Greece Visa For Indians: Requirements & Application Guide
Last Updated : 04-Sept-2023
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Greece is a part of the Schengen Area. This means that if you're traveling to Greece, you need a Greece visa for Indians.
In this post, I will mainly discuss the process and requirements for applying for and obtaining single and multiple Greece visa for Indians.
Are the Greece Tourist Visa and Schengen Tourist Visa the same? Yes.When must I apply for my Greece visa for Indians? 15 days before your trip.Greece visa fees: For adults, it's INR 6700. For children 6 - 11 years, INR 3400. For children under 6 years, it's Free.Greece visa for Indians processing time: 15-30 days.Green visa validity: 90 days within every 180-day period
Do Indian Citizens Need A Visa For Greece?
Yes. As a citizen of the Indian sub-continent, Indian nationals are required to obtain a Tourist Visa for Greece (also known a Greece Schengen visa) before entering.
The Greece Schengen Visa, also known as the Tourist Visa, allows you to enter Greece for tourism purposes. Such purposes include vacation, site seeing, leisure, and so on.
Short business trips are also allowed under the Greece Schengen Visa. However, you can't work in the country. Acceptable business purposes include attending meetings, functions, meeting clients, etc.
If your trip to Greece does not include tourism or business, you need to apply for another type of visa.
When Must I Apply For My Greece Schengen Visa?
At the latest, you can start your Greece visa for Indians application 15 days before your planned trip. However, sometimes it can take up to 45 days if it is necessary to make a more detailed exam of the application.
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your trip. I recommend starting your application as soon as you can so you have enough time should something unexpected happen (like a longer Greece visa processing time).
What Are The Required Documents For The Greece Schengen Visa?
One of the first things you would need to do before you begin the application process is to ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready to be presented at the visa center.
Here are the documents you'll need to submit to the Embassy:
A duly completed Greece Visa For Indians Application form to be filled online, downloaded, printed and signed. Alternatively, you can also register on the GVCW website and apply online.
One passport photo of yourself. It must meet the requirements set out by the Greece government.
A valid passport or travel document with at least two blank pages. It must be valid for 3 months after the end of your trip and be issued no later than 10 years ago.
Schengen Travel Insurance/Medical Insurance that provides a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 and is valid for the entire duration of travel. The insurance must cover the entire Schengen area and not just Greece. Also, Travel insurance must cover all COVID-19-related health emergencies.
Proof of accommodation. This can be private accommodation, a rental agreement, hotel reservations, etc., but it has to cover the duration of the whole stay and all the Schengen countries you plan to visit other than Greece. If you have booked a packaged tour, attach a detailed travel itinerary.
Proof of financial funds. This includes a cover letter as well as a bank statement of the last 3 months, stamped and signed by your bank manager, a copy of the Income Tax Department Return + ITR V acknowledgment of the previous financial year, and a signed and stamped leave permission from your employer.
Proof of employment or studies on official letterhead, stamped and dated, containing contact information (address, email, telephone number) as well as name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. The letter must state the name and position of the applicant, salary, years of employment/studies, and approval of absence/position after leave. For unemployment: unemployment certificate and proof of income, if any (married: employment certificate of spouse, a document of the income of the spouse, and a marriage certificate).
A return flight ticket that proves you plan to return to your home country.
A cover letterexplaining the purpose of your trip, what you plan to do, and when you'll return home. Basically, it just proves the purpose of your trip.
Your employment status.
Document Requirements Depending On Employment Status:
If you are self-employed, you need to present a copy of your business license in India, company income tax returns for the past two years, and a copy of the company’s bank statement for the past 3 months, signed and stamped by the bank manager.
If you own a business in India, you need to present the certificate of registration of the company (Form B, rule 5(1) or Form ST3, rule 11)
If you are a student, you have to present a copy of the enrolment paper that serves as proof that the applicant has planned to study in that school/university and a copy of the No Objection Certificate from the respective school or university.
If you are salaried, proof of employment/studies on official letterhead, stamped and dated, containing contact information (address, email, telephone number) as well as name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. The letter must state the name and position of the applicant, salary, years of employment/studies, and approval of absence/position after leave.
If unemployed, unemployment certificate and proof of income, if any (married: employment certificate of spouse, the document of the income of the spouse, and a marriage certificate).
