Press Releases 2009
New, Mandatory Delivery Service for Passports with U.S. Visas
Athens (March 23, 2009) -- To improve customer service by eliminating the need for successful applicants to return to the U.S. Embassy in Athens after their visa interview, effective April 1, passports with visas issued by the embassy will be returned to travelers via a fee-for-service courier. Travelers will make their own delivery arrangements with Courier Center, the contracted company, at the embassy after applying for their visas.
For a fee of Euro 4.20 in the Attiki region, Courier Center will deliver the passports within 24 hours after the embassy completes the processing of the visa. For a fee of Euro 7.00, Courier Center will deliver the passport within 48 hours to any other address in mainland Greece or the islands. Courier Center provides on-line tracking of deliveries and 24-hour customer service by telephone. Visit www.courier.gr.
This practice has been used successfully at over 100 American embassies, and the delivery service to be provided in Greece will be among the most rapid and cost-effective in Europe. Use of this new delivery service will be mandatory. Passports will no longer be available for pick-up at the embassy.
For more specific information on this process or to make an appointment for an interview, please visit the U.S. Embassy website at http://athens.usembassy.gov/how_to_apply.html. With the traditionally busy summer travel season fast approaching, prospective travelers to the United States are strongly encouraged to apply for a visa well in advance of their planned travel to allow sufficient time for processing and courier delivery. The embassy recommends that applicants not make final travel plans until their visa has been issued and their passports delivered.