A long - term visa (National Visa - D Type Visa) is an authorization issued by the competent Greek Authorities for the entry and stay of third - country nationals in the territory of Greece for a period exceeding 90 and up to 365 days, in accordance with the respective national legislation or European Union Law on the residence status of third - country nationals. In general, the competent Authority for issuing a national visa is the Greek Diplomatic / Consular Authorities in whose jurisdiction the applicant is legally located.
Applicants can submit an application for a long stay visa in Greece at the Visa Application Center. To book an appointment, please click here.
Subsequently, applicants may present themselves in person before the Greek Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post in the jurisdiction of which they legally reside and regardless of the national visa category to be issued, in order to be interviewed, to establish the purpose of their entry and stay in Greece.
Broadly, most commonly national visas are issued for such purposes, though not exclusively, as investors, financially independent individuals, for professional pilots, for university studies and for family reunification. The general supporting documents and detailed information and specific requirements for each of these purposes of the intended stay can be viewed in the relevant sections below.
- A.3.1 Investors (investment of at least EUR 250.000)
- B.13 Greek Language Learners in University Language Centres
- B.14 Participation in summer education programmes
- C.4.1 Financially independent individuals
- C.4.8 Students of Schools For Aircraft Operators And Professional Pilots/Pilot Instructors
- C.4.10. Entry for medical nursing and palliative care
- D.1.1 University studies in AEI (bachelor, master and doctoral studies)
- D.4.1 Professional training
- F.1 Administrative procedure for family reunification: Establishing a family relationship and granting a visa for the family reunification of third-country nationals
For all other purposes of long-stay National "D" Visa, please click here to download the file which refers to the supporting documents for each category of National Visas.
A long-stay visa (national visa – Visa D) may be granted under the following general conditions, provided that the applicant third country-national submits to the relevant diplomatic or consular authority of:
- A fully completed and signed application form for a long-stay national visa, accompanied by a recent, coloured photograph of the applicant, which shall comply with the relevant ICAO-defined specifications. The application shall be in the form of a solemn statement provided for in the provisions of paragraph 6 of Article 22 of L. 1599/1986 declaring that the included data are true and the supporting documents are not false or falsified.
- Passport or other travel document recognized by the competent Greek authorities which meets the following criteria:
(a) it shall be valid for at least three months from the date of intended departure from the territory of the Member States of the Schengen enhanced cooperation, or, in the case of more visits, after the last scheduled date of departure from the territory of the Member States, however, in justified cases of urgency, this obligation may be waived;
(b) it shall contain at least two blank pages,
(c) it has been issued within the previous decade. - A certificate of criminal record from the foreign authorities certifying the applicant’s criminal record in his country of residence. In cases where it is established that the applicant has resided in a country other than his or her country of origin, for more than one year before the application for a visa, the consular authority may, in addition, request a criminal record from the country of nationality of the alien, if the country of residence does not require a criminal record from the country of nationality to issue a residence permit.
In cases where a final judgment exists, whatever the sentence, in order to establish the relevance of the offence to grounds which pose a threat to public policy and security, specific reasons shall be sought and parameters weighted, such as the seriousness of the offence, the recidivism and the general misconduct of the third-country national. - A medical certificate from a recognized state or private body, showing that the applicant does not suffer from a disease capable of posing a risk to public health in accordance with the international data of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the EU acquis, as well as other infectious, contagious or parasitic diseases, which require measures to protect public health (more information on infectious diseases can be found on the website of the Hellenic National Public Health Organization - EODY);
Please download, print out and submit the medical certificate filled in, signed and stamped by the doctor along with the required documents at the Visa Application Centre.
- travel insurance, with a period of validity equal to the visa issued, as a minimum, which covers the costs that may arise in the event of repatriation for medical reasons, for emergency medical care and/or emergency hospital care.
And in addition, the applicant should:
- not to be considered as a threat to public order, internal security, public health or international relations and not be registered as persona non grata (undesirable alien) in national databases,
In order to establish that there are no conditions for refusing entry in Article 4 par. (2) of L. 4251/2014, the competent diplomatic mission and consular office may require additional supporting documents.
As referred to in paragraphs A1, A2, A3 and A7 of Article 16 of L.4251/2014 as replaced by Article 8(21) of Law 4332/2015 (OJ 76/s.A΄/09.07.2015), Article 84 of Law 4399/2016 [A΄ 117] and paragraph Article 1 (42)(a) of Law 460/2019 [A΄52], the Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with A. F. 3497.3/AP 24245/OJ B' 1820/03.07.2014, JMD 30825/OJ B' 1528/06.06.2014, and JMD oik.53969/2014/OJ B' 2928/30.10.2014, as amended by JMD 68019/2015/OJ B' 2272/21.10.2015, to third-country nationals intending to make an investment of at least EUR 250.000 per person having a positive impact on national development and economy, may be granted, following a personal appearance and interview, a national visa indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference 'A. 3.1 investment activity'.
Depending on the size and characteristics of the investment, up to ten third-country nationals, including investors, can enter and reside in the country for its implementation and operation.
A precondition for the entry and residence of these third-country nationals for the implementation of the investment in Greece, is the motion of the Foreign Capital Directorate of the Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, which concerns the characterisation of the investment and the expediency of granting a residence permit.
In order to obtain the national visa, the persons concerned must procure the consular authority concerned with:
- A brief study showing the investment project in accordance with the model of the competent authority which is located electronically on the following web site. The attached standard form is available here. The interested parties can fill it in online and submit it to the Consular Authority concerned.
The Consular Authority may forward this form electronically to the Foreign Capital Directorate of the Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, email address: ggse@mnec.gr and infodesk@mnec.gr.
a. This form is currently only available in Greek and should be completed in Greek. In Consular Authorities where translation into Greek is not possible, Directorate and the translation service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be consulted in order to find a solution.
b. In order to send complete files, an Annex has been added at the end of the form, where Consular Authorities may check the completeness of the supporting documents and other particulars attached to the investment project by indicating √.
The application and the required supporting documents, shall be submitted to the Greek consular authority in the area of residence of the interested persons and shall be forwarded to the Foreign Capital Directorate of the Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism. - The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
WITHIN one month, the above mentioned directorate shall examine the application and forward the relevant report to the competent consular authority in order to obtain the required national visas.
Where new investments are made by already operating domestic companies or EU nationals, as well as third-country nationals already legal residents in Greece and holding a residence permit for an independent economic or investment activity, who wish the entry of executives, the application with supporting documents shall be submitted directly to the Foreign Capital Directorate of the Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism and the motion of this agency shall be sent to the Directorate for Immigration Policy of the Ministry of Immigration Policy or to the Greek Consular Authorities of the countries where the persons concerned reside in order to obtain their visa.
The number of persons who may be granted an entry visa in connection with the implementation of the investment shall be related to the amount of the investment as follows:
| Amount in EUR of the investment for all investors | Maximum number of residence permits (executives) |
| to 300.000 | 0 |
| 300.000 - 1.000.000 | 1 |
| 1.000.001 - 3.000.000 | 2 |
| 3.000.001 - 5.000.000 | 3 |
| 5.000.001 - 10.000.000 | 4 |
| 10.000.001 - 15.000.000 | 5 |
| 15.000.001 - 20.000.000 | 6 |
| 20.000.001 - 25.000.000 | 7 |
| 25.000.001 - 30.000.000 | 8 |
| 30.000.001 - 40.000.000 | 9 |
| above 40.000.000 | 10 |
They above may also be accompanied or followed by family members, so long as the cost of living and health care does not affect our national welfare system and provided that, following a personal appearance and interview, they are given a national visa indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference 'F.1. Family members of a third-country national’. The visa shall be upon procurement of:
- A certificate of family status by the competent local authorities certifying kinship.
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- In the event of civil partnership, if concluded in Greece, the civil partnership registration act of a Greek public authority shall be submitted.
It should be noted that third-country nationals legally residing in the country with any visa, either with a permanent residence permit or a long-term residence permit issued by another Member State, may submit an application to the Directorate for immigration Policy of the Ministry for immigration Policy for the development of investment activity.
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
180€ |
207.00 |
|
Visa Fee for each family member |
180€ | 207.00 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in point (k) of Article 18(1) L. 4251/2014, as amended and applicable third-country nationals, may be granted a national visa following a personal appearance and interview, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference 'B.13. Greek Language Learners in University Language Centres’, upon procurement to the relevant diplomatic mission or consular office of:
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- They must be at least 18 years old and
- They should have been admitted for independent study at a University language centre, with the aim of learning the Greek language.
- The national visa shall be granted to the person concerned, provided that the following specific conditions are met:
(a) the production of a certificate from the centre that the person concerned has been admitted to a programme which requires a regular non-distance learning and the precise duration of the study programme;
(b) s/he has sufficient resources to cover subsistence costs during his/her stay and study in the country, without burdening the national welfare system. The amount of sufficient resources shall be fixed at 650 EUR per month and shall be evidenced by a deposit account, bank transfer and/or a grant.
(c) pay an administrative fee of EUR 150. - Confirmed fully paid round trip travel-ticket: Fully paid return travel tickets with travel dates and booking reference/ e-ticket number specifying entry and exit from Greece, clearly stating the applicant’s name and surname, submitted along with the receipt of payment. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English).
- Proof of fully paid accommodation: Hotel confirmed fully paid accommodation: accommodation should cover the duration of the whole stay in Greece submitted along with the receipt of the payment; confirmed hotel booking in the form of the transfer of the whole correct amount covering the cost of the stay in the hotel applicant’s name and surname, arrival and departure date, address of the hotel and contact details (email address and telephone number) of the hotel should be clearly stated. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English).
The national visa of equivalent duration, with the period of time spent in the Greek language learning programme, and in any case up to one (1) year, does not give access to any form of work, and after the end of the Greek language learning programme, before the expiry of the national entry visa, the third-country national must leave the country.
In the event of continuation of the Greek language learning programme, for a period longer than the period of validity of the national entry visa issued, a residence permit of up to one (1) year may be granted each time, and up to a maximum of three (3) years, provided that the third-country national concerned, prior to the expiry of the national visa, submits to the competent authority of the Decentralized administration of the place of residence a request, accompanied by the supporting documents referred to in Article 18(1) 1(k) L. 4251/2014
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
75€ |
86.25 |
|
Administrative Fee |
150€ | 172.50 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in point (m) of Article 18(1) of L. 4251/2014, as amended and applicable, third-country nationals, students of foreign higher education institutes participating in summer courses in accordance with article 90 of the L. 4692/2020 (A΄ 111), may be granted a national visa following a personal appearance and interview for a period of up to seven (7) months, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference 'B.14. Participation in summer education programmes’, where the persons concerned, who should have completed, at the time of application, the 18th year of age and not accompanied by dependent family members, procure to the diplomatic or consular authority:
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- A certificate of registration or confirmation that they have been accepted for registration by the educational establishment concerned;
- Evidence of payment of the fees to the educational establishment concerned;
- The administrative fee of EUR 150;
- Evidence that they have sufficient resources to cover their subsistence costs as set out in their no. oik.41712/2014 Joint Decision of the Ministers for Economic Affairs, Interior and Labour, Social Security and Welfare (B΄ 2285), in proportion to the sufficient resources required to obtain a residence permit for study purposes.
- Confirmed fully paid round trip travel-ticket: Fully paid return travel tickets with travel dates and booking reference/ e-ticket number specifying entry and exit from Greece, clearly stating the applicant’s name and surname, submitted along with the receipt of payment. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English).
- Proof of fully paid accommodation: Hotel confirmed fully paid accommodation: accommodation should cover the duration of the whole stay in Greece submitted along with the receipt of the payment; confirmed hotel booking in the form of the transfer of the whole correct amount covering the cost of the stay in the hotel applicant’s name and surname, arrival and departure date, address of the hotel and contact details (email address and telephone number) of the hotel should be clearly stated. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English).
During their stay in Greece, as holders of the national visa, they are not allowed to provide employment or to engage in economic activity in the country.
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
75€ |
86.25 |
|
Administrative Fee |
150€ | 172.50 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in point a of Article 20 of L. 4251/2014 , the Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with A.F. 3497.3/AP 24245/OJ B' 1820/03.07.2014, and JMD 30825/OJ B' 1528/06.06.2014, third-country nationals, provided that the persons concerned have sufficient resources at the level of fixed annual income to cover subsistence costs, may be granted following a personal appearance and interview, a national visa, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference to ‘C.4.1 Financially Independent Individuals’ upon procurement to the relevant diplomatic mission or consular office of:
- Evidence that the person concerned is financially independent (income, high-income pensioner, etc.) and has sufficient means of subsistence at a level of fixed annual income, the amount of which is fixed at EUR 2.000 per month as provided for in JMD 41712/2014 (B΄ 2285) or
- Act of a public insurance institution providing a final pension.
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
Where the third-country national concerned is accompanied by the members of his/her family, the amount of EUR 2.000 shall be increased by 20% for the spouse and by 15% for each child.
The requirement of adequate living resources must be fulfilled either in the person of each family member or cumulatively for all members of the family.
ATTENTION: Periods of absence from the country shall not prevent the renewal of the residence permit, provided that they do not exceed six months per year!
The amount of resources, at the level of fixed annual income, shall be evidenced by a foreign pension, bank account or proof that they possess, on their own, sufficient legitimate financial means to cover their subsistence costs without providing a dependent job or carrying out an independent economic activity in Greece.
It is noted that consular authorities should examine during the interview, the reliability of the applicant’s statements, the purpose and conditions of residence. The lack of contact, interest in Greece, non-prior residence in the country, and prior visas from other Schengen Member States are indications that the purpose of the person concerned is different from that for which s/he is applying for the visa.
They may also be accompanied or followed by family members so long as the cost of living and health care does not affect our national welfare system and provided that, following a personal appearance and interview, they are given a national visa indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference ‘F. 1. Family members of a third-country national’. The visa shall be upon procurement of:
A certificate of family status by the competent local authorities certifying kinship. The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
180€ |
207.00 |
|
Visa Fee for each family member |
180€ | 207.00 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
According to the Joint Ministerial Decision No oik.368/24.01.2018, which has entered into force since 9/2/2018 and which replaces JMD 49122/30.09.2014 [B΄ 2657] a third-country national wishing to enter and settle in Greece in order to attend a training school for pilots, engineers and cabin crew operating with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority may be granted, following a personal appearance and interview a national visa - type D or Schengen - type C visa as appropriate.
CAUTION: The third-country national who applies to the relevant Greek diplomatic or consular office, for the issuance of a national visa (type D), shall not be allowed to apply simultaneously for the issuance of a uniform visa, (type C) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a Community Code on visas, on the basis of the provisions laid down in this Regulation and vice versa. During and until the expiry of a uniform type of entry visa, no application for a national entry visa may be lodged for this purpose!
In particular, there are the following categories:
1. Entry and residence for long-term education (national visa)
Where the duration of the training exceeds six months, a national visa of up to 365 days shall be issued indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» the reference ‘C.4.8. Aircraft Operators And Professional Pilots/Pilot Instructors.’ Such applications from third-country nationals should be submitted no later than six (6) months before the start of each study programme .
Applicants should provide the consular authority with the following:
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- Certified copy by the Civil Aviation Authority of the decision to authorize the operation of the School of Education, which the third-country national wishes to attend.
- A certificate from the School of Education showing the duration of the training, the date of commencement of each study programme and the amount of the total tuition fees.
- An attestation from the School of Education that the prospective student fulfills the conditions for being admitted to each School.
- Curriculum vitae of the prospective student and any person who assumes the costs of study and living for the prospective student in Greece, as well as any relevant evidence (annual salary attestations or six-month bank account movements, etc.).
The competent consular authority must send immediately the above supporting documents, accompanied by a copy of the application and a photocopy of the applicant's passport(s), to the Ministry of Interior (civil protection sector), in order to carry out the necessary security checks.
Upon completion of the security check and before issuing the entry visa, the consular authority will invite the prospective student to provide a certified copy of the receipt for 1/3 of the tuition fees.
2. Entry and stay for short-term education (national visa)
Where the duration of the training includes air training from 1 day to six months, a national visa shall be issued to applicants for training lasting from 91 to 180 days, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the reference ‘C.4.8. Aircraft Operators And Professional Pilots/Pilot Instructors.’, which permits their stay until the completion of the training without requiring a residence permit.
Where appropriate, it shall concern the follow-up of educational programmes, such as :
- Night flight capacity
- Acquisition of type capacity
- Trainer capacity
- Examiners course
- Degree conversion school
- License endorsement or renewal
- Flight hours completion
Such applications from third-country nationals should be submitted no later than six (6) months before the start of each study programme.
Applicants should provide the consular authority with the following:
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- Certified copy by the Civil Aviation Authority of the decision approving the operation of the School of Education, to which the third-country national is registered.
- Confirmation of the School of Education, showing the duration of the training programme, the date on which it is to begin and the amount of the tuition fees.
- An attestation from the School of Education that the prospective student fulfills the conditions for being admitted to each School.
- Curriculum vitae of the prospective student and any person who assumes the costs of study and living for the prospective student in Greece, as well as any relevant evidence (annual salary attestations or six-month bank account movement, etc.)
The competent consular authority must send immediately the above supporting documents, accompanied by a copy of the application and a photocopy of the applicant's passport(s), to the Ministry of Interior (civil protection sector) in order to carry out the necessary security check.
Upon completion of the security check and before issuing the entry visa, the consular authority will invite the prospective student to provide a certified copy of the receipt for 1/3 of the tuition fees and an administrative fee of 150 EUR.
In addition, in case the student completes his/her studies prior to the expiration of the national visa granted, s/he informs the School of the date of permanent departure from Greece. The School is then obliged to inform the competent Greek consular authority immediately in order to revoke the visa since the initial cause of granting thereof shall have has disappeared.
3. Entry and stay for short-term training not involving air education (Schengen visa)
Entry and stay in the country with a uniform visa, (type C) is allowed where required, as defined in Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, for a period not exceeding ninety (90) calendar days, to third-country nationals who have been admitted to a training course of this type provided that the course does not exceed ninety (90) calendar days and does not include air training under the responsibility of the School as appropriate. The above also applies to third-country nationals listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 who are exempt from the visa requirement.’
In the "OBSERVATIONS" area of the Schengen visa sticker, the words "Aircraft Operators Engineers and Crew” are indicated.
Any extension of the uniform visa provided for in this Article by the competent authorities of the Hellenic Police of the Ministry of Civil Protection shall be issued in accordance with Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 ‘Visa Code’, either for reasons of force majeure/Humanitarian reasons or for unforeseen personal reasons, which will be assessed in this context.
It is also possible to issue a Schengen (type C) visa to third-country nationals for participation in land-based examinations, which are a prerequisite for attending programmes in training schools, which are operated with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority. These examinations do not include air examinations. In the case in question, a certificate from the School of Education endorsed by the Civil Aviation Authority shall be submitted.
In addition, the following issues are highlighted, which are to be taken into account and applied before issuing the entry visa:
(1) where the applicant for an entry visa, a student candidate is an officer or a government official in his/her country, it is essential for the relevant Agency to provide authorisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(2) proof of payment of fees (in 1/3 or full payment, depending on the category of visa JMD No. 2 and 6) should be requested by the consular authority after the completion of the security check and the opinion of the relevant services and in no case together with the submission of the application.
