Greece Extends Pilot Program Granting Visas on Islands for Visitors Arriving from Turkey

Photo: GTP

The visa facilitation pilot program that allows non-European Union citizens from Turkish ports to visit selected Greek islands in the eastern Aegean without a visa from a Greek consulate will run again this season, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, following efforts to strengthen Greek tourism, the pilot program for the issuing of tourist visas to tourists coming from Turkey to the border entry points of the islands of the Eastern Aegean (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi, Kastelorizo) will be extended for one year.

According to the pilot program, Turkish tourists or other non-EU citizens visiting Turkey that wish to visit the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Symi and Kastelorizo for less than 15 days can issue visas either through Turkish travel agents or straight from the ports of the islands (with the proper documentation).

All visas will be issued through the new electronic Visa Information System (VIS), with collection of applicants’ biometric data and digital vetting of applications.