Applying for a Greece Visa from India: What You Need to Know?

Greece is a land of unmatched beauty. Thus, it offers countless opportunities for learning, earning, exploring, and investing to individuals around the world, including Indians. 

Moreover, Greece is a country with a diverse and developed economy. So, it offers numerous opportunities for employment for foreigners. This is why Greece ranked among the top 10 highly visited countries.

Neighboring Countries of Greece

So, Greece shares its border with the following countries.

1. Albania to the northwest
2. North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north
3. Turkey to the east

Therefore, the purpose of this blog is to provide you with comprehensive details about Greece visas for Indians, including types of visas, eligibility criteria, & how Indians can apply for visas (application process).

What is a Greece Visa? Is Greece a Part of the Schengen Area?

A visa is a travel permit given by the Greek authorities that allows Indians to legally enter and stay in the country for a specific period. 

Greece is a member of the Schengen Area, so the visa to Greece is known as a “Schengen Visa” or “Schengen Greece Visa”.

Validity of the Greek Schengen Visa

The Schengen visa is also known as a short-term stay visa. So, it is granted for different purposes and for a specific duration. Generally, a Schengen visa is valid for 90 days within 180 days. 

So, in this duration, you can enter or exit the country either one time on a single-entry visa or multiple times on a multiple-entry visa. 

Types of Greece Schengen Visas

Depending on the purpose of the short-term visit, there are the following visa types for Greece.

GREECE VISA TYPES
Visa Category	Purpose	Validity
Tourist Visa	For tourism, leisure, or vacations	90 days within 180 days
Business Visa	For attending business meetings & conferences.	90 days within 180 days
Work Visa	For legal employment in Greece	Depending on the duration of the employment contract. Moreover, it is extendable.
Study Visa	For students enrolling in the educational program in Greece.	Depending on the duration of the course program.
Family Reunification Visa/Visit Visa	For visiting family/ friends living in Greece temporarily, or having a permanent residence permit.	For 90 days within a total of 180 days.
Transit Visa	To transit through en route to Greece and move toward the next destination.	For 5-10 days. Yet, it is unextendable.

Does Greece Provide a Visa On Arrival (VOA) to Indians?

No, Indians are not eligible for an on-arrival visa to Greece. Yet, there are specific nations to which Greece grants VOA. Thus, Indians planning to visit Greece must apply for a visa before their scheduled dates of visit. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Indians Applying for a Greece visa?

The Indians intending to visit Greece must ensure their eligibility for a visa. So, to fall under the eligibility criteria, they must,

1. Have a clean criminal record in India. So, for this purpose, they must provide a PCC (Police Clearance Certificate).
2. Indians must have good physical & mental health (provide a medical certificate).
3. Have a permanent Indian residency (provide residency registration, utility bills, etc).
4.  Moreover, they do not fall under the visa refusal of any other country (requires copies of old visas).
5. They do not have any visa violations or overstaying history in any other country.
6. Besides, they must be COVID-19 vaccinated.
7. An NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the employer or the educational institute.

What are the Greece Visa Requirements for Indians?

The Indians, while applying for a Greece visa, must provide some legal requirements that are mandatory for a visa, such as,

 A Valid Passport

They must have a valid Indian passport under the following conditions.

• It must have a minimum validity of six months beyond your intended stay in Greece.
• Moreover, the passport must have two blank pages for stamping the visa.
• It is not older than the last ten years.
• There should be no damage or wear/tear to the passport.

A Visa Application Form (for a Greece Visa)

You must fill out the visa application form as a mandatory requirement for a visa application. Besides, make sure the application form is accurately completed and signed. 

Moreover, you can download the application form from the Greek visa official website.

Passport-Size Photograph

You must have attached two pictures according to Schengen guidelines for your identification purposes with your visa application form. Moreover, make sure it possesses the following standards set by the Greek Schengen authorities. 

• The pictures must be clear and have a white background. 
• So, the dimensions of a photograph must be 35mm by 45mm.
• The picture must not be older than the last three months.
• Your face must be visible in the picture.
• Avoid wearing any accessories and maintain a neutral expression.

