In early March, the Secretary of Homeland Security designated Greece as eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The program enables nationals of participating countries to visit the U.S. for tourism or business for periods up to 90 days without needed to obtain a visa. Nationals of VWP countries are required to meet certain eligibility requirements to enter the U.S. under this program without a visa and must have valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling. Additionally, these travelers are screened at the port of entry in which they enter the U.S. and are enrolled in the US-VISIT program.

Nationals of Greece that are eligible to participate in VWP can travel to the U.S. without a visa beginning April 5, 2010. Greek travelers may immediately apply for travel authorization under ESTA.

Countries designated as eligible for VWP include the following: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.