Greece Visa for UAE Residents
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Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Greece?
The requirement of a Greece visa for UAE residents depends on their nationality. UAE citizens do not require any visa to enter Greece if their stay does not exceed 90 days. However, other UAE residents with a valid residence permit must obtain a Schengen visa to visit Greece.
Greece is part of the Schengen area, a group of 29 European countries that permit free movement across their borders. So, foreign nationals traveling to Greece can apply for a short-term Schengen visa or a long-term national visa based on their purpose and duration of visit.
Types of Greece Visas Available for UAE Residents
Short-term Schengen visas are issued for purposes such as tourism, family visits, business meetings, official work, and attending sporting or cultural events. The duration of a short-term visa is 90 days.
Long-term national visas are required for stays exceeding 90 days. These visas permit applicants to stay in the country for up to one year. National visas are issued for the following purposes:
Employment (work visa)
Study, research, and training (study visa)
Family reunion (residence visa)
Investment or other independent financial activity (residence visa)
A type A visa is an airport transit visa (ATV) that permits the traveler to pass through the international transit area of any airport in Greece. This visa does not allow the holder to enter the Schengen area.
Greece Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
Eligibility
The applicant must hold a passport with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of the Schengen visa. The passport must be issued within the last ten years. Further, the UAE residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months.
Documentation
A completed and signed visa application form
Recent passport-sized photographs adhering to the Schengen standards
A cover letter with clear details of your travel purpose, duration of stay, countries you plan to visit, and related details
Confirmed return tickets indicating your travel back from Greece or Schengen area
Proof of accommodation in Greece i.e. hotel room booking, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from your host
Proof of financial means i.e. bank statements confirming that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Greece
Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros to cover health emergencies
Simple Process of Applying for a Greece Visa
The Greece visa application procedure is quite simple. You can visit the Greek government’s official portal, select the right visa type, fill out the application form, pay the fee, and book an appointment with the Greek consulate or visa application center. As Greece is part of the Schengen area, you can also visit Greece on a Schengen visa.
How Much Does a Greece Visa Cost? What is its Validity?
| Particulars | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Adults | 340 |
| Children (6 to 12 years) | 170 |
| Children (below 6 years) | Free |
Note: The VFS Dubai visa application center charges an additional service fee of AED 88. The payment can be made either in cash or through a card.
Greece Visa On Arrival for UAE Residents
Only UAE passport holders can travel to Greece without a visa. They are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Greece and stay for up to 90 days. The following documents are required to avail of this facility:
A UAE passport with a validity of at least six months from the travel date
A cover letter conveying the purpose of the visit to Greece
Bank statements as proof of finances to cover the stay abroad
Greece Visa Application Process
Check your eligibility and the type of visa you need. The citizens of EU/EEA and other visa-exempt countries do not require a visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days
Download the Schengen visa application form from the official websites of the Greek embassy or an authorized visa application center. Complete the form with the correct details and sign it
Gather all the required documents as described above. Please ensure that your photographs meet the Schengen guidelines
Schedule an appointment with the Greek embassy/consulate or the visa application center. Appointments can be booked online or through a telephone call
Visit the center on the scheduled date and time with your passport, visa application form, and other documents. You may be asked to provide your biometric data and attend the visa interview
Pay the prescribed visa fee for adults and children (if any). The payment can be made in cash or through your credit/debit card
The visa processing may take around 15 days or more depending on your visa type and the total number of applications received during the same period
After processing, you will receive your passport back with the visa either approved or rejected. You can appeal the decision if your visa is denied and you feel the decision is incorrect
How to Check the Greece Visa Status Online?
Visit the official website of VFS Global (Greece)
Choose the country where you submitted your visa application
Find the “Track Your Application” section.
Enter your reference number and last name (this is usually provided when you submit your application) and click ‘Search’
The current status of your application will be displayed
You can also contact the Greek Embassy or Consulate where you submitted your application and request a status update.
Frequently Asked Questions about Greece Visa for UAE Residents
The Schengen visa to travel from Dubai to Greece costs around AED 340 for adults and AED 170 for children aged between 6 to 12 years. There are no charges for children aged below 6 years.
Yes. Greece is part of the Schengen area, a group of 29 European countries with free border movements. So foreign nationals can apply for a Schengen visa to visit Greece for short-term stays not exceeding 90 days.
The processing time for a Greece visa may vary based on the visa type, travel season, number of applications, and other specific factors. However, it typically takes around 15 working days to process a visa application.
Only UAE citizens can travel to Greece without a visa. Hence, they are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Greece and stay for up to 90 days. Other UAE residents are required to apply for a visa in advance if they do not belong to the visa-exempt countries.
A Greece visa can be obtained from the Greek embassy or consulate in Dubai. You can also apply through an authorized visa application center like VFS Global.
The Greek embassy provides emergency services for entry, business, and transit visas. This special service is available for an additional fee of 43 euros (AED 176) and is typically granted based on the embassy’s discretion.
