While Greece is a great place for an extended holiday, getting a Greece visa extension for Indians is not easy. It is only granted under specific circumstances.
Let’s dive deep into understanding the Greece tourist visa extension for Indians. It’s eligibility criteria, the application process, and the documents needed for an extension.
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Types of Greece Visa Extension
When it comes to Greece visa extension for Indian travelers, you must understand which types of Schengen visas are eligible for extension:
- Standard Visa (Type C): This visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days and is eligible for extension under exceptional circumstances.
- Multiple-Entry Visas: These allow multiple entries into the Schengen Area and are only extended under exceptional cases.
- Transit Visas: These are generally not extendable.
Here are the acceptable reasons for Greece visa extensions for Indians:
- Force majeure events
- Humanitarian grounds
- Personal reasons
- Medical emergencies
Suggested Read: How to Book Greece Visa Appointment
Greece Visa Extension Fees
Here are the Greece visa extension fees for Indians:
| Visa Type | Age | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Schengen Visa (Type C) | Adult | €30 for first extension, €60 for subsequent ones |
| Children (6-12 years) | €30 for first extension, €60 for subsequent ones |
|
| Children (below 6 years) | Free | |
| Multiple-Entry Visa | Adult | €30 for first extension, €60 for subsequent ones |
| Children (6-12 years) | €30 for first extension, €60 for subsequent ones |
|
| Children (below 6 years) | Free |
Are You Eligible for Greece Visa Extension?
To be eligible for a Greece visa extension for Indian citizens, you must meet specific criteria under one of these categories:
- Validity: Apply for the extension before your current visa expires. Post-expiry applications are not accepted.
- Motive/Purpose: Extensions are only granted for unforeseen reasons, such as force majeure events, medical emergencies, or humanitarian grounds. Tourism or casual personal reasons are not valid.
- Compliance with Visa Conditions: You must have adhered to all visa rules, including not working or engaging in activities outside the visa’s scope.
- Health Conditions: If a certified medical officer confirms that a serious illness or injury makes you unfit for travel, you may apply for an extension.
- Sufficient Funds & Travel Insurance: Demonstrate enough financial means to support yourself during your extended stay and have valid travel health insurance for the duration.
- No Previous Visa Issues: A history of visa refusals, overstays, or cancellations can negatively impact your eligibility.
- Location: You must apply at the local authorities in Greece, such as a police station or immigration office. In-person applications and interviews may be needed.
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Documents Required for Greece Visa Extensions
Here’s a list of commonly required Greece visa extension documents for Indians:
- Completed and signed visa extension application form
- Valid passport with 3 months remaining validity
- Your existing Greece visa and entry stamps
- Recent passport-sized photographs per Schengen visa guidelines
- Bank statements to cover your extended stay
- Valid travel health insurance to cover the entire extension duration
- Documents to prove your reason for extension, such as medical reports for health issues, death certificates for bereavements, or official statements for force majeure events
- Proof of accommodation, like hotel bookings or rental agreements
- Confirmed flight reservation for your revised return journey
Suggested Read: How to Check Greece Visa Status
How to Apply for a Greece Visa Extension
The Greece visa extension process for Indians involves applying to the local immigration authorities in Greece.
Online Application
There is no option for a completely online Greece visa extension application for Indians.
Offline Application
The exact process may vary by location but generally involves these steps:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for a visa extension and gather all required documents.
Step 2: Visit the nearest immigration office and inform them of your intention to apply for an extension.
Step 3: Fill out the application form accurately and gather any required paperwork.
Step 4: Submit your complete application, supporting documents, and applicable fees.
Step 5: Attend an in-person interview if requested.
Step 6: Wait for the authorities’ decision. Processing times can vary.
You must apply in person at the relevant local authorities in Greece, such as:
- Athens: Aliens & Immigration Department, Petrou Ralli 24, Athens 177 78
- Thessaloniki: Directorate of Aliens & Immigration, Taki Ikonomidi 1, Thessaloniki 546 55
- Patra: Aliens Department of Achaia, Kanakari 36, Patra 262 21
- Heraklion: Aliens Department of Heraklion, Eleftherias Square, Heraklion 712 01
- Rhodes: Aliens & Immigration Department, Papanikolaou 2, Rhodes 851 00
Greece Visa Extension Processing Time & Next Steps
The processing time for a Greece visa extension for Indians is 2-4 weeks after submitting your application.
While your extension request is being processed, you can remain in Greece but not travel to other Schengen countries until a decision is made.
If your existing visa expires before you receive the extension, you can usually stay legally until the authorities decide, as long as you apply before the original expiry date.
If it is denied, you must leave Greece and the Schengen Area before your current visa expires to avoid any penalties or negative records.
FAQs
1. Can I extend my Greece tourist visa from India?
No, you must apply for a Greece tourist visa extension for Indians from Greece. In-person applications at the local immigration office are mandatory.
2. How long does a Greece visa extension take?
Greece visa extension timeline for Indians varies, but decisions usually come within 2-4 weeks of application.
3. What happens if my Greece visa extension is denied?
If your Greece visa extension is rejected, you must exit Greece and the Schengen Area immediately.
4. Can I travel within the Schengen Area while my Greece visa extension is processing?
No, you cannot visit other Schengen countries until a decision is made on your Greece visa extension application for Indians. You must await the decision in Greece.
5. How many times can I extend my Greece tourist visa?
There is no fixed limit on how many times you can apply for a Greece visa extension for Indian travelers.
6. Can I extend a multiple-entry Greece visa?
Yes, multiple-entry Greece visas can be extended under the same conditions as single-entry ones. The key factor is the circumstances’ unavoidability, not the number of entries allowed.
7. My Greece visa expires soon. Can I apply for an extension?
The Greece visa extension for Indians is rare. Here are the acceptable reasons for Greece visa extensions for Indians:
- Force majeure events
- Humanitarian grounds
- Personal reasons
8. What are the common reasons for Greece visa extension rejection?
A Greece visa extension for Indians may be denied because:
- The reason is tourism or leisure
- They find inconsistencies in your application
- There are concerns about your intention to leave Greece
- Error in your documents
