Getting A Greece Visa
Overview
Situated in south-east Europe, Greece is a small country in with thousands of islands spread out in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Greece flourished in the ancient times, over 2000 years ago, and is commonly called the cradle of Western civilization. The capital of Greece is Athens, which still retains ancient landmarks, such as the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple. Plays written by Greek dramatists are still performed today. Greek sculptures, statues, buildings made in those ancient times are still looked upon with awe today. And Greece is also the country where modern democracy and modern sciences were born. Greece is now officially a part of the Schengen zone, which is an area consisting of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and all other border controls between them. The Schengen zone mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes and has a common visa policy.
Greece Schengen Visa Types and Validity
The Greece Schengen visa allows free movement to the visa holder within the Schengen area during its validity. You are eligible to apply for a Greece Schengen visa if you are a citizen of a non-European country. As per the type of visa issued, there are different restrictions that apply to the different visas in accordance with the nature of travel and other circumstances. The main types of Greece visas are:
Uniform Schengen Visas (USV)
The Uniform Schengen Visa is a permit of one of the Schengen Area Member Countries to transit or resides in the desired country for a certain period of time, up to the maximum of 90 days every six months. According to the purpose of travel, the Uniform Schengen Visas are of ‘A' or ‘C’ types. The ‘A' type is Airport Transit Visa which allows its holder to travel in the international zone of the Schengen airport without entering the Schengen Area. This visa is mandatory for people travelling from one non-Schengen state to another non-Schengen state via a change of flights in a Schengen country airport.
The ‘C’ category visa stands for a short-term visa which allows the holder to stay in a Schengen Zone for a fixed period of time as per the validity of the visa. This visa can be obtained as a single-entry visa, double-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa.
Single-entry visa
On a single-entry visa, you can enter the Schengen Area only once, within the stipulated period of time mentioned in the visa. Once you exit the Schengen territory, you cannot go back, even if you have not spent the full number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued the visa.
Double-entry visa
By and large, a double-entry visa works in the same way as a single-entry visa. The only difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the latter gives you the chance to go back once more to the Schengen territory once you have exited it. However, you cannot enter the Schengen Zone again after you have exited it a second time, even if you have not completed your full permitted duration of stay.
Multiple-entry visa
A multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit the Schengen zone as many times as you want, as long as you do not violate the 90/180-day rule. Depending on your requirement you can apply and obtain a 1-year, 3-year or 5-year multiple-entry visa.
National Visas or ‘D' category visa
Then there is the national visa or ‘D’ category visa which is given for study, work or permanent residency in one of the Schengen Zone countries. This visa can be of a single- or multiple-entry given to people who are going to reside in the Schengen country for a fixed duration for a specific purpose after which they will return to their country.
Greece Schengen Visa Types as per travel purpose
When you apply for a Greece Schengen visa, you will have to specify the purpose of your travel, according to which the appropriate visa will be issued. Your travel can be for any of the following:
Airport Transit Visa: This visa is issued to people who have to travel through the international zone of a Schengen Zone Airport without entering the specific Schengen country.
Transit visa: The transit visa is similar to the Airport transit visa. It is meant for foreign seafarers, who need to halt for a short duration by the seaport in a Schengen zone country.
Tourist visa: This is one of the most popular Greece Schengen visa types, as there are many tourists who arrive to see the historical sites in the country.
Visit Family or Friends: If you have family members or friends who are legal residents of Greece can apply for this visa if you wish to visit them.
Business visa: If you wish to visit Greece for business, you can apply for this visa, and you will get priority over other visa applicants, even during peak season.
Official trip: You will have to apply for this type of visa if you are going to travel to Greece on official duty, even if you are accompanying a big delegation on the same dates and for the same purpose.
Medical purpose: If you wish to visit Greece for medical treatment, you need to select this option in your visa application. This visa is issued for a period of three months.
Study visa: Students to wish to undertake a study course, such as a language course or to appear for an exam, need to apply for this type of visa.
Any other purpose: If your purpose of visit to Greece is something else other than the ones stated above, you will have to check the “other” category in your visa application form. However, you may have to give a written explanation about the purpose of your visit.
Documents required for getting a Greece Schengen Visa
The following is a list of common documents required for a short-term Greece Schengen visa:
- A fully filled and duly signed visa application form.
- Two recent passport-sized photos taken in the last three months must be attached to the visa application form.
- A valid passport, which should not be older than 10 years, and should have a validity of at least three more months more than the duration for which you wish to stay in Greece.
- You will have to attach proofs of your round-trip tickets, hotel reservations, and your tour itinerary in Greece.
- You must produce your travel insurance policy, which has a coverage of at least 30,000 euros for medical emergencies, such as diseases, accidents, or repatriation in case of death. Getting this travel insurance from Bharti AXA would be ideal as it would cover all the possible contingencies.
- ou will also have to submit the proof of your accommodation during your visit to Greece. It can be a hotel or a hostel booking, a rental agreement, a letter of invitation from the friend or family member who is calling you, etc.
- You will also have to submit the proof of your financial means showing that you will be able to support yourself financially during your stay in Greece. This can be your bank statement for the last three months, or the bank statement of your sponsor, also spanning the last three months.
- Proof that you have paid the visa fee, which is 60 euros for adults and 35 euros for children between 6 to 12 years of age.
Specific Documentation for specific Greece Schengen Visa Type
You may be required to submit additional documents for specific Greece Schengen visas as follows;