Greece Transit Visa – Application and Documentation
Traveling to Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia, you must pass through Greece. Therefore, you must need a Greece Transit Visa. The question is, what should you do to have this visa?
Of course, most countries today demand that international travelers must obtain a visa to pass through their airport. So, you have to look for the easiest way to get the visas, and Greece is the best avenue to get to these other countries.
However, only citizens of certain third-world countries need a visa to transit through Greece. Therefore, if you are a citizen of a third-world country, you need to pay closer attention to this.
We will examine the eligibility criteria, validity period, requirements, and processing time to obtain a Greece Transit Visa. So, hop in as we go!
Greece Transit Visa
Greece Transit Visa allows holders to pass through Greece before reaching their final destination. However, this does not apply to all countries.Â
So, who needs a Greece Transit Visa?
Officially, citizens of Schengen countries do not need a visa to enter Greece. Therefore, they don’t need a transit visa. On the contrary, nationals of a select 25 countries must use a visa to pass through Greece, especially to a non-Schengen nation. They include:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
However, you can apply for a Schengen Transit Visa if you plan to pass through two Schengen countries. This will also exempt you from having Greece Transit Visa also.
Requirements for Greece Transit Visa
You meet specific requirements if you need a visa to transit from Greece to another country. These requirements come in the form of documents. So, you must ensure you have all the documents you need. If not, you cannot acquire your Greece Transit Visa.
These requirements can be grouped into two. They include general and specific requirements. Here they are:
General requirements for all types of Greece Visas
You will need the following documents for any Greece visa. This also includes a transit visa to Greece. They include:
#1. Passport
You must have a valid passport. This passport must be valid at least three months after your travel. In addition, it must have been issued in the last ten years. Plus, it will have two blank spaces for your visa stamp.
#2. Copies of previous visas
You can provide them if you already have a visa to other countries. This includes Schengen, the USA., the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and New Zealand.
#3. Greece Transit Visa application form
Of course, you need an application form. This is where you will provide your details, nationality, the purpose of travel, and the duration of your trip.
#4. Bank statement
Technically, you must provide a personal bank statement from the last three months. This will have a minimum amount of 5,000TL. To confirm reliability, your bank statement must have your bank’s stamp and a wet signature.
#5. Photos
You will have to provide photos of six months. These photos must be the same in size and color. Besides, it must meet the Schengen Visa Photo Specifications.
#6. Letter from your employer
You will also need a letter from your employer. The letter must be addressed to the consulate using your employer’s letterhead. It will also explain your travel purpose, dates, and readiness to leave once your visa expires.
#7. Travel health insurance
You will need about 300 euros as your travel insurance. This will be able to cover your insurance in all Schengen countries.
#8. Photocopy of your identity card
You should provide a photocopy of your ID card. This includes both the front and back of the identity card.
#9. Flight itinerary
You will provide your travel plans. This can be an actual flight ticket or flight reservation. In addition, it must contain your travel and return dates.
#10. Proof of accommodation
Your proof of residence can be a hotel reservation. It can as well be an invitation from a friend or relative. Each of them is enough.
Specific documents for Greece Transit Visa
In addition to the documents above, you will also need the following documents:
Copy of your visa for the final destination
Undoubtedly, you will need a visa to your final destination. So, to obtain a Greece Transit Visa, you must show your valid visa to the embassy. This is very important because you cannot get a transit visa without it.
Entry permit in the transit country
You have to obtain an entry permit into Greece. Besides, before you can get a Greece Transit Visa, you must present your entry permit to the embassy. This can be a visa or another type of entry permit.
Steps to apply for Greece Transit Visa
Applying for Greece Transit Visa is an easy step. It usually takes about 5 to 7 days to process. However, you must follow some expert guidance to avoid unnecessary delays. Therefore, we have come up with the most straightforward steps to follow for a visa to pass through Greece.
Step 1. Check if you are eligible for Greece Transit Visa
Not all travelers need a visa to pass through Greece. For example, citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need this. Furthermore, besides EU countries, many countries don’t need to bother about a Transit Visa in Greece. It is because Greece is among the Schengen visa-free countries. Therefore, you must find out if you need this visa in Greece.
Step 2. Fill out an application form for a Greece transit Visa
Once you have found out your eligibility status, then, you have to download an application form. Fill in the correct details in the form. You must provide the following information. They include:
- Your name
- Your nationality
- Duration of stay
- Purpose of travel
Step 3. Gather your documents
You can now gather all the documents you need for a Greece visa. Make sure that you gather the general and the specific documents. You may not get your request if you miss any of these documents. Therefore, you can go through the list often to ensure they are complete.
Step 4. Submit your application and documents
This time, you have to submit your application form and other documents. Make sure that you book an appointment before going to the embassy. If not, the officials may not attend to you. Moreover, you must be at the embassy on time whenever you have a visa appointment.
Step 5. Pay your Greece Transit Visa fee
After submitting your documents, you have to pay your fees. This is very important because the embassy won’t process your visa without it. So, pay the fees as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Step 6. Wait for processing
A Greece transit visa’s processing time is between 5 and 7 days. During this period, you must be ready to send extra information to the Greece embassy in your country. Once your visa is ready, the embassy will contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greece part of the Schengen area countries?
Yes, Greece is part of the Schengen Area countries. Therefore, citizens of other Schengen countries do not need visas for short-term visits. Other members of the Schengen nations include Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Which EU countries are not in Schengen?
The following EU countries are not among the Schengen nations. Therefore, they have different border policies from the Schengen area countries. They include Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia.
How long to apply for Greece Transit Visa?
Generally, it takes 5 to 7 days to process this type of visa. However, it can take a long time if you have any missing documents. The embassy will pause your application process if you have not paid your visa fee. Therefore, certain factors can cause a delay in your visa application processing time.
Where can I apply for a Greece Visa?
You can apply for a Greece Visa online or from the embassy. In addition, you can apply through a third party. So, if you are applying through the embassy, you must visit the embassy to submit your application. If you decide to apply online, you must submit all your documents online in PDF format.
Conclusion
Finally, if you are from one country that needs a Greece transit Visa, the information above is for you. Following the steps we provide will help you to get your visa quickly.
