Think Greece, and we immediately conjure up a quaint land abounding in mythological gods, goddesses, and ancient heroes. But Greece is much more than this stereotype, promising historical and scenic takeaways for travelers from around the globe. Leading the trail of must-see Grecian cities are Athens with its Parthenon Temple; Meteora, home to the world’s largest monastery complex; Naxos with its archeological ruins and sandy beaches; Nafplion the seat of ancient castles and exotic wines; and let’s not forget Lindos, famous for its community of whitewashed houses.

Greece Visa Consulate

To meet the demands of Greece Visa processing, every major city in USA has Greece Consulate located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tampa, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. Each consulate caters to travelers from adjoining cities as well. New York in particular accepts applications from Bermuda, Connecticut (Fairfield County), New Jersey and Pennsylvania in addition to NY itself.

Greece Visa Paperwork

Of course, there is much more to Greece than can fit into words. And justice to this European beauty can only be done by stepping into its glorious medieval atmosphere.

If you are a US Citizen, you can board the next flight to Greece, with minimal paperwork. All you need is proof of US Citizenship and financial security such as pay slips, credit card statements, personal bank statement, etc.

US Green Cardholders need to obtain a Schengen Visa to visit Greece. You can do this by furnishing documents depending upon the purpose of visit. Tourist Visas are the commonest and the easiest to obtain. Here are the documents you need:

1. Passport issued in the last 10 years with at least 3 months validity after return to US.
2. One passport-sized photograph as per visa specifications.
3. Green Card or US Visa. B1/B2 visa stamps will not be considered.
4. Flight itinerary with onward and return dates of travel.
5. Hotel reservation with check-in and check-out dates as well as hotel/visitor communication details.
6. Travel insurance valid across the Schengen Area and minimum coverage of €30,000.

In addition, you will also need to submit other documents to prove:

1. Your social and professional status.
2. Reason for visit if the purpose is not tourism. The reasons could be related to business, official, medical treatment, education, visiting family/friends, sports/religious/cultural, or even airport transit.

Types of Greece Visas

Greece Schengen Visas are valid for 90 days with options for Single Entry, Double Entry, and Multiple Entry within this period. For stays of more than 90 days, you will need a National Visa. This is strongly advised if you wish to pursue studies, seek employment, or reunite with family members.

Applying for a Greece Visa

New Yorkers can apply for a Greece Visa through the Consulate General of Greece in NY. This Consulate also processes Visa applications of New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The application process must be initiated online.

1. Visit website, Proceed to Step Number 5 and follow the steps to book an appointment. Ensure that the appointment date is 15 days to 3 months before your proposed date of travel.
2. Next, put your paperwork together. The detailed list of documents is available on the website. Finally, attend the appointment on time carrying all the visa processing documents with you. Please follow all rules of social distancing and hygiene in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Once the appointment is complete, pay the Visa Processing Fee, and hope for the best!

You will receive your passport in 2-3 weeks’ time by post. If the Visa has been stamped, check if the details are correct, and contact the Consulate in case of disparities. If the Visa has not been stamped, you can follow up with the Consulate to find out why.

The commonest reasons for Visa rejection is lack of financial security, incomplete paperwork, or information mismatch. Do not feel disappointed. You can always re-apply! Just be extra careful not to repeat the same mistakes you did previously. Greece is going nowhere and sooner or later your trip will become a reality.