Greece Embassy in Johannesburg- 6 Steps to Apply For a Schengen Visa

Greece Embassy in Johannesburg South Africa can process visa applications to Passports though some covid restrictions apply. South African citizens need to check latest information on who can enter Greece and travel accordingly with a valid Schengen visa. Greece Embassy in Johannesburg is one of the foreign representations who can issue a Schengen visa. Greece is one of the 26 member Schengen country based on the Schengen agreement. The Global Visa Center World (GVCW) Visa Application Centers for Greece are authorized by the Diplomatic and Consular Authorities of Greece in the Republic of South Africa to collect visa applications on their behalf. The VACs for Greece are only responsible for collecting/ retrieving visa applications, and play no part in the decision making process of visa applications. This blog explains in detail on how to apply for a Schengen visa at Greece Embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Who can Apply Tourist Visa from Greece embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Visa applicants who reside near Johannesburg, who apply a visa to travel to Greece as the sole or main destination, can be addressed either to the Global Visa Center World visa application center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Travelers with South Africa Visit visas are not eligible to apply and they need to apply from their home country.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in South Africa can present a justification for lodging an application in South Africa rather than in their country of residence. Greece Embassy in Johannesburg has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

Greece Embassy in Johannesburg has now outsourced all visa processing to Global Visa Center World and they will process visa application for Greece Schengen visa.

Greece Embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Address

Fortune Kunene House, 261 Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196 Johannesburg

Timings: Monday to Friday: 08:30-01:30 pm

Phone: (0027) 11 2142300

Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Website: www.mfa.gr/johannesburg

Map for Greece embassy in Johannesburg

At the Global Visa Center World (GVCW) Greece Visa Application Center Johannesburg, South Africa

Address

Isle of Houghton Office Park, 2nd Floor, Harrow Court 1,

11 Boundary Road, Houghton,

Johannesburg, 2198, South Africa

View on Google maps ->

Timings: Monday – Friday 08:30-12:30 and 13:30-15:30

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +27 (0) 12 425 3018

Global Visa Center World (GVCW) visa application center at Johannesburg, accepts visa applicants with appointment to prevent delays and avoid waiting times. All appointments will be scheduled from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Visa Application Fee Structure for Greece Embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Greece embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Visa fee can be paid in in local currency South African Rand (ZAR) at the conversion rate set by the Greece authorities and which therefore varies to take account of exchange rate fluctuations.

Service Fees:

The cost of the Global Visa Center World (GVCW) service fees is determined at visa application center. There is a Service Fee of ZAR 400 (inclusive of VAT) applicable per application over and above the Consular Visa Fees for all applications. Applicants lodging the visa application at the Visa Application Center for Greece can pay using credit card/debit card or with bank deposit (before visiting the Visa Application Center for Greece).

Bank Name: Nedbank
Account Name: Euro World
Account Number: 1050318277
Branch Code: 146905 or 198765 (Universal Code)
Branch Name: Business Banking North Rand
Swift Code: NEDSZAJJ
Reference: Passport Number

Schengen Visa Application Processing time

The Embassy of Greece processes Schengen visa applications within 15 -30 calendar days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

Schengen Visa Types issued by Greece Embassy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

• Visiting Greece- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
• Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
• Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
• Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
• Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments
• Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
• Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
• Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person

Can Schengen Visa be Used for Single Entry or Multiple Entry?

Consulates offer Schengen visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from Greece Embassy in Johannesburg

Applying for Schengen Visa is a simple and quick process if you prepare documentation carefully. If you follow steps below you can apply visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for consulate to process your application

Step 1: Choose right visa category and Complete Schengen visa application

Applying for a Greece Schengen Visa, your main destination should be Greece. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to Greece. Fill the Schengen visa form online by creating an account if you don’t have it. Print the completed form and attach a photo. Note You will need to bring the printed application along with the requisite supporting documents to the Visa application center for Greece.

Step 2: Prepare for supported documents

One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

1. Passport size photo
2. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
3. Schengen Visa application form
4. Copy of a round trip confirmed booking/flight reservation
5. Invitation letter
6. Proof of accommodation
7. Travel/Health/Accident Insurance Policy
8. Proof of Financial subsistence
9. Proof of legal residence
10. Employment certificate
11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

Step 3: Make an appointment with the Greece Visa Application center, Johannesburg

Create a Global Visa Center World account by entering your personal email address and password using Book an appointment link. Fill the requested personal data. If you are part of a group of people applying for a visa, please also enter the data of those accompanying you and proceed to validate the group. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience to attend visa interview at Visa application Center for Greece, Johannesburg, South Africa. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area.

Step 4: Attend Schengen Visa Interview at Greece Visa Application Center in Johannesburg

Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

Go to Visa application center for Greece in Johannesburg, South Africa on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on consulate requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application

Step 5: Processing the visa Application

At Global Visa Center World (GVCW) center, you will be taken care of by an agent who will check that all the documents necessary for your application are present in your file. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Consulate.

If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the Consulate General of Greece, you can:

• Request the shipment despite everything the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the Consulate;
• Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

If you decide to send your file to the Consulate, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the GVCW.

Step 6: Return of Passport

You can track the progress of your application using track visa application online. Applicants can use the Application ID issued by the Visa Application Centre for Greece along with your Date Of Birth to access this service. Once your visa application is decided by the Consulate General of Greece, your passport will be returned to the GVCW or have your documents returned to you by courier (if offered by the Visa Application Centre) for an additional fee.  You will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.

What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose
• No travel medical insurance covering trip
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Did not provide proof of accommodation
• Missing documents

If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection

Sum Up:

Apply Schengen Visa process at Greece Embassy in Johannesburg South Africa is simple and you need to work with Global Visa Center World (GVCW) to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter Greece and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure.