Tourism plays an unbelievable role in the economy of Greece, contributing about 20.6% of Greece’s GDP as per the 2018 survey. Over 28 million visitors visited Greece in 2016, and it is boosting annually by making it one of the most visited places in Europe.

Greece; is proudly considered the “Cradle of Western Civilization” because it is; the place where democracy, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, Western Philosophy, Western Literature, Olympic games, and theatre took birth. 

Greek Schengen Visa came into existence in 2000 when Greece became a Member of the European Union and a Member state of the Schengen Zone. 

Greece is home to the world’s fifth-best party town (Thessaloniki) according to the records of Lonely Planet, the world’s best travel island (Santorini), 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 14 more already in nomination for further updates. 

Greece is the breath-taking country among all the 26 Schengen countries that covers hundreds of sandy beaches, ultimate nightlife, fun-filled, joyous family vacation, picture-perfect sightseeing spots, local delicacies, chilling atmosphere, and a lot more for a complete package of an adventurous trip.

Types of Visas:

Greece consulates provide two types of visas based on the duration and purpose of your trip; 

1. National Visa: This visa type is for more than 90 days and employment, family get-together or residence, study, research.
2. Schengen Visa: This visa is for 90 days and business, tourism, visiting family & friends, and transit visa.

The general list of documents essential for applying to Greece Visa from Canada:

1. You need to download the visa application form and fill it out completely. Or else you can fill out the Greece Schengen Visa application form digitally and take a printout of that form.
2. You are supposed to attach two recently clicked, light background passport size photos to your form. 
3. Your valid passport with two blank pages at least. Also, you need to have your previous visas of three months validity before your return date. 
4. Travel Insurance in both Greece and the whole Schengen zone with minimum coverage of 30,000 €.
5. A cover letter, having the details of your Greece visit.
6. Your civil status proof (if applicable ration card, marriage certificate, death certificate of your spouse, birth certificate of your children).
7. Flight Itinerary including the details of your Greece journey including both arrival and departure dates and flight numbers,
8. Hotel Reservation documents of your throughout stay in Greece.
9. Source of livelihood means your financial support evidence for your throughout Greece stay.
10. The additional list of documents required to apply for a Greece Visa from Canada according to your occupation status

Below are the example Flight itinerary, Travel Insurance and Hotel confirmation documents.

For Self-employed 

• Your business license copy.
• Income Tax Return.
• Bank statement from company’s bank of last 06 months.

For Employed

• Employment agreement.
• Employer’s leave sanction letter.
•  Bank statement from company’s bank of last 06 months.
• Certificate of Income Tax or Income Tax Return (ITR) decreased at salary source.

For Student

• Evidence of enrolment.
• NOC- No-Objection letter from university or school.

For Retiree

• Pension invoice of last six months.

# If applicable, evidence of last six months daily rendered income from a property.

NOTE: All the documents mentioned in the above list be submitted along with a correctly filled and signed Visa application form or must be handover physically to the responsible Greece Embassy/Consulate of your home country. 

Further, there are other documents necessary to provide based on the intention of your visit to Greece for the Visa application process;

Greece Visitor Visa

• Passport duplicates
• Last six months bank invoice.
• Invitee from Greece residents of your family or friends with the details of address and contacts if necessary.

Greece Business Visa

• Certificate of permitting your business travel to Greece from your employer.
• Recent; business bank statement of six months.
• An Invitee from a Greek company of your visit along with the dates and address.
• Letter of Invitation from the partner company stating the details of the applicant’s expenses coverage throughout their Schengen Greece stay.
• Original Certified copy of Memorandum and Article of Association registered with joint-stock companies, first issued and current renewed Trade License and documents of Partnership/Proprietorship.

Greece Medical Visa

• Medical reports of your local.
• Medical fee receipt.
• Greece doctor/hospital attested medical documents about the date and details of your treatment.

Greece Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Visa

• Applicant’s (crew members) name.
• Stay duration.
• Travel Itinerary.
• Invitee from the authorized event crew about the details, activities, objectives, and charges of the event.

Greece Official Delegates Visa

• Applicant’s Identification documents.
• Invitation document.
• Stay duration.
• The trip purpose (meetings, negotiations, intergovernmental organized events, and consultations).
• Accommodation details.

Greece Study Visa

• Course permitting enrolment certificate.
• Course charges aid.
• Course completion certificate.

Greece Visa for Greek citizen’s wife/husband

•  Marriage certificate of Greece.
• Family record book of Greece.
• Greece citizenship evidence (consular card or ID card or naturalization order or Greek Nationality certificate.

Greece Airport Transit Visa

• Your final target country’s legal Visa copy.
• Visa or Transit country’s entry permit documents.

Greece Minor Visa 

• Guardian/Parent Travel permission consent.
• Evidence of parent’s daily income (bank statement or business license or work agreement with particular income).
• Official travel consent from parents, if any parent stays in another country.

HOW TO APPLY?

• Firstly, you need to complete your online visa application form on the Greek Embassy’s Website. 
• Next, you have to schedule an appointment for your visa at the respective Greece consulates online or by phone. And; you will receive your confirmation in your email.
• You must be ready with all the documents required for your visa application type as mentioned above for submission. 
• Then, attend your appointment for a visa interview as per the schedule.
• Lastly, you will receive your processed visa and passport to your home address via mail.

WHERE TO APPLY?

You must submit your visa application documents to the particular embassy according to your residence in Canada.

1. Greece Consulate General in Montreal: – Jurisdiction Areas- New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Provinces of Quebec.

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Address: 1002 Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 2620, H3A 3L6, Montreal QC.
• Telephone: (+1514) 8752119.
• Fax: (+1514) 8758781.
• E-mail: montreal@mfa.gr
• Hours: 9.00 am – 2.00 pm from Monday to Friday. 

1. Greece Embassy in Ottawa: – Jurisdiction Areas: Gatineau for Quebec Province, and Kingston & Ottawa for Ontario Province.

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Address: 80 Maclaren Str., K2P 0K6, Ottawa.
• Telephone: (+1613) 2386271.
• Fax: (+1613) 2385676.
• E-mail: grcon.otv@mfa.gr
• Hours: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm from Monday to Friday.

1. Greece Consulate General in Toronto: – Jurisdiction Areas- Manitoba and Ontario (except for Kingston and Ottawa) Province.

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Address: 1075 Bay Str., Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M5S 2B1.
• Telephone: +1 416 515 0132.
• Fax: +1 416 515 0209.
• E-mail: toronto@mfa.gr
• Hours: 9.30 am – 2.30 pm from Monday to Friday.

1. Greece Embassy in Vancouver: – Jurisdiction Areas- Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Provinces.

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Address: Suite 500-688, West Hastings Str., V6B1P1, Vancouver.
• Telephone: 6046811381.
• Fax: 6046816656.
• Email: vancouver@mfa.gr
• Hours: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm from Monday to Friday.

CONCLUSION: 

The Greece Embassy’s Visa Application Process takes 15 days to complete in general, and it may also take 30-60 days based on the type of your visa application and your nationality. Your visa may be rejected in case of Lack of funds, non-signed, without flight reservation, already possessing a current Visa.