Greece is a beautiful country with a rich historical background that attracts many tourists from all over the world to this beautiful land every year. In order to temporarily stay in Greece for the purpose of tourism, visiting acquaintances and providing an opportunity to experience the unique culture and history of this country, applicants apply for a Greek tourist visa. Greek tourist visa is one of the methods of immigration to Greece to enter this country and it is known as two types of visas, namely temporary residence visa or visitor visa.
Greek tourist visa and its types
The European Union, through the Embassy of Greece, provides the possibility of issuing a Schengen tourist visa, which allows you to travel to Greece and other countries in the Schengen area. By receiving this visa, you can stay in Greece for 90 to 180 days.
Greek tourist visa belongs to the category of short-term visas and is in group C. This visa refers to a visa that people receive with the purpose of traveling to a Schengen member country or visiting their relatives in that country.
Conditions and general rules of tourist visa
To apply for a Greek tourist visa, you need to be familiar with the rules and conditions set by the Greek government. It is important to prove that you have a continuous relationship with your country of origin and that you do not intend to stay permanently in Greece. For this, you can use things like having a family or having a job to assure the Greek government that you will leave the country after the visa expires.
The cost of obtaining a visa and possessing the money at the time of applying for a Greek visa, regardless of the type of visa, you must pay a certain amount to the embassy. This amount is to cover the costs of handling your application at the Greek Embassy. The visa fee is non-refundable. Even if your application is rejected or you regret your decision while it is being processed.
Necessary documents to obtain a Greek tourist visa
Fill out the immigration forms completely because any defect in the documents or the form will cause your application to be rejected. Provide a little more than whatever amount was intended for financing to increase the chances of getting a visa. Your documents must show why you intend to stay in Bunan temporarily. If it is felt that the purpose of your trip is not clear and you may not intend to return to your country, you will face a rejected visa. The documents you will need to apply for a Greek tourist visa are as follows
- Online Schengen tourist visa application form
- Valid passport
- Two photos
- Identity documents such as birth certificate and national card
- Old passports
- Travel insurance
- Hotel reservation sheet
- Book a round trip flight
- Certificate of financial ability
During the document review process for your Greek tourist visa application, the embassy may ask you to provide additional information or documents. These documents, mentioned in the previous section, are used in all countries of the Schengen area. However, it should be noted that these primary documents alone are not a guarantee for receiving a Greek tourist visa. Therefore, be sure to present all the required documents to the embassy at the time of the interview or other specified times.
Procedures for obtaining a Greek tourist visa
Obtaining a tourist visa for Greece, like other Schengen member countries, is a multi-step process that requires the preparation of documents and their submission to the Greek embassy or consulate in the applicant country. In the following, we will explain each of these methods.
Completing the Schengen visa application form
After confirming the details of the time and place of your stay in Greece, you need to send your application. For this purpose, first visit the website of the Greek Embassy and read the instructions exactly. After completing the relevant form online, proceed to the next steps.
Scheduling the visa interview
To get a Greek tourist visa, you need to book an in-person interview. Scheduling an interview is done through the same website where you filled out the application form. After submitting the application, you will be able to receive the date and time of your interview. This process is one of the important steps you need to take to get a tourist visa.
Supporting documents for Greek tourist visa application
An essential part of the Greek tourist visa application process is the completion of a comprehensive application that must contain the required supporting documents. Please collect the required documents carefully according to the table presented in the previous section. In case of problems or questions during the preparation of documents, it is recommended that you first contact the embassy officials and ask your questions. This initial contact with the embassy can greatly assist you in successfully completing your application for a Greek tourist visa.
Participate in the visa interview
Be on time in the interview meeting that will be held on the specified date. This interview is designed as a one-on-one conversation between you and the embassy officer. In this process, you are required to answer questions about your trip to Greece. The main importance here is devoted to accuracy and honesty in answering the questions. On the day of the interview, you will be required to present documents related to your trip to the embassy, and they will likely ask you questions about these documents. This bilateral communication with the embassy officer is an opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the information and to establish a positive relationship in order to obtain a Greek tourist visa.
Authentication
If you have not entered any of the Schengen area countries in the last five years, you will necessarily have to authenticate yourself on the day of your interview at the embassy. This authentication is implemented by registering your face image and requesting a fingerprint.
The time required to obtain a Greek tourist visa and its validity
The time required to obtain a Greek tourist visa depends on the completeness of the documents and the volume of applications. In general, Greek tourist visas are issued at certain times, but according to the needs and requests, it may be difficult to determine the exact time. Usually, this process takes at least 120 to 130 days. On the other hand, in certain urgent situations, a shorter time may be possible. More detailed information can be announced based on individual circumstances and issues of the day.
Necessary documents for Greek tourist visa extension
Unlike some other countries, Greece does not allow you to extend your Schengen visa within the country. Therefore, if you plan to stay in Greece after the expiration of your visa, you must apply for a visa extension at the Greek embassy or consulate in your country (Iran) before going to Greece.
Of course, in special and urgent cases, such as accidents, health crises, unforeseen changes in travel plans, etc., you may be able to request an extension by contacting the Greek Foreign Police offices. This application only allows you to stay in Greece temporarily to solve your problem and should not be confused with a Schengen visa extension.
The cost of obtaining a Greek tourist visa in 2024
According to the latest news in 2024, the cost of a Greek tourist visa (Schengen visa) usually ranges from €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6 to 12 years. However, fees can vary based on factors such as nationality, age and specific conditions. .
According to gr.usembassy.gov:
US citizens are generally allowed to travel to Greece without a visa if they are coming for tourism for a short time.
US citizens are generally allowed to travel to Greece without a visa if they are coming for a short period of time for tourism.
Reasons for Greek tourist visa rejection
Inadequate documents often result in the rejection of a Greek visa application, because comprehensive information is requested from the applicant to obtain a visa. If any of these documents are incomplete, the visa application will be rejected. Also, if the applicant’s financial means are not clearly demonstrated to the interviewing officer, the Greek financial means visa application may be rejected. The Greek Embassy infers that the applicant does not have enough financial resources to stay in the country and may face problems during the trip.
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