Visas
The visa application shall, as a rule, be lodged to the consular authority at least 15 days before the intended visit and no earlier than three months before the start of the intended visit.
The decision on the visa application is made, as a rule, within 15 calendar days of the date of the lodging the application which is admissible by the consular authority. This period may be extended to up to 30 days or, in exceptional, specific cases to 60 calendar days. The consular authority will inform you of the decision date when it receives the application.
General rules for lodging a visa application
To apply for a visa you shall submit:
1. Visa application form completed and signed
2. Passport, with at least two blank pages. The passport shall have been issued within the previous ten years. The passport shall be valid for at least three months after the intended date of your departure from the Schengen area or, in the case of multiple trips, until the date on which you plan to depart after your final stay.
3. A recent photograph conforming to ICAO standards .
4. Fingerprints. The applicant’s fingerprints shall be collected if they have not been registered in the VIS within the previous 59 months, during a previous lodging of a Schengen visa application. Certain categories of applicants are exempt from this obligation.
5. Visa fee.
Supporting documents
6. A valid Alien Resident Card or a visa to the U.S. (except for B1/B2).
7. Bank and credit card statements for the last 3 months.
8. W-2 forms for the last 2 years.
9. a) For employees: Reference letter from the employer stating position and monthly or annual salary
b) For self-employed persons: A letter from the bank that you do business with, stating that the company is in good standing.
c) For foreign students on F1 visas:
-valid I-20
-reference letter from educational institution (school/college/university) stating that you are in good standing, your major and the expected date of graduation.
10. Roundtrip tickets and itinerary of your trip.
11. Hotel reservations or proof of participation in group travel.
-If you are invited by a friend or family member: A letter of invitation (affidavit) signed by the inviting person and duly notarized in Greece.
-If you are travelling for business and your accommodation costs are covered by an inviting company in Greece: A letter from the inviting company
Travel Medical Insurance
Applicants shall have travel medical insurance that covers emergency medical care, hospitalization and repatriation (in case of death included). The minimum coverage should be for €30.000. This insurance shall be valid for the entire Schengen area, in the case of a uniform visa, or for the territory of member state(s) concerned in case of a visa of limited territorial validity, and throughout the duration of the stay.
Please note that, during the processing time, the consulate may, in individual cases, ask you to submit additional information or documents, or, if deemed necessary, call the applicant for an interview.
Information on the processing of your personal data - General Data Protection Regulation – information to be provided to visa applicants
Request for information on data in the national visa information system in Greece (N.VIS)
Request for correction or deletion of data in the national visa information system in Greece (N.VIS)
Attention! When your passport is returned to you, we ask that you check the affixed visa for any errors. If you find any errors, notify the consular authority immediately. If you do not do so, the consular authority bears no responsibility for any problems you may have carrying out your trip.
See useful information here on the visa you have been issued and on your trip to Greece and the Schengen area.
