Πρόγραμμα για τουριστικές επισκέψεις βραχείας διάρκειας με απλουστευμένες διαδικασίες εισόδου, για πολίτες τρίτων χωρών που ταξιδεύουν από την Τουρκία σε ορισμένα ελληνικά νησιά

PROJECT FOR SHORT STAY TOURIST VISITS
WITH SIMPLIFIED ENTRY PROCEDURES
FOR THIRD COUNTRY - NATIONALS
TRAVELLING FROM TURKEY TO CERTAIN HELLENIC ISLANDS

Greece, after the successful implementation of the ad hoc project in 2012, for short stay tourist visits from certain Turkish Aegean coast areas, with simplified entry procedures, to selected Greek islands in the eastern Aegean, is repeating the same project, with the consent of the European Commission and in close cooperation with Turkey.

The basic scope and objective of the project is to enable third-country nationals to visit Greece through a swift, quick, transparent and easy procedure.

The project is implemented for the period between end of April and end of October, 2013 and foresees that visas are issued upon arrival. The visa fee amounts to 35 Euros (it may be waived for specific categories based on the provisions of article 16 of the Visa Code or Visa Facilitation Agreements between EU and certain third countries).

The project applies:

• to holders of Turkish ordinary travel documents  and to any other third county nationals who are subject to the visa obligation, provided that the following proof is provided:

- they had not been in a position to apply for a visa in advance;
- they submit supporting documents substantiating unforeseeable reasons for entry;
- they are legally present in Turkey and their return is assessed as certain.

• for visits operated by daily and/or ferry boats starting from Turkish ports.

• for visits to the Greek islands of Kastellorizo, Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes, Samos where there is appropriate infrastructure and pertinent numbers of staff and resources are deployed;

• for visits of a predetermined and limited duration of time, of 15 days maximum, and for the purpose of tourism.

• All persons, making use of the scheme, undergo a thorough check on entry in order to establish their identities on the basis of the production or presentation of their travel documents.

• Entry checks cover the following aspects:

- Verification of possession of valid and not expired passport;
- Examination of the entry and exit stamps on the travel document, in order to verify, whether the maximum duration of authorized stay in the Schengen area has not already been exceeded;
- Verification regarding the purpose of the intended stay;
- Confirmation of possession of sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the intended stay and for the return;
- Verification regarding of the fulfilment of the conditions regarding  public policy, internal security, public health or international relations of any of the Member States.

• The travel documents shall be systematically stamped on entry and exit.

• Travel Agents in Turkey wishing to benefit from the scheme, request travellers, upon purchase of their tickets, to submit a copy of the bio-page of their passport and a filled in and signed copy of the Schengen Visa application form with a recent photo attached.

• The Travel Agents forward the documents, submitted together with the purchase of the boat tickets, to the designated Greek Authorities, electronically, at least 24 hours before the arrival of the passenger concerned.

• Travellers who have submitted their documentation through Travel Agents, at least 24 hours before their arrival, are requested upon disembarkation to the Greek islands of Kastellorizo, Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes or Samos to follow the priority lane and present to the border guard authorities their passport and the original filled in and signed Schengen Visa application form with an attached recent colour photo, produce documentation proving the purpose of their visit and its duration, explain the reasons that they had not been in a position to apply for a visa in advance and pay the visa fee, if applicable.

• Travellers that have NOT submitted their documentation through Travel Agents, or have NOT submitted their documentation at least 24 hours before arrival, are requested, upon disembarkation to the Greek islands of Kastellorizo, Chios, Kos, Lesvos, Rhodes or Samos, to follow the normal lane and present to the border guard authorities their passport and a filled in and signed Schengen Visa application form with an attached recent colour photo, produce documentation proving the purpose of their visit and its duration, explain the reasons that they had not been in a position to apply for a visa in advance and pay the visa fee, if applicable.

• Upon verification that the entry conditions are fully met, a uniform visa , allowing stay of maximum 15 days, will be issued and an entry stamp will be affixed to the travel document.

• In case the entry conditions are not fulfilled the entry will be refused and a completed standard form for refusing entry stating the reason(s) for refusal shall be given to the person concerned, who shall acknowledge receipt of the decision to refuse entry by means of that form.

This pilot project is implemented during the current tourist season and, upon completion, it will be evaluated for its overall impact on the EU-Turkish relations especially on the mobility and illegal migration dimensions.

Greece will then draw up a detailed report covering all dimensions of the scheme and will submit it for consideration to the European Commission and the Member States.