US lifts visa checks
Greece
Fri, 9 Oct 2026 7:49 GMT
The United States has normalized Greece’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program, ending more than a decade of surveillance, officials said.
US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Robert Law delivered a letter confirming the decision Tuesday to Greek Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis. Department officials and Greek Police characterized the development as an institutional and diplomatic success.
The US placed Greece on temporary status in 2016 following a poor 2014 assessment of travel documents and entry controls.
Greece achieved normalization after issuing over five million new identity cards, integrating biometric data into passports, and enhancing security checks. Greek travelers will still complete electronic temporary visa applications, but issuance will process faster without stricter airport arrival checks.
Kathimerini
