Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visiting Family / Friends Verified 2026-04-30Greece Visiting Family & Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Greece Schengen visa for Indians visiting family or friends in Greece. Apply via GVCW (NOT VFS). Requires relationship proof and host invitation.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Greece visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Greece — Apply via GVCW (NOT VFS Global)
Greece uses Global Visa Centre World — a different operator from VFS. Embassy of Greece, New Delhi processes every application.
One Greece Schengen visa unlocks all 29 Schengen countries during validity. As a full Schengen member, the visa standards mirror EU rules — but the application route is unique to Greece in India: only GVCW handles submissions, and only the Embassy in New Delhi decides outcomes.
GVCW (not VFS)
Greece partners with Global Visa Centre World — separate from the VFS network most Indians know.
Embassy New Delhi only
All decisions made at Embassy of Greece, Consular Section, New Delhi. Non-Delhi GVCW centres add ~5 days transit.
Approved insurance only
Travel insurance MUST be from a Greek-Embassy-approved Indian insurer (rule since 01/10/2013).
Photo size note: Greece needs 3.5 × 4 cm (35×40mm) — slightly different from the typical Schengen 35×45mm. Use a Greek-spec photo to avoid rejection.
Processing
Up to 15 working days at the Embassy of Greece, New Delhi (Consular Section)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
₹9,760
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Greece visit visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Host's legal residence proof expired or unclear
Invitation letter missing dates or address
Insurance from non-approved insurer
Insufficient applicant funds (host's funds don't replace yours)
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Greece cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication.
Your whole Greece Visiting Family Friends Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Greece file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 92 reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹14,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Greece visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Greece visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Greece, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Greece after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Greece is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Greece), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Greece process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Greece visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Greece does NOT use VFS Global. Applications go through GVCW (Global Visa Centre World) — a separate operator. All applications are then assessed by the Embassy of Greece, New Delhi.
- 2Apply at least 15 working days before travel — earliest 6 months before travel (9 months for seafarers).
- 3If you submit at a GVCW centre OTHER than New Delhi, add approximately 5 extra calendar days to your processing timeline.
- 4Travel insurance must be from a Greek-Embassy-approved Indian insurer (rule effective since 01/10/2013) — see the GVCW approved insurers list.
- 5Photo size: 3.5 x 4 cm (35 x 40mm), color, white background, facing forward — slightly different from the typical 35x45mm Schengen photo.
- 6Holders of diplomatic / service / public-affairs passports submit directly at the Embassy / Consular Office in New Delhi, not via GVCW.
- 7All financial documents (bank statements, ITRs) must be ORIGINALS, duly stamped and signed by the issuing bank.
- 8Sri Lanka and Nepal nationals without a valid India residence permit MUST apply at GVCW Colombo or GVCW Kathmandu — not at India centres.
Who Can Apply
- Indians visiting family or friends legally residing in Greece
- Travellers with a confirmed host and proof of host's legal residence
Not eligible under this visa:
- Travellers without a host invitation
- Anyone whose host cannot prove legal residence in Greece
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Greece cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Greece / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen Short-Stay visa fee — adult (Type C, 1–90 days) | ₹9,760 |
| Schengen visa fee — child (6–12 years) | ₹4,880 |
| GVCW service fee | Confirm at submission |
Visa fees in INR follow the current exchange rate set by the Greek Embassy and may change without notice. Visa and service fees are non-refundable if the application is refused. Diplomatic passport holders are exempt from the visa fee. Insurance, courier, and other GVCW value-added services are charged separately at submission.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Personal Documents
6 items- Schengen Visa Application FormRequired
Fully completed and signed by the applicant.
- Valid passportRequired
Validity exceeding by 3 months the end date of the visa. At least 2 blank pages. Issued within the previous 10 years.
- Clear photocopy of 1st (bio data) and last page of passport + all visa stampsRequired
- Previous passport (if applicable)
- 1 recent passport-size photograph (3.5 x 4 cm)Required
Color, white background, facing forward, ICAO specifications. Note: 35x40mm — slightly different from typical Schengen 35x45mm.
- Cover letter explaining details of visitRequired
Travel & Accommodation
3 items- Proof of means of transportRequired
Flight reservation of return / round ticket. If multi-Schengen trip: intra-Schengen flight, train, or car-rental proof.
- Proof of lodgingRequired
Hotel reservations, holiday-home rental, or campus residence. Sponsorship/accommodation form from host if staying privately. If multi-state Schengen: lodging in EACH state.
- Travel medical insurance — €30,000 minimum coverageRequired
From Greek-Embassy-approved Indian insurer (post-01/10/2013). Covers repatriation + medical attention + emergency hospital. Diplomatic passport holders exempt.
Financial Documents
6 items- Original private bank statement — last 3 monthsRequired
Duly stamped and signed by the bank.
- Indian ITR for last 2 assessment yearsRequired
Acknowledgement receipts.
- If employed — Last 3 months payslips + employment contract + employer's leave-approval letter
- If self-employed — Certificate of company registration
- If sponsored — Sponsor's national-form proof of accommodation/sponsorship + sponsor's bank/work/ITR
- If retired — Pension statements last 3 months + property/business income proof
Host-Specific Documents
5 items- Invitation letter from family member / friend in GreeceRequired
Including host's address, contact details, and intended period of stay.