(3) in the case of the granting of a Schengen (type C) tourist visa to a third-country national, a student of an air school, to attend theoretical courses, without entering controlled airport areas (JMD no. 7 number oik.368/24.01.2018), the consular authority should inform the relevant security services of the country of the date of commencement of the entry visa.
(4) the granting of a Schengen tourist visa to a candidate to enter the country for the purpose of attending theoretical courses or participating in ground-based examinations without entering controlled airport areas (no. 7 (JMD ) does not subsequently bind the consular authority to issue or not to issue the relevant national entry visa for category C.3.8. (JMD no. 1 and 5).
(5) the fact that third-country nationals have applied for a national visa before 9/2/2018 (entry into force of a new JMD) does not prevent them from applying to the consular authority for a Schengen (Type C) tourist visa for attendance of theoretical courses without entering controlled airport areas (JMD no. 7 number oik.368/24.01.2018). This application will be examined by the consular authority normally, while the procedure for issuing or not issuing the national entry visa will run simultaneously.
(6) as soon as the consular authority has received the approval for the issue of a national visa, under JMD oik.368/24.01.2018, the person concerned should be immediately notified in order to come to the Consulate with his/her passport to affix the visa and to affix the relevant stamp of the Authority. There is no deadline for appearance. If the person concerned is already in Greece with a tourist visa, after the end of theoretical courses and the return to his country, s/he may appear at the consular office with his passport for D VISA to be affixed on it.
(7) the prospective student should indicate in his/her application to the consular authority whether s/he is in possession of more than one passport. If so, his/her application for an entry visa should be accompanied by photocopies of all passports.
A question should be added to the application form completed by the prospective student of an air school for a national visa, as to the number of passports s/he holds. In case of more than one, his/her application form for an entry visa should be accompanied by photocopies of all passports.
(8) according to JMD (no. 1 and 5), the application for a national visa for category C.3.8 may be submitted to a consular authority no later than six (6) months before the start of the course, which means that the applicant may submit it earlier, i.e. 7 months or more before the start of the programme. The only issue is the validity of the certificates, which, if necessary, should be re-submitted before the visa is issued.
(9) finally, it should be noted that when a candidate lodges an application for a national visa, consular authorities cannot retain his/her passport for the period necessary until the final arrangement of his visa is reached.
4. Entry and residence of third-country nationals entering Greece for work, as "professional pilots - pilots' instructors" in training schools, operating with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority.
The Training School for pilots, operating with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority, wishing to recruit professional pilots - pilots' instructors for work, shall submit an application to the competent department of the Decentralized Administration of its place of operation, indicating the number of jobs, the personal data and nationality of third-country nationals to be employed and the period of their employment.
The application shall be accompanied by:
(a) A copy of the decision approving the operation of the School of Education to which the third-country national will work certified by the Civil Aviation Authority;
(b) A valid full-time contract of at least one year in Greece, showing that his/her remuneration is not below the salary threshold for employment, commensurate with the highly qualified employment, which is identified and published for this purpose by the Directorate for immigration and Asylum Policy of the Ministry of immigration and Asylum. This threshold shall be at least equal to 1,5 of the average gross annual salary in Greece, as established on the database from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, for the application of the wage criterion under the provisions of Article 111 of the L. 4251/2014;
(c) Income tax clearance note, in the case of an individual undertaking or a copy of a tax declaration of a legal person, in the case of a legal person, accompanied by a solemn statement by the L. 1599/1986, which establishes the accuracy of the information given and which enables the employer to pay the monthly remuneration as defined in the labour contract and that the undertaking or legal person does not make losses greater than profits. The employer's gross income shall be set at a minimum at the cost of the two hundred thousand EUR (200.000) per person employed;
(d) Curriculum vitae of the prospective employee;
(e) Evidence of formal qualifications relating to the subject-matter of work, i.e. EASA standards and legislation degree (CPL or ATPL with F.I. (flight instruction) and proficiency certification of English language at least level 5, in accordance with ICAO standards;
(f) Certificate from the School of Education certified by the Civil Aviation Authority that a third-country national fulfills the conditions to work as a professional pilot - instructor for pilots at that School of Training for pilots; and
(g) Proof of payment of a fee of EUR 200 for any third-country national who wishes to employ, which is collected in the public interest and which is not refunded.
The coordinator of the Decentralized Administration shall adopt an act authorizing the third-country national to provide employment at the School of Education, as a pilot professional - pilot instructor.
The authorization document shall be transmitted together with the employer’s signed labour contract to the competent Greek diplomatic or consular office by the competent Decentralized administration, either by post or by courier at the request of the employer concerned. In the latter case, the employer shall bear the cost of sending the mail.
