Visa on arrival application for the Greek Islands was put into effect at different times with different contents. The practice, which continued between 2012 and 2017, was stopped in 2017 and restarted in 2018 with requests from both sides, but unfortunately it was stopped again in 2020 and was not reactivated for a long time. It has started to be talked about that door visa application will start for certain Greek Islands as of the end of 2023, first 5 islands and then 5 more islands will be added, making it valid for a total of 10 islands. Door visa for Greek Islands The application has started again. Door visa or visa on arrival for Greek Islands You will find the current details of the application mentioned in this article.
What is Visa on Delivery?
“What is the visa on arrival or visa application for the Greek Islands?” To answer the question in the simplest way; For Turkish Citizens, if they do not have a green passport or a Schengen visa but want to travel to the Greek Islands close to Turkey, it is valid for 7 days (6 nights and 7 days) and only on a single island (other than the one entered). It is a type of visa that is given for a limited period of time (unable to move to another island). Visa on arrival is only valid for transportation by sea. If you want to go to the islands by air, you still need to obtain a Schengen visa. Below you can see the islands where door visa application is valid for the Greek Islands.
Greek Islands Where Visa on Delivery is Valid
Visa application at the door from Turkey to 1 Greek Islands, valid between 31 April - 2024 December 10, has started in full force!
Below you can see the list of Greek Islands where visa on arrival is valid;
- Chios Island: You can cross from Çeşme by ferry.
- Mytilene: You can cross from Ayvalık by ferry.
- Rhodes Island: You can cross from Marmaris and Fethiye by ferry.
- Samos Island: You can cross by ferry from Kuşadası and Seferihisar.
- Kos island: You can cross from Bodrum by ferry.
- Meis (Castellorizo) Island: You can cross from Kaş by ferry.
- Patmos Island: You can cross from Bodrum by ferry.
- Leros Island: You can cross from Bodrum by ferry.
- Kalymnos Island: You can cross from Bodrum by ferry.
- Symi (Sömbeki) Island: You can cross from Datça by ferry.
It is said that ferry services will start from Didim to Kos and Leros as of June 14, 2024, it may be good to follow.
Turkish Citizens who want to go to the Greek Islands or the mainland of Greece outside the above list Schengen visa application he has to do.
Who Can Benefit from the Door Visa Application for the Greek Islands?
If you have a burgundy passport valid for 6 months, do not have a TRNC stamp on your passport and do not have a valid Schengen visa, you can benefit from the visa application at the door.
If you have a green passport and/or a valid Schengen visa, you can visit the above islands without needing to get a gate visa.
How to Apply for a Visa on Delivery for the Greek Islands? What are the Required Documents?
Ordinary Passport holders who want to travel to the Greek islands; Applications must be made to the companies that organize flights to the islands at least 7 days before the travel date.
- Maroon passport valid for at least 6 months (to keep ready during the trip)
- 2 recent biometric photographs
- Identity card and its photocopy
- 3 months bank statement
- Round-trip ferry ticket
- Hotel reservation (for those who want to stay)
- Travel insurance
- 60€ visa fee + 20€ brokerage fee
- Visa application form
❗️The gate visa is valid for 7 days for a single island, there is no possibility of crossing to other islands.
❗️There should not be a TRNC stamp in your passport.
❗️If you have been rejected for a Schengen visa before, you risk being rejected for a door visa.
❗️The application is valid for now between 1 April and 31 December 2024.
After purchasing the ferry tickets, travel agencies receive approval by sending the relevant documents and other documents submitted by the passenger to the competent Greek authorities electronically before the passenger's arrival date. Travel agencies ask passengers who submit their documents to check whether approval has been given for their travels before traveling to the Greek Islands.
Since visa fees, documents and applications may change, it would be a good idea to get up-to-date information from the ferry companies.