Greece Dependent Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

Known officially as a Greece family reunification visa, the permit allows people to enter the country as a family member of a resident in Greece, and stay with them for long durations. Based on the relationship, the reunion or dependent visa can be issued for the following cases - 

• Reunion with a spouse in Greece.
• Reunion of children with their parent(s) in Greece

In order to be able to apply for the dependent category, you will have to meet certain eligibility criteria as required by the Greek embassy. These can be stated as follows - 

General

• You must hold a passport valid for at least 1 year and 6 months from the date of application. 
• Your passport must contain at least 2 blank pages, and it must not be older than 10 years. 
• The applicant will have to get the family relationship verified by the authorities before making the application.

Spouse

• Both the spouses must be of a minimum age of 18.
• The spouse being joined in Greece must be financially stable to support the joining member. 
• The visa applicant must prove that they are free of any diseases that could endanger the public in Greece, and must not have any criminal convictions.

Children 

• The parent inviting must be financially stable to support the joining children.
• The children must be below 18 years of age.
• The joining children must be free of any diseases that could endanger the public in the country and must not have any criminal convictions (not applicable for minors below 12).

These were only the basic requirements. Based on their individual case, there may be additional requirements to be met. Ensure that you check this with a reputed travel agency.

The application for the dependent visa for Greece from India is quite complicated. In fact, it is done in 2 different parts. The first part involves the authorities verifying your relationship with the resident in Greece. After this, the second part involves the actual visa application.

As a result, it is highly recommended to use the services of a visa agency to apply. Let’s take a look at how you can apply for the permit - 

1. Visit the website of the Greek Visa Application Center (VAC) and download the application form for the verification of relationship.
2. Fill in the form and submit it at the VAC along with the required documents.
3. This application will then be reviewed by the respective Prefecture in Greece who will issue a document of approval, and ask the embassy to verify the relationship.
4. The embassy will call the applicant for an interview, and then this is communicated with the Prefecture.
5. Following this, the embassy will ask you to make the visa application.
6. Fill in the visa application form, and submit it at the VAC along with the respective documents and the visa fee.
7. The embassy will review your application and issue you with a long stay D type permit.

As per the requirements, the following are the list of general Greece dependent visa documents you will require to get a reunion visa. Based on the individual case of the applicant, there may be additional documents necessary.

Verification of relationship - 

• A valid passport.
• 1 photo as per the specifications.
• Completed application form for verification of family relationship. 
• Marriage certificate (Greece dependent visa for spouse).
• Proof of marriage (spouse).
• Birth certificate (for children).
• Passport & residence permit/visa copy of the resident in Greece.
• Proof of ownership of a house/apartment or a copy of the rent contract.
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence of the resident in Greece.

Visa application - 

• A valid passport.
• 1 photo as per the specifications.
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC ) (not required for minors below 12).
• Medical fitness certificate (If asked).
• Travel insurance 
• If the applicant hasn’t been interviewed during the first stage, you will have to submit all the documents in the ‘verification of relationship’ section as well. 

Note: Indian nationals will have to get the required documents apostilled by the MEA.

The photos to be submitted for the application must meet the following specifications.

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• Must have 80% face coverage
• The facial expression must be neutral
• Eyes must be directed towards the camera and wide open. 
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

Being a type of the long term Schengen D category, the dependent or reunion permits are granted for stay duration longer than 90 days. The exact validity and duration will depend on the decision of the consular officer processing your application. They will take into account key points from your application while doing so. These can be your expected travel dates, your previous travel history, the means of subsistence, and so on.

The processing time required for the reunion category is quite high. This is due to the fact that it takes at least 1 month for the Prefecture to issue the document which will verify the relationship. The overall process can take almost 3 months. This again depends on a number of factors. As a result, it is highly recommended that you start the entire process more than 3 months before your travel date.

The total cost of the visa includes administrative/processing charges, charges for getting the verification document from the Prefecture, and other service fees levied by the VAC. As a result, ensure that you check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted your application, your application will begin processing. Your application is first sent to the embassy for processing, as per the jurisdiction. The VAC has no authority over the decision-making aspect of the application. Upon approval, you can collect the passport from the VAC or have them deliver it to you for an additional charge.

You can check the status of your application by using the online tracking services provided by the VAC. Visit the portal, and enter your date of birth and the application number to know the status.

Upon receiving your dependent permit, there are a few things you must keep in mind to ensure that you do not face any difficulties with the trip.

• Before you travel
  1. Note the validity and stay duration mentioned on your visa. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
  2. Carry all your travel documents before you travel to the country.
• At the border
  1. You must show your passport with the visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry. Your entry stamp will be placed on the passport.
  2. You may be asked to show the copy of the other documents submitted as part of your application. 
  3. You may be asked about the basic details of your visit. Ensure that you answer honestly and without hesitance.
  4. The visa alone does not guarantee you entry into the country. You could still be refused entry if you do not meet the requirements.
• When you enter Greece

1. 1. You can take part in tourism, short term courses, volunteer work,etc.
   2. If you want to work, you will have to obtain a work permit after arrival.
   3. You can travel to other Schengen nations for a stay duration of not more than 90 days in a period of 180 days in them. 
   4. You may be able to extend the visa under certain conditions.
   5. You must respect the culture and customs of the country, as well as abide by the immigration laws during your stay.