Greece Visa – Types, Application, Fees, and Requirements

Are you aware that Greece Visa is grouped into different types relating to the purpose of the visit? If not, don’t worry, and relax while I take you through Greece Visa types, applications, and other details. It’s important to know about the different types of visas so that you can minimize cost and time. However, some nations enjoy waivers for some types of Greece visas because of their relationship with Greece.

Curious to know about such countries? Sure, you will find out as you read through this guide. But meanwhile, please get a brief description of Greece at a glance.

About Greece

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe with a long and complex history. Its people are descended from the ancient Greeks, one of the world’s great civilizations. Today, Greece is a prosperous yet still struggling democracy.

Greece is known for its natural wonders, such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis. In addition, the capital of Athens is home to some of the world’s best architecture, including the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Greece also boasts some of the best European beaches and mountains that offer hiking and skiing opportunities.

Sadly, Greece’s unemployment rate is more than 25%, but it’s not the only country with high rates. The global unemployment rate is currently at 7.5%. In Greece, youth unemployment is exceptionally high, with nearly 50% of those between the ages of 15 and 24 unemployed. This has led to many young people leaving the country searching for work. Greece also has a very high poverty rate, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line.

What is Greece Visa?

A Greece visa is a document issued to foreigners who wish to visit Greece for tourism, business, or medical reasons. A valid visa holder can stay in Greece for a maximum of ninety days. Specific requirements must be met to obtain a Greece visa, including a valid passport and plane ticket. Visitors are also required to have sufficient funds to cover their costs while in Greece,

Types of Greece Visa 

Here are the different types of Greece visas you can choose for your visit to the country.

Tourist Visa: You can apply for this visa if you intend to visit Greece for vacations, adventures, and other tourism purposes.

Visitors /family visa: If you have a family member in Greece that you plan to visit, this type of visa best for you.

Business Visa: You will need a Greece business visa if you wish to invest or travel to Greece for business transactions or deals. This type of visa is easier to obtain because Greece needs foreign direct investment to recover fast.

Greece Medical Visa: This visa is issued to Foreigners needing visas to access medical treatment in Greece.

Short-Study Visa: This is best for foreigners who wish to visit Greece for short educational engagements like research seminars, conferences, or short training programs.

Cultural Visa: If you are planning to visit Greece for events like sports fiesta, marriage ceremony another cultural events, you should apply for this visa.

Greece Student visa: The student visa is granted to students that have secured admission to study in Greece academic Institutions. Also, a study permit will be needed, but you can apply as soon as you arrive in Greece.

Greece works visa: This visa type is suitable for foreigners that want to visit Greece to work. It is not easy to get, but if you secure the job first, you will find it easier. Also, your employer needs to apply and get you a work permit before you arrive.

Countries exempted from Greece Visa

Fortunately, some countries can enter and stay in Greece for Ninety days or less without a Greece visa. But citizens from such countries must have a valid passport or National ID card.

Find below the list of such Countries:

• Albania
• Andorra
• Antigua And Barbuda
• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Brunei Darussalam
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• El Salvador
• North Macedonia
• Georgia
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Vatican city
• Honduras
• Israel
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Malaysia
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Palau
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Seychelles
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts And Nevis Lucia
• St Vincent And The Grenadines
• Trinidad And Tobago
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United States Of America
• Uruguay
• Vanuatu
• Venezuela
• United Kingdom

Documents required for Greece visa application

To get your visa considered, you need to have the following documents except for a few that are optional.

Valid traveling passport: This should not be old than ten years. It must contain your signature and have a minimum of two empty pages for official use. It should be valid for at least ninety days after you leave Greece.

Greece Visa application form: You must fill out all relevant sections of the form without errors. The form can be downloaded here.

Greece travel plan: This document should reveal schedules like when you intend to travel, the proposed duration in Greece, and ticket updates.

Evidence of financial capacity: It can be a recent Bank statement of at least three months, a credit card, proof of ownership of asses, etc.

The essence is to show the embassy that you will survive the financial obligations when you arrive in Greece.

Declaration of Accommodation facility: This can be a hotel reservation declaration, the address of your family member in Greece, or proof of rent or reservation.

Passport photographs: The standard required is a six-month-old or less photo with plain white background. Also, the dimension should be 3.5 by 4.5mm, bold and sharp.

Medical Insurance Subscription: You need to attach proof that you have a medical Insurance cover or reservation. A minimum of thirty thousand Euros is required in order to get medical insurance, but it can be used in Schengen countries.

Specific documents for the Greece Visa application

These documents are not particularly for every applicant but are based on the type of visa you plan to apply for.

Work permit: This should be attached to your application form if your visit to Greece is to work. But if you have not secured a job before visiting, you don’t need it though it boosts your chances of obtaining a Greece visa.

Consent form: You need this document If you are less than eighteenth years or you intend to travel with one of your parents to Greece.

Study permit: If you’re a student who has secured admission in Greece already, ensure you have your Study permit.

Letter of invitation: This document can be a letter from a family, Tourist Company, business partner, and other organization inviting you to Greece.

Birth certificate: This document must be submitted for applicants below eighteen years or adopted.

Note that all these documents must be translated either into Greece or English language.

Greece visa application steps 

Here are the steps to follow for a successful visa application.

Step one: Check if you need a Greece visa. 

Since you are aware that some countries do not need visas to visit Greece for ninety days or less, you have to check if your country is captured for the visa waiver or not.

Step two: Decide on the type of visa. 

Greece visa is of different types, so you need to choose the best style suitable for your visit to Greece. For example, if you have a business deal to seal in Greece, you need a Greece business visa.

Step three: Scheduled an appointment 

This can be done online, or you visit the Greece or Shenzhen embassy in your country to book an appointment. You will give a date a time to submit all documents.

Step four: Submit all documents and application form 

At this stage, you are expected to have filled out the application form accurately, and all documents are translated accordingly. So you make the visa application fee, attach the receipt and submit everything at once. You may be interviewed immediately or be asked to come on another date. The interview is not hard, but you must be composed and provide genuine reasons why you need a Greece visa. You must submit the application and support documents at least 15 days before the proposed date of departure.

Step five: Biometric 

The embassy or consulate will capture your fingerprint for record purposes. Still, if you have done that in any Schengen embassy in the last fifty-nine months, it won’t be necessary.

Step six: Track your application or wait for updates. 

There are few differences in Greece embassies in different countries, so take note of that. If your entire Greece visa application is online, then you can track your application online. But if it is offline, you need to wait for two weeks to get a response from the embassy or consulate about the status of your application.

Processing time and fees for Greece visa 

Greece Visa can be processed within fifteen days if every requirement is met. But you may wait longer if you have incomplete information or your documents are not verifiable. You need a minimum of eighty Euros to pay for visa application in Greece embassies. In addition, children under the age of six years are exempted from visa fees likewise students.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I submit my Greece visa if the Greece embassy or consulate is not in my country?

It is simple; you should visit any Schengen country embassy in your country to submit and process your application.

What do I do if my visa application is rejected?

The next thing you should do is appeal within three weeks after you receive the notification of visa rejection. You do this by filling out the standard visa appeal form and submit immediately.

Where can I apply for Greece Visa?

You can apply for the visa at the Greece embassy or consular offices in your country. You can also apply online if the option is available in your country. If you don’t have a Greece embassy or consular offices, visit any Schengen embassy in your country to apply.

Conclusion

In summary, if you need a Greece visa of any type, you must apply as early as possible. However, all eligible citizens from all countries can be issued visas if they apply and meet all requirements.