How to obtain a guest visa to Greece through an invitation?

Simplifying the visa application process

If you have acquaintances or relatives who hold citizenship or residency in Greece, you can significantly simplify the visa application process for your visit. In this case, you will need to obtain an invitation from the host, as well as proof of your relationship—whether it's a friendship or family ties. This will allow you to avoid the need to provide additional documents that are usually required to justify your visit, such as hotel bookings, tour payments, or flight purchases. With such an invitation, the processing of your visa application will be much faster, as visas issued based on invitations are prioritized in consulates.

Invitation from a legal entity

In addition, there is another option for obtaining a guest visa — an invitation from a legal entity. This method is suitable for those invited to professional events, such as exhibitions or conferences. In this case, the invitation must include all the necessary information about the event and the organization hosting it.

Characteristics of a guest visa

A guest visa falls under the category of short-term visas. It can be either single-entry or multiple-entry, allowing you to stay in the countries of the European Union for up to 90 days within a six-month period.

The process of obtaining a guest visa

Now it's time to consider the steps that will help you obtain such a visa. The procedure for obtaining a guest visa for a trip to Greece by invitation is similar to the usual process for obtaining a tourist visa. You will need to make an appointment at the visa center in advance and gather additional documents confirming your friendly or family ties with the Greek side.

Invitation letter

An invitation letter, an important document for obtaining a guest visa, must be prepared by the hosting party in Greece. It is issued on a special form that can be obtained at the local police station. The invitation must include the following information:

• Full names and surnames of the inviter and the invitee;
• Passport details of both parties;
• The purpose of the visit (for example, to spend time with a friend or relative);
• Desired duration of stay in Greece;
• Information about family or friendship connections;
• Address of a Greek citizen;
• The address where the foreigner will be located;
• Information about who will cover the expenses for the trip — the inviting party or the traveler themselves.

Recommendations for preparation

It is recommended to specify a longer duration of stay in Greece in advance, as the consulate may independently establish a shorter period. Therefore, it is better to ensure that the length of the visit is clearly indicated in the invitation, including all necessary details. This will significantly increase your chances of successfully obtaining a visa and help you enjoy your stay in this incredibly beautiful country without any issues. With a properly arranged invitation and clear information, you will be able to focus on having positive experiences rather than on visa formalities.

According to the current regulations, in order to successfully obtain a visa, the inviting party must not only issue an official invitation but also provide several important documents. These include a copy of the passport or residence permit, documents confirming ownership of the property or a rental agreement, a certificate of income, as well as a bank statement demonstrating sufficient savings.

To increase the likelihood of obtaining a visa, it is advisable to include a personal letter in the document package, explaining the reason for the visit, whether it is to meet friends or family members.

Application review process

Greek migration services review such applications within one to two weeks. Upon completion of the case assessment, the person in Greece is issued an official invitation. The completed original of this invitation must be sent to the country from which the guest is arriving, so that they can present it at the consulate.

Requirements for the invited person

What should be known about the requirements for the invited person? They must demonstrate real ties to Greece. This can be done through evidence:

• evidence of kinship
• documents from educational institutions
• general photos
• other materials confirming the connections

It is important to remember that while in the country on a guest visa, the invitee is not allowed to engage in any work or business activities in Greece.

Visa application process

The entire process of obtaining an invitation-based visa involves several key stages.

Preparation of documents by the inviting party

First, it is necessary to prepare the documents from the inviting party. For this, a relative or friend living in Greece must contact the local police station to obtain a special invitation form. After filling out the form and gathering all the required documents, including identification, they are submitted to the Greek immigration service.

If the final decision is positive, the invitation will be prepared and must be sent by mail to the country from which the guest is arriving.

Preparation of documents by the applicant

The next step involves preparing the documents for those planning a trip to Greece. It is critically important to gather all the necessary papers, have them apostilled, and, if required, make translations. You also need to register on the visa center's website and fill out the applicant's questionnaire. Don't forget to pay the consular fee.

Submission of documents

When all the documents are ready, the applicant can submit them to the consulate or visa center. This can be done either independently or through a special agency.

You can access information about the status of your application on the visa center's website using the data provided at the time of document submission. The visa application process allows you to either pick up the completed documents yourself or use courier services. The processing of a guest visa is significantly faster than that of a standard tourist visa; however, it is important to consider the time required to prepare and send the invitation from Greece to the invitee's country of residence.

Documents for a guest visa

To obtain a guest visa for Greece, you will need to present a set of documents at the visa center. First of all, a valid foreign passport is required, which must be valid for at least three months after the end of the trip. It is also important that there are at least two blank pages in the passport for the visa and stamps. In addition, you need to provide photocopies of all pages of your Russian passport.

Filling out the questionnaire

The visa application for Greece must be filled out on a special form in English using neat printed letters. The applicant's personal signature on the form is mandatory. An official invitation from the Greek side is also required, which must be issued on a standardized form and certified by the Greek migration service (the original is required). Additionally, a copy of the identity document of the person sending the invitation, as well as a rental agreement, must be included.

Additional documents

Don't forget to attach the income statement of the inviting party and their tax declaration. You should also prepare an invitation. For the visa application, you will need two color photographs measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm, made in accordance with the requirements for Schengen visas. The face in the photographs should occupy at least 70% of the entire image.

• Receipts confirming the payment of consular and visa fees.
• A health insurance policy with a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros in the EU countries and the Schengen area.
• The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the stay.

Make sure you have the ability to confirm your financial capability. This can be done using:

• Employment verification (a letter from the employer stating the salary and consent for leave).
• Documents confirming the existence of a business.
• Sponsorship letter.
• Bank statements showing a sufficient balance in the account for travel (at least 720 euros).

A cash flow statement for the last three months may also be needed.

Additional requirements

The consulate reserves the right to request additional documents if the information provided is found to be insufficient.

The cost of visa processing

As for the cost of obtaining a guest visa to Greece, in 2023 the consular fee for adult citizens of the Russian Federation is80 eurosthat at the time of writing the material is approximately8,000 rublesPlease note that the conditions and requirements mentioned may change, so it's always best to verify the information's accuracy before submitting documents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a guest visa to Greece can be an exciting and not too complicated process for you, especially if you have friends or relatives who hold Greek citizenship or residency. The advantages associated with the simplified procedure allow you to save time and effort, as the document requirements are significantly reduced. In this context, it is important to remember that an invitation from the host is a key element upon which the entire procedure is based.

I understand that traveling is not just an opportunity to see a new country, but also a chance to strengthen connections with loved ones who are abroad. Detailed information about what documents will be required and how to properly arrange an invitation will help avoid unnecessary hassles. It's also important to keep an eye on deadlines to ensure that all stages go smoothly and without delays.

Important points

• Invitation from the host party— a key element in the visa application process.
• Document collectionIt should be carefully planned to avoid delays.
• Processing timesThe response times may vary, so it's important to take into account the waiting time for a reply from the consulate.

The relationships between countries and their citizens are becoming increasingly important today, and simplifying the visa regime is a step towards those who want to establish contacts and business connections. Thanks to the simplified visa application process, this is becoming more accessible. We must take advantage of these opportunities to broaden our horizons and enrich our life experiences. I am confident that your trip to Greece will leave you with only positive impressions and unforgettable memories.