The Greek diplomatic missions or consular offices before issuing the national visa shall immediately send requests from third-country nationals to the authorities responsible for the necessary security clearance, which shall give their opinion on them, to the Greek diplomatic missions or consular offices. Upon completion of the security screening, the competent Greek consular authority shall invite the third-country nationals concerned, for whom an authorization for entry into Greece has been issued for the purpose of providing employment, to issue the national entry visa. The persons concerned must appear in person with the above office in order to sign the relevant labour contract and obtain a national entry visa of category 'C.4.8. Aircraft Operators And Professional Pilots/Pilot Instructors.’ after submitting the general supporting documents.
Caution: They may not be accompanied by members of their families
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
180€ |
207.00 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in point H of Article 20 of L. 4251/2014, the Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with A.F. 3497.3/AP 24245/OJ B' 1820/03.07.2014, and the JMD 30825/OJ B' 1528/06.06.2014, third-country nationals, entering for medical, nursing and palliative care, may be granted following a personal appearance and interview, a national visa, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference 'C.4.10 Medical Care', upon procurement to the relevant diplomatic or consular office:
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
- An attestation of acceptance for hospitalization or treatment by a health care institution in the country, stating the estimated time and cost of treatment and, in the case of an adult, the necessity or non-necessity of escorting him/her to the country.
Evidence of insurance to cover the costs of nursing and medical care. In the absence of adequate insurance to cover the costs of nursing and medical care, evidence of sufficient resources to meet all costs of hospitalization and medical care may be accepted, evidence of sufficient resources for subsistence, for the period of residence in the country of the patients and his/her accompanying person(s), where appropriate. (The amount and means of demonstrating sufficient living resources shall be laid down in the Joint Ministerial Decision referred to in Article 136(7) L. 4251/2014 → not yet issued). - In the case of a minor child or an adult citizen who, because of the health problem, needs accompanying persons, a national visa may also be issued to the parents or persons having custody of the minor and to the spouse or accompanying person(s) for the adult third-country national, at their request.
More specific terms and conditions for the scope of this provision are laid down by a joint decision of the Ministers for Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Labour and Social Affairs, Health and immigration and Asylum→ has not yet been adopted.
The residence permit does not give access to any form of work, nor to the country's insurance or welfare system. The residence permit shall be annual and may be renewed for a period of equal duration if the same conditions are met, for a maximum of four (4) years. A change in the purpose of this residence permit shall not be permitted for a third-country national and his/her carer(s) who, after the end of the care programme, and in any event before the expiry of the residence permit, are obliged to leave the country.
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
180€ |
207.00 |
|
Visa Fee for each family member |
180€ | 207.00 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in Articles 31, 32 and 36 L. 4251/2014 , the Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with A.F. 3497.3/AP 24245/OJ B' 1820/03.07.2014, and the JMD 30825/OJ B' 1528/06.06.2014, third-country nationals who have been admitted to a higher education institution in the Greek territory to attend a full-time study programme in Greece following a personal appearance and interview, may be granted a national visa, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference ‘D.1.1 Studies’, upon procurement to the relevant diplomatic or consular authority of:
- Certificate of registration and payment of fees to the relevant educational institution, where required or confirmation that s/he has been accepted for enrolment in a higher education institution in the Greek territory to attend a course of study
- Evidence demonstrating that s/he has sufficient resources to cover the costs of studies and subsistence of a minimum amount of EUR 400 per month, as determined by reference to JMD 41712/2014 (B’ 2285). The amount of sufficient resources is evidenced by a deposit account, bank transfer, grant or salary receipt in case the student is part-time employee (on renewal of the residence permit).
- Consent of the parents or the person exercising parental care for the intended stay if they are less than 18 years of age.
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
It is noted that at the beginning of each academic year (September) the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs forwards to the consular authorities, the decision ratifying “Lists of aliens graduates of secondary education or of the relevant schools of EU Member States of non-Greek origin admitted in the departments/introductory sections and in higher education schools”, including the full names and data of aliens, in order to issue the relevant student visas, where appropriate, if the other conditions of entry are fulfilled.
Professional activity of students
According to Article 36 of L. 4251/2014 "third-country nationals who have obtained a residence permit for study purposes may only work part-time in accordance with the relevant provisions of the relevant legislation. In any event, the number of working hours may not be less than 10 hours per week or their equivalent in days or months per year.”
Accelerated procedure for post-graduate students
According to Article 37 of L. 4251/2014 the country's HEI shall inform consular officers by all appropriate means of any accelerated procedure for issuing residence permits to postgraduate students.
MARKINGS:
- They may not be accompanied by members of their families
- For Greek language learning see category B.13 ‘Learning Greek language in a teaching Centre or relevant University institute.
