Greece has resumed issuing visas on arrival; however, this type of visa cannot be obtained instantly upon entry into Greece.
This visa should be considered a faster alternative to the traditional Schengen visa (of which Greece is a member) and is valid for a maximum of 7 days only for the specific island to be visited.
A burgundy passport valid for at least 6 months, round-trip ferry tickets, hotel reservation (along with a 3- month bank account statement), travel health insurance, and a completed visa application form are required. In 2025, the visa-on-arrival fee for Meis Island will be €90, and there must be no entry stamp from the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) in the passport.
What Are the Requirements and Program Details for the Visa on Arrival?
The visa-on-arrival program is an application that accelerates the Greek visa procedures required for Turkish citizens visiting the Greek Islands included in this program. Turkish citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel and at least two blank pages in their passport.
Under the visa-on-arrival scheme, you must exit from the same island you entered; island-to-island travel is not permitted.
What Is the Scope of the Visa-on-Arrival Program?
The visa issued by the Greek authorities under this program is not a Schengen visa. It is a single-entry visa valid for a maximum of 7 days and only for the specific Greek island to be visited.
How Long Does the Visa-on-Arrival Process Take?
A minimum of 5 days () is required to obtain a visa on arrival. The documents listed below must be delivered by hand/courier/mail to the travel company at least 5 days () before your travel date.
When Did the Visa-on-Arrival Program Start?
The visa-on-arrival application for Meis Island began on May 20, 2024. Updated information regarding the end date of the program will be announced.
Required Documents for the Visa on Arrival
Turkish citizens applying under the visa-on-arrival program must submit the following documents:
- Photocopy of the passport photo page (passport valid for at least 6 months)
- No TRNC entry stamp in the passport
- 2 recently taken biometric photos (4×6 cm, white background; photos must not be stapled or glued)
- Application form completed electronically, printed, and signed
- Separate application forms must be completed for children and infants
- Hotel reservation confirmation (for 1 or 2 nights). Hotel reservation is not required for same-day return trips. The confirmed hotel voucher must clearly show the names of all applicants.
- If sponsored, a wet-signed sponsorship letter covering expenses
- Round-trip ferry ticket
- Travel insurance covering the holiday period (in English)
- For same-day return trips: bank statement showing a minimum balance of €350
- For overnight stays: bank statement showing a minimum of €500 per day
Visa Fee Important Notes:
Hotel reservations are not required for same-day visits.
There is a daily limit of 6 applicants under the visa-on-arrival program. A round-trip ferry ticket must be purchased.
The visa-on-arrival fee is €95 per person (aged 12 and above) and €30 for children aged 0–11.99.
Important Notes When Completing the Application Form
The form must be completed on a computer and in capital letters. A handwritten signature is mandatory.
Turkish characters (ç, ğ, ı, ö, ş, ü, etc.) must not be used. Write TURKEY instead of Türkiye.
Write GREECE instead of Yunanistan. Nationality must be written as TURKISH.
Occupation must be written in English. Housewives should write “house wife.” The right-hand section on pages 1 and 2 must not be filled in.
Article 21: Travel purpose must be marked as TOURISTIC.
Article 24: Requested number of entries must be marked as SINGLE ENTRY.
Article 25: Duration of stay must include entry and exit dates (e.g., 01 June–05 June = “5”; for same-day return, write “1” or “Same Day Return”).
Article 26: Schengen visas obtained within the last 3 years must be listed, and copies attached. Article 28: Leave blank.
Article 31: Write the hotel name; the hotel address and phone number must be written on the following page. The hotel voucher must show the country as GREECE (not YUNANISTAN).
Article 32: Only for invited applicants; if Article 31 is completed, leave Article 32 blank. If boxes cannot be marked electronically, tick them in black ink after printing.
Article 37: For minors, signed only by parents. Adults sign the last page of the form.
Additional Important Information
- Turkish citizens whose passports contain entry/exit stamps from the TRNC (Northern Cyprus) are not permitted entry into Greece by Greek authorities.
- Under the visa-on-arrival program, Greek passport police will take fingerprints from each traveler. After fingerprinting, a waiting period of at least 30 minutes per person may apply, which can extend to 1–2 hours depending on passenger density.
- If you have previously received a Schengen visa refusal, your visa-on-arrival application for the Greek Islands will not be accepted.