A Round-trip Flight Itinerary

It is important to get flight reservation for visa that is required to support your visa application. So, its purpose is to report your travel plans to the Greek authorities, and that you have reserved a flight seat for your visa application. For this purpose, you can get assistance from any trusted travel agency, such as SFRV Travels.

Thus, when the visa is approved, you will travel to Greece by booking a confirmed flight ticket for a visa.

Generally, a dummy flight ticket looks like an actual flight ticket, and the details included in the flight reservation are,

• Passenger name (mentioned on passport)
• Flight name & number
• Airport IATA codes
• Connecting flight details
• Arrival and departure details and time
• 6-digit PNR

Proof of Accommodation 

It is a proof that ensures your lodging details in Greece. Since the embassies ask for this proof to confirm that you have planned to travel to Greece and have made arrangements for your whole stay in Greece.

Yet, a hotel booking for Schengen visa​ is similar to an actual hotel booking, so you can attach this dummy proof with your visa application to support it. 

Generally, it contains information such as,

• Name and location of hotel
• Reservation code/ rental agreement
• Entry and exit dates
• Contact information for the hotel

Evidence of Enough Funds

This is the proof related to your financial stability or means. So, for your Greece visa, Indians must ensure that they are financially stable to cover their expenses during their stay in Greece. 

Moreover, they will never become a burden on the authorities. However, to ensure your financial stability to the authorities, you need to provide,

• • Bank statement for the last six months
  • Credit card details
  • Investment details
  • Paid tax slips
  • Property registration certificates
  • Sponsorship letter
  • Other documents proving your financial stability

Travel Medical Insurance

The insurance policy is mandatory while you are applying for a Schengen visa. The purpose of a travel insurance visa application is to shield the unforeseen expenses during their stay in Greece. The fields that are covered by health insurance policies are,

• Emergency illness and hospitalization
• Repatriation
• 24/7 emergency support
• Flight cancellation
• Repatriation

A Cover letter

A cover letter is necessary to support your Greece visa application. So, its purpose is to provide the details about your trip to Greece. Typically, a well-crafted cover letter must be, 

• Well-written 
• Do not consist of more than 2 pages
• Must be written in English or the Greek language
• Clearly explain your travel details

Documents Required For A Greek Student Visa

So, if your purpose for visiting Greece is to study, then you need to apply for a student visa. Moreover, you are required to provide these documents with the above-mentioned documents, such as,

• Letter of invitation from a Greek educational institute
• Permission letter from the present institute
• Your academic transcripts

Documents Required For A Greek Work & Business Visa

So, if you intend to visit this Schengen country on a work visa, then you need to provide some other documents, including,

For a Greece Work Visa

• Proof of employment (employment contract signed by a company in Greece)
• Proof of academic transcripts (university degree)
• A proper reason to visit Greece

For Greece Business Visa

• Bank statements of the business
• A written letter about the purpose of your trip 
• Invitation from a Greece company you do business with
• Liability insurance issued by a Greek company
• Dates of entry and exit

Supplementary Documents Required For A Greece Visa

Besides the above documents, there are some other documents you need to submit, depending on your category, such as,

For non-Indian citizens living in India

• Proof of Indian residence 
• PAN card (Aadhaar Card)

For Minor 

• Birth certificate (if the applicant is under 18 years)
• A permission letter signed by parents/legal guardian
• Copies of passports of parents/legal guardians

What is the Visa Processing Time & Greece Visa Fee for Indians?

The Greece visa fees and the processing time are generally listed below

GREECE VISA FEE & PROCESSING TIME
Visa Type	Processing Time	Visa Fees (INR)
Greece tourist visa fees	15-30 Days	₹ 9,251
Business Visa	15-30 Days	₹ 9,251
Transit Visa	15-30 Days	₹ 9,251
Student Visa	15-45 Days	₹ 9,251
Work Visa	30-60 Days	Varies by case
Family Reunion Visa	60-120 Days	Varies by case

Please note that the equivalent amount in Indian currency is subject to change due to the current exchange rate. Therefore, ensure that you check the latest fee structure before applying for a visa.