- This also applies to the foreign language courses in HEI under Article 37 L. 4251/2014, as amended by Article 94 of L. 4692/2020 and applicable:
Article 37
Accelerated procedure for granting residence permits to students of the 1st 2nd and 3rd cycles of study in Hellenic Universities
1. The country's higher education institutes (HEI) offering first, second and third cycle courses may conclude tripartite contracts with the Ministry of immigration and Asylum and the Decentralized administration, in the territorial jurisdiction of which the A.E.I. is based to establish a procedure for the rapid granting of residence permits to students, third-country nationals admitted to their study programmes and entering Greece with a national visa for study purposes, subject to the following conditions:
(A) the compulsory length of study shall be at least: (aa) three years for first cycle programmes, (ab) annual for second cycle programmes and (ac) three years for third cycle programmes;
(b) the conditions laid down in articles 32 and 33 for issuing residence permits under such agreements are fulfilled.
The contract referred to in this paragraph may relate to all or part of the study programmes of the relevant University which admit third-country nationals as students. [...]
4. The application for a residence permit shall be submitted, by the relevant HEI to the competent authority for Aliens and Immigration of the Decentralized administration, in accordance with Article 8, and shall be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents for the issue of the residence permit, as specified in the decision in paragraph 1 of article 136.
5. The residence permit for this purpose shall be issued by decision of the coordinator of the Decentralized administration no later than forty (40) days after the date of submission of a complete documentation file and receipt of the required biometric data, in accordance with the arrangements laid down in Article 1 of L. 4018/2011.
6. The residence permit is valid for a period equal to the maximum duration of the study programme, to which a third-country national has been admitted. Where there is a need for renewal to complete the study of a third-country national, the residence permit may be renewed in accordance with Article 34 in the context of the accelerated procedure laid down in this Article. The obligation to submit the data of case c΄ of paragraph Article 3(34) to the competent authority for immigration and immigration is to be borne by the relevant HEI.
7. After the conclusion of the contract under paragraph 1, the University shall, by all appropriate means, inform the Greek consular authorities of third countries from which citizens wish to enter in order to register in their respective University programmes of study, of the current Convention and the conditions for the accelerated procedure for granting residence permits to third-country nationals.
8 A decision of the Ministers for Education and Religious Affairs and immigration and Asylum shall address any questions relating to the application of this Article, in particular as regards the content of the Convention on the procedure for the rapid grant of residence permits to third-country nationals, who have been admitted to study programmes in HEI and any other procedural issues (--> not yet available).
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
90€ |
103.50 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
As referred to in Article 44 of L. 4251/2014, the Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with A.F. 3497.3/AP 24245/OJ B' 1820/03.07.2014, and the JMD 30825/OJ B' 1528/06.06.2014, third-country nationals who wish to enter Greece for training (in public or private IEK - in post-secondary education and college centres in lifelong learning centres (independent study centres), following a personal appearance and interview, may be granted a national visa, indicating in the national data area «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference ‘D.4.1 Professional training’, upon procurement to the relevant diplomatic or consular authority of
- A copy of a decision of the Minister for Education and Religious Affairs establishing or operating the IEK or College, or a copy of the OJ in which a decision of the Board of the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) has been published authorizing the Centre for Lifelong Learning 1 and 2 (formerly LSL);
- Registration certificate from the competent Public or Private Institute for Vocational Training (I.E.K.), College or Centre for Lifelong Learning 1 and 2 or confirmation that s/he has been accepted for registration and confirmation that the programme requires regular and not distance attendance;
- Evidence demonstrating that s/he has sufficient resources to cover the costs of study and living at least four hundred (400) EUR per month, as determined by reference to JMD 41712/2014 (B’ 2285);
- Evidence of proficiency in knowledge of the language in which the B1 course of study is taught;
- A certification and franchise agreement with foreign higher education institutes (HEI) recognized by the country of residence and courses leading to a postgraduate degree if these are certified by international certification bodies when the provider is a College;
- Confirmed fully paid round trip travel-ticket: Fully paid return travel tickets with travel dates and booking reference/ e-ticket number specifying entry and exit from Greece, clearly stating the applicant’s name and surname, submitted along with the receipt of payment. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English);
- Proof of fully paid accommodation: Hotel confirmed fully paid accommodation: accommodation should cover the duration of the whole stay in Greece submitted along with the receipt of the payment; confirmed hotel booking in the form of the transfer of the whole correct amount covering the cost of the stay in the hotel applicant’s name and surname, arrival and departure date, address of the hotel and contact details (email address and telephone number) of the hotel should be clearly stated. The receipt or payment confirmation should state no outstanding balance due to be paid (Payment receipts issued should be in English);
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
Caution: They may not be accompanied by members of their families
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
90€ |
103.50 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.
The role of the Consular Authority in the complex administrative process of family reunification is:
a. to establish the existence of a family relationship, by means of personal interviews (or through teleconference) with family members and to examine whether there is a risk to public health; and
b. to grant family members a visa for entry with the reference, indicating in the national data area, to the «OBSERVATIONS» of the visa sticker, the reference ‘F. 1. Family members of a third-country national’. In detail,
Step 1: The applicant who legally resides in Greece shall submit an application as the sponsor for family reunification to the Decentralized administration concerned, together with the necessary supporting documents.
