Greece Work Visa, Processing Time, Visa Fees  

Greece work visa application

See below to know how you should apply for a Greece work visa:

Step 1. Find a job offer from a Greek employer

The first step to applying for a Greece work visa is to find a job offer from an employer. Next, applicants have to find a Greek employer who is willing to hire them via employment agencies or online websites.

When you find an employer, you need to sign a work contract that explains the terms of employment and income.

Step 2. Greek employer applies for a work permit

The Greek employer applies to the Decentralized Administration of the city they live in. The employer needs the following to apply for the work permit:

• A valid work contract of at least one year
• A tax certificate

If the maximum number of non-EU employees allied to hire is not full, the Secretary-General of the Decentralized Administration approves the work permit.

When the officials approve the employment, they will send it to the Greek embassy or consulate where the employee is located. The employee can now apply to the embassy for a work visa to enter the country.

Step 3. Complete the application form.

Complete both sections of the form. The first section comprises questions about your personal information, while the second section has questions about the objective of your application.

Step 4. Gather the requirements

Look at the section above to know the list of requirements for a Greece work visa. You need to gather and submit it to the embassy.

Bear in mind that the work visa requirements might be a bit different than the work permit requirements.

The employer and employee need to keep in touch to exchange documents if needed.

Also, the Greek embassy could require further documents from the employee. He/she needs to be aware and prepared to submit everything.

Step 5. Schedule a visa interview meeting with the Greek embassy or consulate

Find the nearest Greek embassy in your home country and book a meeting with them. For instance, the Greek embassy in Pakistan is in Islamabad the capital city, and the embassy in Oman is located in Muscat city.

You have to go to the embassy in person on the scheduled date and bring the requirements. You should not be late for the meeting and not forget any piece document. Then, submit everything to the officials, pay the fees for visa processing and answer questions regarding working in Greece.

Step 6. Greek work visa processing

It takes time until the embassy issues the work visa and labels your passport with it. When it is ready, the embassy will inform you to get the visa or send it to your address. The way is up to the embassy.

Step 7. Apply for a residence permit upon arrival

When you move to Greece, you are required to apply for a residence permit. This can also be done through sponsorship by the employer. Before applying for a residence/work permit, you must obtain a tax identification number (AFM) from the local tax office, as well as a Social Security Number from the Social Security Institute (AMKA). It is possible to get a social security/AMKA number from the nearest Social Insurance office or Citizens Service office. Bear in mind that you have to do it within the first week or month of your arrival. The work visa is valid for a limited period of time, and the residence permit is valid for one year. You have to visit the Decentralized Administration in the city you live in and submit the requirements they need, and get the residence permit.

1. Take the original or notarized copies of the documents used to apply for your Greek D visa. They need to be submitted again.
2. Fill out the online application form for a residence permit.
3. Schedule an appointment.
4. Attend the interview, and answer some questions about your purpose for residing in Greece.
5. Submit your documents.

Interested in immigrating to Greece as a Software Engineer? Just click the link.

Greece work visa processing time

The processing time for a Greece work visa is up to different factors. First, you need to know that there are two processing times: a work permit and a work visa.

When the employer applies for a work permit in the country, it takes time until the officials to decide whether to issue it or not. This is the stage that takes longer, and you might have to wait up to two months.

The processing could take longer if the officials require further documents. Also, it takes some time for the employer and employee to prepare the documents and apply them to the authorities.

When the work permit gets issued, you need to apply for a work visa at the Greek embassy in your home country. You have to prepare the documents they want, schedule a meeting with the mand then wait until the visa gets issued.

The embassy stage processing time is up to the country you live in and the embassy’s workload.

So you can expect one to two months for the embassy stage as well. However, you can prepare documents in advance and double-check everything to ensure you won’t waste any time.

Greece work visa fees

A Greek work visa costs you 190-285 EUR. But the cost of a work permit is aside, and your employer needs to pay it.

The employee and employer need to agree on the costs.

How long is your Greece work visa valid?

The work visa is valid for a short period of time, and when you get to the country, you have to apply for a Residence permit.

The residence permit is valid for one or two years. However, you can extend it as long as you are qualified to stay in Greece.

Bear in mind that you have to renew your residence permit two months before the expiry date. If not, you have to pay a fine every month and might face some trouble along the way.

Visit the local Decentralized Administration center in your place of residence and ask for an extension. They will guide you on what to do and what documents to submit.

Can you change your employer in Greece?

Yes. You can change your employer and sign a new work contract with another greek employer. However, the new employment and contact must not interfere with the first employment and permit.

When the first work permit is about to expire, your new employer can apply for a new work permit. Then, you will be able to work for the new Greek employer.

Let’s sum up…

When non-EU nationals want to work in Greece, they need a work visa. This article explained how to apply for a Greece work visa and its requirements and answered the FAQs.

If you have questions regarding the Greece work visa, write them down in the comment section, and the Visa Library team will respond to them right away. We can help you to find valid information to receive your visa.

You can find out about other countries’ visas from the top menu as well.