Study Abroad in Greece
Student Visa Materials
Here are the steps that I took to obtain my Greek student visa in 2016 for a semester study abroad in Greece:
Two or Three months Prior to Departure: Get your fingerprints taken.
Usually, your local police department or campus police can do this.
You can either send your fingerprints to the FBI for a background check, or you can use this service: http://www.myfbireport.com.
Personally, I used the service because I didn’t want to deal with the FBI application. My friend, who did work with the FBI to get his background check, had to resubmit it two or three times. Also, you have to submit the paperwork for the FBI a lot further ahead than you do if you use the service. Since I’m a natural procrastinator, I needed something that was guaranteed to be quick and easy.
If you use the service, you will submit your email and they forward you the application materials. In an envelope, you send the service your fingerprints, the completed application and a credit card authorization. As of 2016, the service cost approximately $40.
I received my background check about two weeks after sending it.
Usually, your local police department or campus police can do this.
You can either send your fingerprints to the FBI for a background check, or you can use this service: http://www.myfbireport.com.
Personally, I used the service because I didn’t want to deal with the FBI application. My friend, who did work with the FBI to get his background check, had to resubmit it two or three times. Also, you have to submit the paperwork for the FBI a lot further ahead than you do if you use the service. Since I’m a natural procrastinator, I needed something that was guaranteed to be quick and easy.
If you use the service, you will submit your email and they forward you the application materials. In an envelope, you send the service your fingerprints, the completed application and a credit card authorization. As of 2016, the service cost approximately $40.
I received my background check about two weeks after sending it.
.Two Months Prior to Departure: Gather materials and schedule appointments.
1.) Depending on where your consulate is, you will either call or email to schedule an appointment with your consulate. More information can be found here: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/about-us.html.
Make sure that when you call you specify when you want your appointment: no more than one month before your departure and no less than two weeks before your departure.
2.) I would also recommend scheduling an appointment with your health center or family doctor to do the tests necessary for the medical certificate: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/images/stories/washington/medical_certificate_for_d_visa_spec1-1.doc.
3.) Buy your ticket – round trip. You can do this any time prior to your meeting with the consulate, but make sure that your ticket is round trip to and from Greece. The consulate will check to make sure you're leaving the country.
1.) Depending on where your consulate is, you will either call or email to schedule an appointment with your consulate. More information can be found here: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/about-us.html.
Make sure that when you call you specify when you want your appointment: no more than one month before your departure and no less than two weeks before your departure.
2.) I would also recommend scheduling an appointment with your health center or family doctor to do the tests necessary for the medical certificate: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/images/stories/washington/medical_certificate_for_d_visa_spec1-1.doc.
3.) Buy your ticket – round trip. You can do this any time prior to your meeting with the consulate, but make sure that your ticket is round trip to and from Greece. The consulate will check to make sure you're leaving the country.
One Month to Two Weeks Prior to Departure: Visit with the consulate.
Papers Submitted to the Consulate During the In-Person Meeting
1.) Your passport
2.) A 2x2 color photograph attached to your application (I got mine taken at Walgreens) 3.) The completed application form – linked here: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/images/stories/washington/Application_for_a_VISA_for_a_long_stay_in_Greece.pdf 4.) The acceptance letter from the school or program you will be attending in Greece (mine was mailed to my university and was written entirely in Greek) 5.) The completed medical certificate – linked here: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/images/stories/washington/medical_certificate_for_d_visa_spec1-1.doc 6.) Your background check 7.) Travel insurance (mine came through my university) 8.) A signed affidavit, in which your parent(s) agree that they will cover your financial expenses during your studies in Greece (my mom hand wrote a note on a piece of computer paper, walked it up to the bank and had it notarized, stamped and signed by one of the bankers) 9.) Your parent(s)’s bank statements (it is not clearly listed on the Greek website, but you need three months of your parent’s bank statements – the record of transactions is not necessary) 10.) Two years of W2 forms for your parent(s) |
These materials are all listed here: http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/services/services-for-non-greeks/visa-section.html
However, the link above does not provide a detailed or clear description of everything necessary for the meeting with the consulate. I've included my own additions to the list below.
However, the link above does not provide a detailed or clear description of everything necessary for the meeting with the consulate. I've included my own additions to the list below.
You will also need these materials for your consulate meeting:
11.) Cash (when I obtained my visa it was $95.40 – exact change is much appreciated)
12.) A self-addressed envelop from FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. Note, you cannot use a regular envelope or manila envelope – I had to return to the consulate building after my meeting with a UPS envelope because I had only brought a regular manila one with me. (This is required because they will keep your passport and mail it back to you with your visa) 13.) Your printed itinerary (This is why your plane ticket needs to be round trip! You must prove when you are entering and exiting Greece) |
Other Notes
You must appear in person to submit your visa materials. However, don’t be overwhelmed. The consulate I met with was extremely easy going!
If you come from a single parent home, or even if you don’t, you only need to submit the bank statements, W2 forms and a signed affidavit from one parent.
If you forget anything from the lists above, don’t stress yourself out too much. You should be able to email your consulate the documents you forgot. Just make sure to get his or her email before leaving the building.
You must appear in person to submit your visa materials. However, don’t be overwhelmed. The consulate I met with was extremely easy going!
If you come from a single parent home, or even if you don’t, you only need to submit the bank statements, W2 forms and a signed affidavit from one parent.
If you forget anything from the lists above, don’t stress yourself out too much. You should be able to email your consulate the documents you forgot. Just make sure to get his or her email before leaving the building.
To read more about how I obtained my Greek visa, check out my Travel Blog. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via the contact form at the top of my web page. I would be happy to answer any questions about my experience.