Do South Africans need a visa for Greece? If you are a South African national, this is one question you may wish to ask, and it is valid because there are selected countries whose citizens don’t require a visa to enter Greece. In this post, we answer the question and provide more feedback about the Greece Schengen visa process.
Travelling To Greece
Greece is one of the historic city-states whose origin can be traced back long before the start of the Hellenistic era. Today, it is a tourist haven with amazing beaches, lovely islands and famous landmarks. Many visitors who would like to enjoy the Mediterranean weather come to Greece to enjoy at any of the numerous villages and resorts. South Africans who want to leave Africa and go somewhere nice can visit Greece on holiday. Besides the thriving tourist industry, they can also visit for study, business or any other purpose but will need to ally for the right visa.
Do South Africans Need A Visa For Greece?
Yes, they do. South Africa is a member of the African Union, not the European Union, and it is not a member of the Schengen region area. So if South African citizens wish to visit Greece or any other Schengen or EU nation, they must obtain a visa.
Greece Visa Fee and Approval Timeline
The visa fee you pay to get the visa will depend on the type of visa you apply for. But we know that the average visa processing fee may cost between €60 - €100. This fee is paid using a credit or debit card. As for the approval timeline, it depends. A long-term visa may take up to one month before it is processed and approved, while a shirt term visa may take only a few days.
To be safe, it is best to apply for the visa at least one month before the day you plan to travel.
How To Apply For A Greece Visa?
There are two ways to apply for a Greece visa for South African passport holders. The first one is to approach the Greek embassy in Johannesburg to submit your supporting documents and the application form in person. This method is meant for long stay visas like work or study visas. The second method is the online method for short-stay visas like tourist visas.
Greece Visa Requirements For South Africans
Here are the supporting documents South African citizens must submit to qualify for a Greek visa.
Application Form: The visa application form must be correctly filled with accurate information. The information must reflect what is obtainable in other documents and signed by the applicant.
Passport: A valid South African passport is required to apply for this visa. The passport must be at least 3 months old, counting from the day the applicant exits the country. The passport must contain at least 2 blank pages suitable for visa stamps.
Photograph: 2 recent coloured photographs taken at least 6 months before it is used. The photos must be on a white background with a 35x45mm size dimension.
Air Ticket: A return air ticket back to South Africa. The ticket should not be bought, but reservations can be made online. It should show the travel dates.
Proof of Income: Proof of income is required for all foreigners coming to Greece for business or pleasure. The applicant must submit a statement of account showing a minimum expense capacity of R700 daily. Account balance must have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in Greece.
Medical Insurance: Medical Insurance is required for all visitors to Schengen countries. The visa must have a €30,000 cover for all medical expenses incurred during their stay in Greece. Only Schengen recognized insurance companies are accepted.
These are the basic documents required for all visa applications, but selected documents will be requested for different visas.
Types of Greek Visa For South Africans
As a South African, you can apply for the following visas
Tourist Visa
Study Visa
Business Visa
Medical treatment Visa
Digital nomad Visa
And lots more
Do South Africans Need A Visa For Greece? They sure do, and the documents above are important. For short-stay visas, log onto VisaHQ.