Step 2: The Decentralized administration shall immediately consult the relevant police authority on matters relating to public policy and security in the country and the opinion of the competent Greek Consular Authority, with a view to establishing the existence of the family relationship, in particular through personal interviews (or through teleconference) with family members and the examination of risks to public health.
These opinions shall be delivered within a period of three months.
In addition, in exceptional cases relating to the complexity of the examination, that period may be extended for a period of 30 days.
The complete file of the applicant, who legally resides in Greece, for family reunification shall be sent to the relevant Consulate by the Decentralized administration either by post or at the request of the person concerned and provided that he/she bears the costs of dispatch, by means of the courier of ELTA or private companies. In any event, lists of citizens who have applied for family reunification shall be sent by e-mail to the relevant Consulates.
Step 3: The Greek Consular Authority shall receive the decision to authorize family reunification by the competent Decentralized administration, and shall grant, if the other conditions of entry are met, to the family members the special entry visas required.
The refusal to grant visas for family reunification requires a specific justification which should be given to the alien and sent to the Decentralized administration.
a. Verification of family relationships
In order to verify the existence of the family relationship, the Decentralized administration shall send to the Consular Authority, within a reasonable period, not exceeding one year from the date on which the third-country national’s application is made, the complete file of the applicant, who legally resides in Greece, containing:
- A copy of the request made by the inviting third-country national applicant, other than those regulated in categories A2, A3, A4, C2, C.3.1, C.3.2., D3 and D.4.5.
- A certified copy of a family status certificate and
- A copy of the completed standard information form for the alien, signed by the responsible official of the Decentralized administration, showing that the conditions of Article 70 of Law L. 4251/2014 have been fulfilled.
- The general supporting documents as described under the section "General supporting documents".
In particular, in cases concerning family reunification with minor children and in order to avoid abusive claims, which have been observed under the previous legislation, as they were submitted at a time when the remaining period before reaching adulthood was very short, a reasonable time in this case shall be considered to be the nine-month period, which is the maximum period for completion of the relevant procedure in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 7 of PD 131/2006.
The Consular Authority cannot initiate the procedure before receiving the official completed file from the Decentralized administration. Therefore, the applicant alien will be contacted by the Consular Authority upon receiving the complete file.
Once the application and its supporting documents are submitted, they are transmitted for verification. The verification procedure lasts approximately one month, depending on the case.
Following verification procedure, the Consular Authority shall invite the applicant alien to a personal interview (or through teleconference) and conduct any other investigation, including the examination of genetic material where necessary, in order to:
- establish the existence of the family relationship
- establish that the family relationship, in particular marriage, adoption or recognition of children, has not been concluded with a view to circumventing the law in order to obtain a residence permit. The family relationship shall be deemed to have been concluded for that purpose, in particular where there is no cohabitation of the family members or no possibility of communication or where one spouse ignores matters relating to the personal situation of the other spouse.
- examine whether false or misleading information, false or falsified documents or other unlawful means have been used.
- examine whether the marriage or adoption was concluded solely for the purpose of allowing the family member to enter and stay in Greek territory, and
- to be verified, in case of polygamy, whether the supporting member of the family is already resident with another spouse in Greece.
- examine the existence of risks to public health.
The family member may, in the process of establishing the family relationship, also provide the general supporting documents required for the visa in order to avoid a subsequent interview for the issuing of the visa, if deemed appropriate by the Consular Authority.
After the interview, the Consular Authority communicates to the Decentralized administration its opinion regarding the existence of family relationship.
b. Visa to family members of third-country nationals
The Decentralized administration, after receiving the Consular Authority’s opinion, issues a Decision concerning the issuance of family reunification visa or the rejection of the visa application.
The Consular Authority cannot initiate the procedure before receiving the official Decision by the Decentralized administration. The Consular Authority upon receiving the Decision informs the applicant alien through GVCW Visa Application Center and according to the contact details stated by the applicant who legally resides in Greece that the applicant alien can submit a visa application along with the required documents and the respective fees at the Visa Application Center for Greece.
If the decision to authorize family reunification of the responsible Secretary-General of the Decentralized Administration (except for categories A2, A3, A4, C2, C.3.1, C.3.2., D3 and D.4.5.) is received by the Greek Consular Authority, and the general and specific entry conditions are met, and without prejudice to the entry ban provisions of Article 82 of L. 3386/2005 the family members are issued with the necessary visas. Decisions rejecting entry visa applications for family reunification require specific justification, which should be granted to the alien, while being notified to the Decentralized administration.
Fees
The below rates are applicable and they may vary at any time:
| VISA CATEGORY |
EURO |
USD |
|
Visa Fee |
90€ |
103.50 |
- All Fees are payable in the equivalent amount in USD as per the current exchange rate, at the time of submission of the application at the Visa Application Center for Greece and are subject to change without notice.
- All Fees are non-refundable.
- Please note that applicants need to pay Service Fee of USD 35 per application over and above the above mentioned Fees.
- All the above mentioned fees can be paid in cash.