- Evidence of host's legal residence in GreeceRequired
Copy of host's passport / national ID / residence permit.
- Marriage certificate (if married)
Apostilled from MEA. Required if spouse name not endorsed in passport.
- Certificate proving family relationship (if visiting relatives)
E.g., birth certificate, family ID, etc.
- Copy of ration card
Relationship Proof (if applicable)
1 item- Spouse-name endorsement on passports OR original Marriage Certificate (apostilled by MEA)
Required when spouse travels together. If spouse name not endorsed in BOTH passports, apostilled marriage certificate is mandatory.
Minor-Specific Documents (if applicable)
3 items- Minor with one parent — Notarized consent of non-travelling parent / guardian
Plus copies of both parents' passports / IDs. Even if non-travelling parent has a valid Greek visa, notarized consent is still required.
- Minor travelling alone — Notarized consent of BOTH parents / guardians
- Birth certificate of applicant
Required when parent passport copies are not available — plus copies of both parents' ID cards.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
8 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Confirm Greece is your main Schengen destination
If your itinerary spends most time (or has its main purpose) in Greece, apply with Greece. If splitting time equally between Schengen states, apply through the country of first entry.
- 02
Fill the Schengen visa application form
Download from https://greece.gvcworld.eu/en/apply, complete fully, and sign.
- 03
Gather all required documents
Use the document checklist for your specific category. All financial documents must be ORIGINALS, stamped and signed by the issuing bank. Insurance must be from an approved Indian insurer.
- 04
Book your GVCW appointment (NOT VFS)
Visit https://greece.gvcworld.eu/en/ — Greece uses GVCW (Global Visa Centre World), not VFS Global. Choose your nearest centre.
- 05
Submit at GVCW + pay fees
Attend in person with all documents. Pay visa fee + GVCW service charge in INR (cash). Diplomatic passport holders submit at the Embassy directly, not GVCW.
- 06
GVCW forwards to Embassy of Greece, New Delhi
GVCW Delhi forwards directly to the Embassy. Non-Delhi GVCW centres first transit through GVCW Delhi (~5 extra calendar days), then to the Embassy the following day.
- 07
Wait for the decision (15–45 working days)
The Consular Authorities of Greece may call you for a personal interview. Track via GVCW website.
- 08
Collect your passport from GVCW
Once notified, collect from GVCW (or use GVCW courier-back service). Verify visa validity dates and entry type before leaving the counter.
What works
3 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Host's residence proof is the most-scrutinised document — confirm it's CURRENT and not expired.
- Specify dates, address, and host's relation in the invitation letter — vague invitations often get questioned.
- Even when hosted, attach your own travel insurance from an approved Indian insurer.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Host's legal residence proof expired or unclear
- 2Invitation letter missing dates or address
- 3Insurance from non-approved insurer
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Greece
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Greece Visiting Family & Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Two items: (1) the host's invitation letter with their address, contact details, and intended period of stay; (2) evidence of the host's legal residence in Greece — copy of passport, national ID, OR residence permit (current, not expired).
Yes. Both family and friend visits fall under this category. The paperwork is the same — just provide relationship proof if visiting blood relatives.
Yes. We coordinate with your host on invitation + residence proof, prepare your document pack, and handle GVCW submission. ₹499 consultation.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Greece visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Greece actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Typical result
~1 in 2 visitor files refused
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Greece file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Greece visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Greece visa — the easy way.
From first-time Greece visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Greece's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Greece Visa Types
Greece Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Greece Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) from India through GVCW (NOT VFS). Complete fees, document checklist, and processing guide for Indian travellers.
View guideGreece Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Greece Business Visa (Schengen Type C) from India through GVCW. For meetings, conferences, training, and business-related events. Apply via GVCW (not VFS).
View guideGreece Cultural Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Greece Schengen visa for Indians attending cultural events — performances, exhibitions, religious events, film crews. Apply via GVCW (not VFS).
View guideGreece Sports Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Greece Schengen visa for Indians participating in sporting events in Greece. Apply via GVCW (not VFS). Requires event invitation + entry tickets / programmes.
View guideGreece Official Delegation Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) — Informational
Greece Schengen visa for members of official delegations. Initiated via the sending authority's note verbale. Submitted directly at the Embassy, not GVCW.
View guideGreece Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Greece Schengen visa for Indians travelling for medical treatment. Apply via GVCW. Requires Greek institution acceptance + pre-payment proof.
View guideGreece Short-Term Study Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Greece Schengen visa for Indians attending short courses, research, or internships in Greece (≤90 days). Apply via GVCW (not VFS).
View guideGreece Airport Transit Visa (Schengen ATV) — Informational
Schengen Airport Transit Visa applies only to nationals of 13 specific countries. Indian citizens do NOT need an ATV for Greece. Informational guide.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Greece website and Embassy of Greece. Last verified 2026-04-30. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
Ready?
Want us to check your Greece visa case?
Share your travel purpose, employment/business profile, funds, and any previous refusal letter. We'll tell you honestly where your file stands.