Up to date 9/13/2021
NOTE: In case you are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Everlasting Resident (“Inexperienced Card” holder), the NIE data beneath does NOT pertain to you. In case you are the authorized partner of a U.S. citizen or Inexperienced Card holder, scroll all the way down to “Household-Based mostly Exemptions.”
Schengen Journey Restrictions Stay in Place
Presidential Proclamation 10143, which suspended journey from the 26 Schengen Space international locations, together with Greece,stays in drive. These restrictions apply regardless if in case you have a sound U.S. visa, ESTA or have been absolutely vaccinated.
Normally, journey by non-U.S. residents from Greece to the USA is barely attainable in case you qualify and are accredited for a Nationwide Curiosity Exception (NIE), are exempted by visa class, or qualify for a Household Exemption.
The truth that the federal government of Greece lifted most journey restrictions for vacationers from the USA doesn’t change this coverage; this was not a reciprocal determination. Your COVID vaccination standing additionally makes no distinction. We can’t predict how lengthy these restrictions will stay in place.
TOURISM & LEISURE TRAVEL REMAINS SUSPENDED
Most journey functions that fall beneath the B1/B2 visa class will seemingly not qualify for a Nationwide Curiosity Exception, even if in case you have a sound visa or ESTA. This contains, however not restricted to, tourism; trip; visiting household or associates; visiting a fiancée, fiancé, girlfriend, boyfriend, cohabitation companion; attending a marriage or commencement ceremony; visiting a pregnant relative or child; routine enterprise conferences; attending an expert convention; sustaining a rental or funding property; and so on. We have no idea when these restrictions shall be lifted.
NATIONAL INTEREST EXCEPTIONS (NIE) AND EXEMPTED TRAVELERS
Whereas routine Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) providers stay suspended, U.S. Embassy Athens Consular Part continues to supply emergency and mission vital visa providers to candidates exempted from COVID-19 associated Presidential Proclamations. For extra data on the Presidential Proclamations, see the travel.state.gov web site.
Nationwide Curiosity Exceptions fall into the next classes:
- College students*,
- Lecturers/researchers,
- Public well being professionals,
- Authorities officers*,
- Crew members,
- Emergency medical therapy,
- Humanitarian causes,
- Others whose journey is within the U.S. nationwide curiosity for very important help to vital infrastructure, important financial exercise, or nationwide safety.
*Exempted vacationers: College students with legitimate F or M visas and a sound I-20 type, and Authorities officers and Diplomats touring with legitimate A or G visas don’t require NIEs. It’s possible you’ll proceed with journey.
Athletes should request an NIE from U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP). We’re not approved to think about sports-related NIEs.
Requesting a Nationwide Curiosity Exception (NIE)
CURRENT WAIT TIME: 5 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE REQUEST.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW THOROUGHLY BEFORE APPLYING. INCOMPLETE / INCORRECT REQUESTS WILL DELAY YOUR CASE.
STEP 1: CONFIRM YOUR PHYSICAL PRESENCE. U.S. Embassy Athens will solely contemplate NIE candidates who’re bodily current in Greece with authorized standing comparable to Greek residents and everlasting or non permanent residents holding a sound Greek residency card. All different vacationers, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate Basic in your nation of residence. For those who qualify however are presently in the USA, please wait till you come to Athens earlier than submitting your NIE request.
