Greece Visit Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

To enter Greece, most people except those from Schengen countries or other visa-exempt nations require a permit. If the purpose of the visit is to meet your friends and family living in the country, you require a specific type of this called the Greece Schengen visit visa. Being under the short term C category of Schengen, these are issued for a duration of 90 days in a 180-day period and can be granted based on the number of entries as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entries. 

Before starting the application process for Greece visit visa from India, you must check if you are eligible to travel to Greece as a visitor. After this, you can proceed to make the application as mentioned below. The application for this permit can be done using an offline or online application form. However, the submission of the documents and other things are done offline at a VAC or Embassy. The Embassy of Greece has urged that everyone follow the online forms as this will make the process easier and faster.

• Obtain all the relevant documents you require for the process.
• If you choose the offline method, download Greece visit visa application form from the website of the embassy, fill it, and then take a print out.
• If you choose to apply online, you must create an account on the application portal of the Visa Application Center for Greece (VAC). You must then log in to your account and fill in the application form. After this, take a print out of the application confirmation you receive via email.
• Proceed to make an appointment at one of the VACs, or at the embassy as per your choice. You can do this by call, email, or using the online portal for the VAC. 
• Along with the completed application form (application confirmation in case of online application), documents, and the fees, attend the appointment at the respective centre.
• You will also have to submit your biometrics here. If required, you may also have a personal interview at the centre. In certain cases, you may be able to do the interview via Skype. 

Please note that if you have submitted your biometrics to the Schengen VIS (Visa Information System) in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again as these are still valid for your current application. As a result, you do not have to attend the appointment in person.

Also, ensure that you submit genuine documents and the correct information. Providing fake documents and wrong information are grounds for automatic visa rejection. These can greatly affect your future travel plans.

To be able to apply for the visitor category Schengen you must meet the following conditions. If you do not, you must choose the visa category that is apt for your visit.

• You must be present in your home country while submitting your application. If you are residing in a residence permit in a foreign nation, you may apply it from the respective country.
• You must possess a valid passport.
• Your main objective of the visit must be to visit your family members or friends living in Greece.
• You must possess sufficient funds to support your stay in the country.
• You must be invited by your relative/friend to visit them.
• You must apply for the permit only if -

• 1. Greece is your only destination, or
  2. Greece is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or,
  3. Greece is your port of entry.

As per the Greece visit visa requirements, the following are the list of documents you must submit for the visitor category. Keep in mind that there may be slight changes depending on your individual eligibility. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must consist of at least 2 blank pages.
  2. Passports older than 10 years are not allowed.
  3. It must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any.

• Print out of the application confirmation/completed application form, and appointment confirmation
• A covering letter 

• 1. This should include the applicant’s basic details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds for the stay.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be addressed to the Embassy of Greece.

• Invitation letter from your family member or friend stating the details of the visit as well as acknowledging that they are responsible for you during the stay
• Copy of passport, resident permit of the invitee
• Travel itinerary/documents - 

• 1. A detailed travel itinerary 
  2. Round trip flight tickets
  3. Proof of accommodation 
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

1. 1. Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc

• Financial documents -

1. 1. Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

Please note that you must carry the original documents to the visa appointment centre as you will have to show these to the officials there. However, you must ensure that you submit only photocopies of the documents (except passport) as you will not receive those back.

The photo specifications of Greece visit visa are as follows -

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured 
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be recently captured - within last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral facial expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed/prescription 
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken to process the Greek visitor permit depends on several factors such as the entry type, volume of applications at the embassy, previous travel history, and other factors as well. In normal conditions, you will receive the visa in about 15 working days. However, this can even go up to 30 days in some cases, and even up to 60 days in certain extreme cases. As a result, you are advised to apply well in advance. You must apply at least 15 days before your date of intended travel but not more than 3 months before it. 

The Greece visit visa fees from India depend on a few parameters such as the number of entries, the biometric charges, as well as any other service charges. It can also vary depending on the foreign exchange rates between the Euro and the Rupee. As a result, you are expected to check the exact charges before starting the application.

After you have submitted the application, and have submitted the biometrics, paid the fees, and attended any required interview, your application will begin processing. If the embassy requires any additional verification, you will be notified. Once approved, you can either pick up the passport with the visa sticker from the VAC or embassy. You can also have the VAC deliver the package to you for a certain fee. You may also authorize a third party to collect it on your behalf provided that they have a letter of authorization signed by you. 

Despite the fact that you have submitted at the VAC, they have no role in the processing. The VAC is in charge of only accepting applications and biometrics. The processing is solely the responsibility of the consular section of the embassy.

While you are waiting for a decision from the embassy, you can track the status of your application. You can do this by entering your application number and name at https://in-gr.gvcworld.eu/visa-status/. Alternately, you may be able to track it by contacting the embassy. However, this is not usually responsive. You can also contact your travel agency, and they will track the application and let you know about the status.

Once you get this permit in hand, you must keep in mind the following points. It is important to do so, to ensure that you have a pleasant travelling experience.

• Note the expiry date, duration of stay, and the number of entries mentioned on the visa sticker. You must strictly abide by these regulations. 
• Ensure that you travel to Greece within 6 months of the date of issue. After this period, your permit will become invalid.
• While you are travelling in Greece, carry a copy of your travel documents with you at all times. Also, ensure that you keep the original documents safe as losing this can cause several problems and difficulties.
• While you are on a visitor permit, you are not allowed to take part in work or employment activities. However, you are permitted to take part in other activities that fall under the Schengen category such as sightseeing, leisure activities, etc.
• You will not be able to extend this visa under normal circumstances.
• Since this is a Schengen type, you are allowed to visit any of the Schengen nations. However, if you are issued with the Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) type, you can only visit the countries that are listed on your sticker.