is a Visa?

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States.

Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.

Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?

For short-term visits to the United States (for tourism, business, education, and more), you can go directly to the online application (form DS-160). For immigrant visas,  which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms.  If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. 

Important Announcement on New Requirement for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants

Starting May 1st, 2025, all visa applicants must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with AA00xxxxxx) that matches the one used to make their appointment online. If the confirmation/barcode number on your DS-160 form does not match the one you used to book your appointment, you will not be allowed to interview.

If your barcode numbers do not match, you will need to book a new appointment to proceed with your visa application.

Before your interview, applicants are advised to double-check the barcode number on your DS-160 form matches the one you used to schedule your appointment.  Ensuring that your barcode numbers match will help avoid delays and ensure a smooth interview process.

If you have any questions or need help, please visit this link for assistance.

Call center telephone:
Dialing from Greece: +30 211 198 6174
Dialing from the US: +1 313 379 5024
Email: support-greece@usvisascheduling.com 

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

Citizens of Greece can benefit from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. These authorizations are generally valid for two years. ESTA applications may be found on the ESTA website or the “ESTA Mobile” app through the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.

ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets. It takes on average 72 hours/3 days to receive approval but given wait times for visa appointments, we strongly recommend applicants submit their application as early as feasible.

Travel authorization is quick, easy, and less expensive than a visa application.

Please note: Unlike entry on a B1/B2 tourist visa, most stay extensions in the United States are not allowed under the Visa Waiver Program. If you are traveling for medical treatment or another purpose which may require an extended stay in the United States, we highly recommend you apply for a visa rather than traveling on ESTA.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ESTA Program are answered on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website here.

 

Visa Mail-In Types

Based on current guidelines, you may be eligible to apply for a U.S. visa or renew your visa in Greece without an interview if you meet certain conditions. Please follow the steps in the link.

Our Locations
The map below shows where we provide consular services.

U.S. Embassy Athens

U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki

Utah
Telluride
Colorado Sand Dunes