STEP 2: Ship an e mail to AthensNIE@state.gov with the topic line “NIE dd-mmm-yyyy SURNAME,” changing the letters with the day, month, and 12 months of your supposed journey date. For instance, “NIE 25-DEC-2021 SMITH″ if you’re touring on December 25, 2021, and your surname is Smith. Your e-mail MUST include all the next:
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- A scanned copy of every traveler’s visa or ESTA authorization;
- A scanned copy of every traveler’s passport photograph web page;
- Objective of journey, and any supporting paperwork that clearly present the way you qualify for an NIE;
- A replica of your flight itinerary, or proposed journey dates;
- Proof of Greek residency, if you’re not a Greek citizen (passport holder)
- Please present the next data within the physique of your e mail:
- Surname:
- First identify:
- Date of Delivery:
- Place of Delivery:
- Nationality:
- Gender:
- Visa Class / ESTA (legitimate till date):
- Objective of Journey:
Please be aware: the traveler should ship all attachments and data required in a single e mail. Necessary: In case you are making use of for an NIE on behalf of one other traveler who is eighteen years of age or older the traveler have to be copied on all NIE correspondence on account of privateness legal guidelines outlined beneath part 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
STEP 3: Please enable as much as 5 enterprise days for Consular Officers to assessment your paperwork and {qualifications}. U.S. Consular Part Athens is processing lots of of NIE requests per day with restricted assets. We admire your persistence throughout this course of. Please don’t ship a number of functions or requests for updates, as this solely additional slows down processing.
STEP 4: In case your NIE is accredited, you can be notified by e mail. Don’t try and test in to your flight on-line or journey earlier than you obtain e mail notification of your NIE approval. The NIE shall be issued electronically and visual to related authorities companies and airways.
NIE VALIDITY EXTENDED TO ONE YEAR, MULTIPLE ENTRIES
Efficient July 5, 2021, all NIEs are legitimate for 12 months and a number of entries, for a similar function of journey. That is retroactive for NIEs issued on or after July 5, 2020. There is no such thing as a additional motion or paperwork required from the Embassy and it’s possible you’ll proceed with journey. Your function of journey have to be the identical as for the originally-issued NIE.
VISA APPLICANTS
In case you are a visa applicant with an upcoming scheduled appointment at U.S. Consulate Athens, or had been lately issued a visa right here, please do NOT apply for an NIE. Your NIE shall be issued routinely when the visa is accredited.
Vacationers with out Legitimate Visas
For those who consider that you simply fall into any of the above classes however require a visa, please comply with the steering offered at https://gr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/. You’re answerable for finishing your individual visa utility, paying the suitable price and scheduling an appointment.
FAMILY-BASED EXEMPTIONS
Sure vacationers are exempt from COVID journey restrictions together with:
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- Legally married spouses of U.S. Residents (USC);
- Legally married spouses of Lawful Everlasting Residents (LPRs, also referred to as “Inexperienced Card” holders);
- Beneath-21, single baby of a USC or LPR;
- Dad or mum or guardian of an under-21, single USC or LPR;
- Beneath-21 single sibling of an under-21 single USC or LPR.
Single companions, cohabitation agreements, fiancées, fiancés, boyfriends, girlfriends, grownup kids, dad and mom, grandparents and different prolonged household don’t qualify for household exemptions.
Required Paperwork: For those who qualify for Household Exemptions, you do not want an NIE. You will need to nonetheless have a sound ESTA or U.S. Visa, plus documentation that proves your relationship to the U.S. Citizen or LPR relative comparable to marriage certificates, beginning certificates, adoption decrees, and so on.
In case you are a citizen of a rustic that requires a U.S. visa, please https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gr/niv to use for a visa, pay the visa price, and schedule an appointment for a B2 visa. After scheduling an appointment, you possibly can return to that web site and request an expedited appointment, with an evidence of your Household Exemption standing.
Obligatory COVID Testing and Quarantine Necessities
All airline passengers to the USA ages two years and older should present a unfavourable COVID-19 viral check taken inside three calendar days of journey – even if in case you have already been absolutely vaccinated. Alternatively, vacationers might present documentation from a licensed well being care supplier of getting recovered from COVID-19 within the 90 days previous journey. Test the CDC website for extra data and Frequently Asked Questions. The CDC Management and Prevention testing requirement additionally contains testing and self-quarantine tips it’s essential to comply with after your arrival in the USA.
Admission to the USA stays topic to a dedication by Customs and Border Safety (CBP) on the U.S. Port of Entry. Having a sound visa or ESTA approval together with an NIE will not be a assure of admission.
