Greece is a place that captures the hearts and imaginations of countless people. With the rapid growth of China's economic strength and rising income levels, the scenes once only found in poetry have transformed from distant dreams into tangible realities. However, whether you are traveling to Greece or applying for permanent residency to settle there, you must first obtain a Greek visa. Today, we provide you with a comprehensive guide to Greek visa applications.
Required Documents for a Greece Visa
1. Photographs
Applicants for a business visa must provide two recent color photographs with a white background, with dimensions of 30mm x 40mm.
2. Employment Verification Letter
The employment verification letter must be written on official company letterhead, including the company's address, telephone number, and fax number. It must also state the applicant's name, job title, income, and years of service. The signature line must have the signatory's name printed and be signed by the signatory.
The duration of employment stated in the letter should match the company's business license, and the workplace location should ideally match the address on the company's business license.
Helpful Tips
Freelancers unable to provide an employment letter may submit an explanation letter in English along with their spouse's employment verification letter. Please note that providing a fraudulent employment verification letter will result in the rejection of your visa application.
3. Bank Statements
Applicants must provide original personal bank statements for the most recent 3 to 6 months. These statements typically require a bank seal to demonstrate the applicant's financial capacity for international travel to Greece.
* If the applicant is a retired individual, they must provide proof of pension or other fixed income.
* If the applicant is an unemployed married adult, in addition to providing the spouse's proof of income, they must also provide a notarized marriage certificate legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Medical Insurance Policy [Original]
The insurance coverage must be valid for the Schengen Area and the destination country; the insurance validity period must cover the entire duration of the applicant's actual stay in the Schengen Area.
Helpful Tips
When purchasing insurance, ensure that the applicant's basic information on the policy is correct and that the validity period covers the travel dates. If the insurance policy is in electronic format, the applicant must print it in color.
5. Passport
The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure and contain at least 2 blank visa pages. Non-Chinese applicants must hold a Chinese residence permit that remains valid after their return to China.
* If you have held previous passports, please provide the original old passport along with clear copies of all visa pages.
Helpful Tips
Along with the original passport, you must provide two copies of the passport's information page + the signature page, as well as a clear copy of all previous visa pages.
7. Marriage Certificate
◆ If the applicant is applying alone, there is no need to provide a marriage certificate.
◆ If spouses are applying together and both have submitted employment verification letters, then the original and a copy of the marriage certificate are required.
◆ If spouses are applying together and one party cannot provide an employment verification letter, a notarized marriage certificate legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required, along with the original marriage certificate.
8. Identity Card
Copies of both sides of the identity card must be printed on the same sheet of paper, and the original must also be submitted.
9. Household Registration (Hukou)
Applicants must provide the original Household Registration book and clear copies of all pages containing information.
10. Company Business License (Duplicate)
This document must be from the same company as the provided employment verification letter; applicants must provide a copy of the valid business license (duplicate), which must feature the latest annual inspection stamp and the company's official seal.
11. Organization Code Certificate
If available and easy to provide, please submit a copy with the company's official seal. If the applicant works for an institution without a business license, such as a government body, school, or hospital, the organization code certificate must be provided.
Additional Documents Required if Accompanied by Children
1. Student ID
The original and a copy of the child's valid student ID must be provided. If this is unavailable, the parents must provide an explanation letter in English stating the reason.
2. Enrollment Certificate
The enrollment certificate must be on official school letterhead, including the complete school address, phone number, the applicant's name, admission date, and approved leave dates. Please provide one copy each in Chinese and English, stamped with the school's official seal and signed by the issuer.
3. Letter of Consent
When a minor is applying alone, it must be issued by both parents or legal guardians; when a minor is applying with only one parent, it must be issued by the non-traveling parent or guardian. This requires notarization and legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Proof of Kinship
Proof of kinship requires notarization and legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
5. Parents' Bank Statements and Employment Verification
Include copies of the bank statements and employment verification of the father and/or mother who is applying for the visa with the child, and place these in the child's application documents.