How long does Greece visa take? If you plan to apply for it, you should be interested to know how long you will have to wait before the visa is ready. Timing is crucial if you want your travel plans to go as planned, so applying for the visa on time is ideal. This page contains information about the Greece Schengen visa application process.
Greek Schengen Visa
Greece is a part of the global Schengen area, so the visa the government issues is classed under the Schengen visa category like other member nations. In all, there are nearly 30 Schengen nations and tier citizens who don’t require a visa to enter member states. Citizens of the UK, US, and other EU nations don’t need a visa to enter Greece either. However, citizens from countries that are not part of the Schengen or EU or on the visa exempt list must apply and obtain a visa before they are allowed into the country.
Greece Schengen Visa Validity & Processing Fee
The Schengen visa is valid for 90 days and allows the holder to stay in the country for 30 days or more. However, there are special long-stay visas that allow a longer stay. Also, some visas can be extended for a further 90 days, but the visitor must apply for an extension at least 7 days before their current visa expires. Overstaying after your visa expires is a crime that attracts sanctions like fines and even jail time.
Applicants must also pay a visa processing fee before submitting their applications for approval. The application fee is €80 on average, but this fee is subject to change depending on the type of visa you are applying for and your country.
How Long Does Greece Visa Take?
So how long does Greece visa take? Under normal circumstances, this visa may take up to 15 working days after submitting the application form to get approval. In extreme cases, when there is a backlog of unresolved applications, you may wait up to 30 working days to get your Schengen Greece visa. During peak seasons, when the weather in much of Greece is warm and many tourists troop to the country, you may need to wait for up to 60 days.
Bearing this in mind, it is advisable to apply for the visa at least a month before your trip. Note that if you apply too early and the visa comes out, this may be an issue, especially since the visa is valid for only 90 days. So consider the season and your travel plans before you apply.
How To Apply For A Greece Visa
You can apply for a visa to Greece by doing one of two things. Firstly, you can visit the Grece embassy in your country or any of its consulates to apply for a visa. This process is recommended for long-stay visas. For short-term tourist visas, you can do so from the comfort of your home if applicants from your country can apply online. VisaHQ is a user-friendly portal where you can access the form and complete it in under 30 minutes.
Here are the steps to take to submit a visa application form on VisaHQ.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select your country of citizenship
Pick Greece as your destination
Choose your preferred visa of choice
Complete and sign the application form
Scan and upload all necessary documents
Pay the visa application fee with a debit or credit card
Submit the form and documents for approval
The waiting period is as discussed above, and if your application is successful, the visa will be forwarded to the registered email you provided in the application form. You are expected to print it and bring it along on your trip to Greece. Immigration officers will review it alongside other documents before stamping your passport and allowing it into the country.
Documents Required For A Greek Visa
Here are the documents required from all applicants to obtain a visa to Greece to complete the Schengen visa application.
Form: A duly completed and signed application form
Passport: A valid passport not older than 10 years with at least 3 months of validity after the visa expires. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages for Greece tourist visa stickers or stamps at the point of entry.
Medical Insurance: A medical travel insurance issued by a Schengen-recognized insurance company.
The insurance must have a minimum of €30,000 coverage to cover medical bills.
Proof of funds: A statement of account for 6 months showing the minimum balance to cover your expenses. The minimum daily expense fee is €50 a day.
Proof of accommodation: a copy of your hotel reservation or the contact address where you plan to stay.
Cover Letter: A cover letter indicating the purpose of your visit to Greece.
Itinerary: Information about your arrival and departure date, including the places of interest you plan to visit
Return Ticket: A copy of the return ticket reservation