The GVCW Greece Visa Application Center provides a Document checklist for Schengen Tourist Visa.
What Are The Minimum Financial Requirements For A Greece Visa For Indians?
Citizens of a Non-EU country are obliged to attest to possessing an amount of 50€ per day when applying for Greek Visa to a Greek Embassy or Consulate.
Remember, this is only the minimum amount. Your visa application will look much more compelling if you prove you have more finances. Anything within the ballpark of INR 8 to 10 lacs should solidify your application even further.
Where Can I Apply For Greece Schengen Visa?
Although it was possible to apply for a Greece visa for Indians at the Embassy and Consulate General of Greece located across the country, the application process is now majorly handled only by GVCW Greece visa for Indians application centers across the country.
You can book an appointment at the closest GVCW by registering online with GVCW.
How To Apply For Greece Schengen Visa?
You now know the documents you need to submit for a successful Schengen Visa application. Next, I'll walk you through the steps you need to take when you start your application.
Step 1: Collect The Required Documents
Start collecting the required documents first. It's the most time-consuming part of the process. Doing this first will allow you to leave enough time for unexpected delays, such as collecting an incorrect document, finding accommodation, and so on.
Step 2: Complete The Schengen Visa Application Form
Next, you must complete the Greece Tourist Visa for Indians Application FormRemember, all the information you provide must be correct and accurate.
Keep your passport close when filling out your visa application form. Always refer to your passport when entering your personal details. Any Schengen visa application mistakes) will result in visa rejection.
Step 3: Schedule Your Greece Visa Appointment
After you've determined where you need to apply, you must schedule a Greece visa appointment. Next, you'll need to create an account (if you don't have one already) and choose the Visa Application Center closest to you.
Be mindful that you might not find an appointment time suitable to your needs.
Step 4: Attend Your Visa Appointment
On the day of your appointment, visit the visa application center at the scheduled time. Arrive at least half an hour early in case there is a rush at the center, and make sure you carry all the documents with you.
Once the visa officer checks your document, they might interview you for a short while, but there is nothing to be nervous about. Answer each question truthfully, and it should be okay.
After attending your interview and submitting your documents, you'll be requested to submit your biometric information.
The biometric information is just your fingerprints and a digital photo of yourself. This is not required if you've been to the Schengen Area in the last 59 months.
Step 5: Receive Feedback From The Embassy
The only thing left to do now is wait for your visa to be processed. As mentioned, this can take between 15 - 30 days.
After it's processed, you'll receive feedback from the visa application center via email, a call, SMS, or your preferred contact method. You can Track Your Application here.
General Information About The Greece Visa From India
This section covers the extra information about the Greece visa for Indians. This includes:
How Long Can I Stay In Greece With A Schengen Visa?
The single-entry Schengen Visa allows you to visit Greece for a maximum of 90 days within every 180-day period. To calculate your stay in Schengen, you can use the Schengen Visa Calculator.
Remember, overstaying your welcome in Greece can lead to heavy fines, jail time, and even a ban.
What Is The Greece Visa Processing Time?
The Greece visa processing time is between 15 to 30 days. However, you can apply up to 6 months in advance.
How Much Is The Greece Visa Fees for Indians?
You can expect to pay the following fees for your Greece Schengen Visa:
For adults: INR 6700 or EUR 80
For children 6 - 11 years: INR 3400 or EUR 40
For children under 6 years: Free
Please note that these visa fees are nonrefundable.
Can I Travel To Other Schengen Countries With A Greece Schengen Visa?
Yes, you can. You're allowed to travel to any Schengen States with your Greece Visa for Indians. Nonetheless, you need to clearly state that you plan to travel to other countries in your application.
You can visit the following Schengen Member States with your visa for Greece from India.
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
That's It!
Now you know how to apply for your Greece Visa For Indians!
Ensure that you follow my exact steps, and you'll have your visa in no time. The final step is to make some unforgettable memories in Greece!
Enjoy.
The information in this post are from a reliable source like the Hellenic Republic website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The visa for Greece from India is payable in cash or through UPI (Unified Payments Interface) in the equivalent amount in Indian Rupees (INR), as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice. The EURO currency mentioned above is for reference only.
The available payment method of the Greece Visa Fees for Indians and the Service Fee is in cash or through UPI at the Visa Application Center for Greece.