National Long-Stay (Type D)Verified 2026-04-30Greece Long-Term National D Visa (>90 days) — Informational
The Greece Long-Term National D Visa allows entry and stay in Greece for more than 90 days — typically for employment, study, academic research, family reunification, or participation in cultural / scientific / religious events. Holders have an OBLIGATION to apply for a Greek residence permit immediately after entry to Greece. Apply via GVCW; the Embassy of Greece, New Delhi processes everything.
Reply within 5 minutes · No obligation · 4.9★ from 83 verified Google reviews
Govt-Licensed
License No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · DM Patiala
4.9 ★ Google Rating
83 verified client reviews
Registered Company
CIN U52291PB2024PTC060508
Patiala, Punjab
In-person office · Walk in any day
SureshotVisa can assist with the India-side documentation and apostille (PCC + educational + civil documents) but the underlying employment / study / residency approval is initiated by the Greek sponsor (employer / university / family member). Type D visa-holders must apply for a residence permit in Greece immediately after arrival — that's a separate process handled by Greek migration authorities.
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
Variable — depends on Greek-side approval (Family Reunification, Employment, Study)
Stay Duration
>90 days. Holder must apply for a residence permit in Greece immediately after entry. Renewable from within Greece based on the underlying permit.
Starting Fee
Confirm at the Embassy
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Greece visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Type D applications cannot be initiated from India alone. The Greek sponsor / employer / university / family member triggers the underlying approval.
- 2Passport must be valid for at least 1.5 years (1 year and 6 months) from date of submission.
- 3Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) MUST be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs, India — affixed with the MEA Apostille Sticker. Must be NOT older than 3 months at submission.
- 4ALL educational, personal, and commercial documents must be apostilled by MEA, Government of India.
- 5After arrival in Greece, holder must apply for a residence permit immediately — separate process via Greek migration.
- 6Sri Lanka and Nepal nationals must apply through GVCW Colombo or Kathmandu, not India centres.
Who Can Apply
- Indian nationals with confirmed Greek sponsor — employer, university, family member, or research institution
- Family reunification cases (spouse / child / dependent of Greek resident)
- Students enrolled in long Greek courses / programmes
- Employment visa holders with Greek labour authority approval
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone without a Greek sponsor or approval
- Short-term travellers (≤90 days) — apply for Type C instead
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Greece Long-Term National D visa fee | Confirm at the Embassy |
| MEA Apostille fee (per document) | ₹50 + service charge |
| GVCW service fee | Confirm at submission |
Long-Term D fees vary by sub-category and are not uniformly published. Confirm directly with the Embassy of Greece, New Delhi. Apostille fees are separate. After arrival, the Greek residence-permit fee applies separately and is paid in Greece.
Documents Required
Greek-Side Approval (REQUIRED FIRST)
- !Employer / university / family-sponsor approval from Greek authority
Triggered by the Greek-side sponsor. Without this, Type D entry visa cannot be issued. Specifics depend on sub-category (Family Reunification, Employment, Study).
Personal Documents (apostilled where applicable)
- !Schengen Visa Application Form
Fully completed and signed by the applicant.
- !Valid passport
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 stamps
- ○Previous passport (if applicable)
- !1 recent passport-size photograph (3.5 x 4 cm)
Color, white background, facing forward, ICAO specifications. Note: 35x40mm — slightly different from typical Schengen 35x45mm.
- !Cover letter explaining details of visit
- !Passport with ≥1.5 year validity from submission date
Greece-specific Type D requirement (more stringent than Type C's 3-month rule).
- !Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — apostilled by MEA
Affixed with MEA Apostille Sticker. Issued NOT more than 3 months before submission.
- !Apostilled birth certificate
- ○Apostilled marriage certificate (if applicable)
Educational Documents (apostilled, if study visa)
- ○Apostilled educational certificates
All certificates apostilled by MEA.
- ○Acceptance / admission letter from Greek institution
Sponsor / Purpose-Specific Documents
- ○Employment contract / job offer (Employment visa)
On Greek employer letterhead.
- ○Family relationship proof + Greek family member's residence proof (Family Reunification)
Travel & Accommodation
- !Proof of means of transport
Flight reservation of return / round ticket. If multi-Schengen trip: intra-Schengen flight, train, or car-rental proof.
- !Proof of lodging
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 coverage
From Greek-Embassy-approved Indian insurer (post-01/10/2013). Covers repatriation + medical attention + emergency hospital. Diplomatic passport holders exempt.
Financial Documents
- !Original private bank statement — last 3 months
Duly stamped and signed by the bank.
- !Indian ITR for last 2 assessment years
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
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Greek sponsor initiates the underlying permit
Your Greek employer / university / family member secures the relevant authorisation from Greek migration / labour authorities. This step happens entirely in Greece.
Receive Greek-side approval letter
Once approved, the Greek sponsor sends you the approval. This triggers the Indian-side paperwork.
Apostille all required documents (via MEA / VFS Attestation)
PCC, birth certificate, educational certificates, marriage certificate (where applicable) — all apostilled by MEA. PCC must be NOT older than 3 months at submission.
Confirm passport validity ≥1.5 years
Renew passport if needed before submission — Greece is strict on this.
Book GVCW appointment for Type D visa
Apply at GVCW (NOT VFS). Submit at GVCW Delhi when possible to avoid 5-day non-Delhi transit.
Submit at GVCW + pay fees
Attend in person with the Greek approval, all apostilled documents, passport with adequate validity, and INR fees. Diplomatic passport holders submit at the Embassy directly.
GVCW forwards to Embassy of Greece, New Delhi
GVCW Delhi forwards to Embassy. Non-Delhi GVCW centres add ~5 calendar days transit.
Wait for the decision
Type D timeline varies by sub-category. Once issued, the Type D entry visa is valid 90 days from issue — you must enter Greece within that window.
Apply for residence permit immediately on arrival in Greece
Type D holders MUST apply for a Greek residence permit at Greek migration authorities right after entry. Underlying permit (work / study / family) then takes effect.
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 VFS Switzerland page
- 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
💡 Pro Tips
- Start MEA apostille paperwork the moment your Greek sponsor confirms — apostille turnarounds are 2–4 weeks.
- PCC validity is only 3 months at submission — time it carefully so it doesn't expire.
- Confirm passport ≥1.5 year validity BEFORE submission. Renew well in advance if needed.
- Family Reunification cases: get the Greek family member's residence permit copy attested in Greece if possible.
- Plan for the residence-permit step in Greece — it's separate from the Type D visa process and starts on arrival.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.PCC expired (>3 months old) at submission
- 2.Passport validity less than 1.5 years
- 3.Educational documents not apostilled
- 4.Greek-side approval not in hand at GVCW submission
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Greece Type D process work?+
Why does Greece require Apostille from MEA for PCC and educational docs?+
What's special about the passport requirement?+
Can SureshotVisa help with Greece Type D Long Stay?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Greece visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
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.
Greece 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).
Greece 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.
Greece 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).
Greece 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.
Greece 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.
Greece 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.
Greece 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).
Source & 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.