Skip Navigation
You Are In: Visas > Non-Immigrant Visas > How to Apply > Required Documents
Skip Left Section Navigation

Non-Immigrant Visas

Documents Required for Non-Immigrant Visa Applications 

All nonimmigrant visa applicants must fill out the new online EVAF DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). Non-electronic DS-156 applications cannot be accepted.  Note:  the Consular Section is unable to process visa applications with passports for infants or children with a printed name of “FNU” (first name unknown), or “Avaptisto” (unbaptized).  If you come to the Embassy with the either “FNU” or “Avaptisto” on the passport, the visa issuance will be delayed until the new passport containing the full legal name is received. We kindly request that you return to your Registrar’s Office to update the child’s birth certificate and proceed to your passport issuing agency to acquire a passport with the legal first and last name.  This process is known as “onomatodosia.”

Prior to beginning the electronic visa application form EVAF DS-156, please ensure that you have the following documents and information available:

  1. Instructions for completing an electronic visa application form.
  2. Your passport/s.
  3. National identification number (Arithmo Astynomikis Taftotitas) for Greek citizens.
  4. Name, full address and phone numbers of whom you are visiting. If full address is not available please provide city and state.
  5. In case of previous refusal/s, please provide refusal date/s.
  6. Please make sure that you have completed all questions. Blanks and dashes will not be accepted. If a question does not apply to you, please write "NO" or "NOT APPLICABLE".
  7. Please make sure that by the end of the process you will have three (3) pages printed with a Bar Code number shown on the first and last page.  Click here to see a sample of the third page of the form that must accompany your application.

You must apply for a visa at the American consular office or diplomatic mission nearest to your place of permanent residence. Following is a list of required documents for each visa type.

Tourist Visas (B1/B2)

  1. Valid passport that has been signed by the applicant plus previous passport with visa and in case of thef or loss of a previous passport with valid visa please present the report from the police station or consular office or other foreign authorities.
  2. DS-156: Electronic Visa Application Form DS-156 (EVAF). Please Note: After printing your EVAF please sign in the field 41.
  3. DS-157: Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application for male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45.
  4. One recent color, full-face photograph on a white background. Photo requirements are very strict. Please see information of this website regarding photo requirements. A photographer is available at the Embassy at a cost of €10.00 for 4 photographs.
  5. The duplicate receipt of the non-refundable application fee of $131.00, or €91.70 paid at Piraeus Bank.

Information on Medical Related Travel

Applicants traveling for medical-related reasons must present the following documents at the time of their visa appointment:

  1. All documents required for a tourist visa noted above.
  2. A letter from the patient's doctor in Greece explaining the nature of the illness
  3. A letter from the patient's doctor in the U.S. stating:
    • The date and time of the patient's appointment in the U.S.
    • The nature of the treatment to be administered
    • The time required for the patient to remain in the U.S.
    • The maximum cost of the treatment, including any likely complications.
  4. Proof of ability to pay for medical services in the U.S.:
    1. If a Greek organization will pay for the medical service, the applicant must present a letter from that organization stating that it agrees to cover the expenses.
    2. Proof of payment is required if the hospital requires payment of medical expenses in advance.
    3. If the applicant will pay for the treatment, the applicant must present their most recent tax statement and bank account records proving ability to cover all expenses.

Additionally for non-Greek passports holders:

  1. Greek residence permit and work permit.
  2. Supporting documents explaining the applicant's situation in his or her place of residence. These documents must substantiate the purpose of the trip to the United States and the intention to return to the country of permanent residence after a temporary visit.

Student and Exchange Visitors (F1, M1 and J1)

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
  2. Completed application form DS-158 (contact info and work history form)
  3. All completed pages of original form I-20 A-B or Form I-20 M-N or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility
  4. Completed Training/Internship Placement Form DS-7002. This form applies only to applicants who have been accepted for a position as trainees or for internship and they are under J-1 classification.
  5. SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.  Please note that applicants for J visas participating in official Department of State or USAID sponsored educational and cultural exchanges (such as Fulbright students), under a G-1, G-2, and G-3 program number found on form DS-2019 are not required to pay the SEVIS fee or the visa application fee.
  6. Documentary evidence of finances per the following table. Certificates of eligibility for F-1 status for academic and language (A-B) or Vocational (M-N) students.

    If funds are coming from:  You need: 
    Scholarship or loan Item 7 on form I-20 completed by student advisor
    Family in Greece Original letter from your bank stating that your account contains enough funds for the current year of studies as mentioned on form I-20. The letter must be specific regarding the amount of funds available.
    Family in U.S. Affidavit of support, bank statement, and most recent tax return of your American sponsor
    On-campus employment Item 7 on form I-20 completed by student advisor

  7. EducationUSA/Fulbright Foundation - Greece Survey Form. This is optional. Please click here to download the form.

Temporary Workers/Entertainers/Athletes/Inter Company Transferees (H1B, P, O, L)

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
  2. I-797 Notice of Action

Treaty Traders (E1)

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas

Professional Seaman

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
  2. Valid seaman's book ("Fylladio") issued by the Ministry of Merchant Marine (for Greek seamen only)
  3. Proof of prior service as a professional seaman. (In most instances, the service stamps in your seaman's book will be sufficient. In some cases, however, you may be required to submit recent pay slips or other proof of service.)
  4. A letter from the company which has engaged your services stating the name of the vessel you intend to join; precisely what job you will perform on board; the intended date of your arrival in the United States; and the name of your company's agents in the U.S. Included in the letter should be a statement noting that the company would cover your repatriation expenses.

Regardless of your status as a professional or retired seaman, inspector, cadet, or family member, please note that U.S. Embassy personnel will verify the existence of your shipping company, as well as its authority to engage seamen to work on the vessel named in the letter. If requested, you will need to present the following documentation at the embassy:

  • Memorandum of Agreement and Ship's registry
  • Company's certification by the Ministry of Merchant Marine
  • "FEK" (Greek government gazette listing shipping company)
  • Additional documentation for the ship, as requested

Retired Seaman

If you were previously employed as a professional seaman, but have submitted your seaman's book ("Fylladio") to the Ministry of Merchant Marine in order to receive your retirement benefits, you may still be eligible for a C-1/D visa, provided that a shipping company is willing to hire you to work on board a ship using your passport instead of your seaman's book. In such cases, you must present the following documents each time that you apply for a C-1/D visa:

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
  2. Diploma
  3. Proof of prior service as a seaman
  4. Pensioner's ID
  5. A letter from the company which has engaged your services stating the name of the vessel you intend to join; precisely what job you will perform on board; the intended date of your arrival in the United States; and the name of your company's agents in the U.S. Included in the letter should be a statement noting that the company would cover your repatriation expenses.

Cadet Seaman

If you are currently enrolled in the seaman-training academy of the Ministry of Merchant Marine, and your academic program requires that you serve as an apprentice on board a vessel, which will be making stops in the United States or its territories, you must present the following documents:

  1. All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
  2. A valid seaman's book ("Fylladio") issued by the Ministry of Merchant Marine
  3. A letter from the Ministry of Merchant Marine confirming your enrollment in the seaman-training academy. The letter should include the date of your enrollment and the prospective date of completion of your studies.
  4. A letter from the company which has hired you as an apprentice seaman stating in precisely which section of the ship you will be doing your apprenticeship
  5. A letter from the company which has engaged your services stating the name of the vessel you intend to join; precisely what job you will perform on board; the intended date of your arrival in the United States; and the name of your company's agents in the U.S. Included in the letter should be a statement noting that the company would cover your repatriation expenses.

Representatives of Foreign Media

• All of the application forms and documents required for tourist visas
• Proof of employment:
a. Staff Journalist: A letter from the employer that gives the employee’s name, position held within the company, and purpose and length of stay in the United States.
b. Freelance Journalist under contract to a media organization: A copy of the contract with the organization, which shows the employee’s name, position held within the company, purpose and length of stay in the United States and duration of contract.
c. Media Film Crew: Α letter from the employer which gives the following information: name, position held within company, title and brief description of the program being filmed and period of time required for filming in the United States.
d. Independent Production Company under contract to media organization: Α letter from the organization commissioning the work which gives the following information: name, title and brief description of the program being filmed, period of time required for filming in the United States and duration of contract.
• Press credentials or identification if available.