Additional Costs

1. Visa Application Center Fee: ₹1,500 (approximately).
2. Courier/Passport Delivery Fee: Additional ₹500 (optional)

Remember That

• Processing times are subject to change based on the volume of applications and individual cases.
• Fees can vary due to exchange rate fluctuations.
• For long-term visas, such as family reunions or work visas, the fees and processing times may differ, depending on the case and documentation.

Does Greece have an eVisa Facility for Indians?

Yes, Indians who are planning to visit Greece can apply for their visa online, via the Greece eVisa portal. So, they can apply for a visa in a few steps, and the eVisa process is easier than the traditional way of visa processing.

Steps to Apply Through eVisa (Electronic Visa)

The following steps should be followed while applying for an eVisa.

• Firstly, visit the eVisa portal.
• Then, read the instructions carefully.
• After that, fill out the application form online by providing accurate details.
• Pay the Greece visa fee through the method mentioned by the authorities. 
• Submit the form and ensure fees have been paid.
• Obtain your eVisa stamped online on your passport. 

Where is the Embassy of Greece Located in India?

Here are the details about Greece’s Embassy located in India. So, if you are applying in person at the embassy, then you can visit the following address.

Address	EP-32, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India
Email Address	gremb.del@mfa.gr
Tel No	+9111 26880700-4
Fax No	+9111 26888010, 24675231
Emergency Tel	(0091) 9654616196 – For consular and visa issues, please address your email exclusively to grcon.del@mfa.gr

Does VFS Global Support Greece Visa for Indians?

Yes, VFS Global is also supporting the Greek visa for Indians. So, if you want to apply via them, you can visit their official website. However, they are visa processing agents that apply for a Greek visa at Greek authorities on your behalf. 

For a step-by-step process, while applying through VFS Global, you can read our blog on the Italy Visit Visa from Bangladesh. In this blog, we explained comprehensive steps for first-time visa applicants.

What are the Steps to Apply for a Greece Visa in person at the Embassy?

If you want to apply in person at the embassy, then you can follow these steps.

1. Firstly, assemble the required visa documents.
2. Then, determine the type of visa you need to apply.
3. After that, download the Greece visa application form, print it, and fill it out.
4. Attach the required visa documents with the application form.
5. Book a Greece visa appointment for the submission of the application form.
6. Visit the visa center, submit an application, provide biometric data, attend an interview, and pay the visa fee.
7. Then return home and wait for the processing of the visa.
8. Track your visa application through the tracker number sent by the Greek authorities to your email.
9. Once approved, you can collect your passport in person or get it delivered to your door through a courier service. Additional charges may apply.

FAQs- Greece Visa for Indians

There are some frequently asked questions by Indian applicants while applying for a Greece visa. So, here, we try to answer these questions properly.

Q1: Can I extend my Greece visa if I want to stay longer than initially planned?

Answer: Yes, Indian citizens can apply for an extension of their Greek visa, but they must do so before the initial visa expires.

Q2: Can I work remotely in Greece on a tourist visa, or do I need a special work permit?

Answer: No, Indian citizens cannot work remotely in Greece on a tourist visa. So, they need to apply for a work permit and a long-term National D Visa to work in Greece.

Q3: Can I visit other European countries on a Greek visa, or do I need a separate visa for each country?

Answer: Indian citizens can visit other Schengen countries on a Greece visa, but need to ensure that Greece is their main destination and they do not exceed the 90-day limit.

Conclusion

Clearly understanding the process and preparing the accurate documents will make the application for a Greece visa from India easier for you. Getting a visa can give you the liberty to explore the ancient ruins, pursue academic excellence, attend a business meeting, etc. Therefore, you need to ensure that your visa essentials, application form, and travel documents are aligned and match the purpose of your trip to Greece.

Lastly, SFRV Travels can assist you in meeting the Schengen visa protocols, such as having a flight ticket, hotel booking, or travel insurance.

Have a memorable trip to this Schengen beauty!

Don’t Miss These Guides:

Iceland visa for Indians → Get a detailed guide on how Indians can apply for an Iceland Schengen visa, including required documents, fees, and processing time.

German visa for Indians → Learn the complete process for Indian citizens to apply for a German visa, covering eligibility, documentation, and embassy procedures.

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