GREECE. Issuing Authorities

Transcription

1 GREECE Issuing Authorities a) Greek Consulate-General, Fortune Kunene House, 261 Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196 PO Box 2405, HOUGHTON, Tel: (011) Fax: (011) O/hrs: Mon - Fri: 09h00-12h30 Wed. closed for visa applications & collections. b) Greek Embassy, 1267 Pretoria Street, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: /2/3 Fax: grconpta@gobal.co.za O/hrs: Mon - Fri: 09h00-13h00 Wed: Closed Please note that the visa department of the Embassy has closed. c) Greek Consulate, 9th Fl., Reserve Bank Building 30 Hout St., Cape Town, 8001 PO Box 3232 Cape Town Tel: Fax: : grconcpt@mweb.co.za O/hrs: Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri: Visas Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri: Consular Matters Wed: Closed Page 1 of 9

2 Visa Requirements Visas are required by South African passport holders. Foreign passport holders with Permanent Residence Status in South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland must ensure that their PERMANENT RESIDENCE IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR OLD. The Greek Consulate in Durban, has closed. KZN applicants to apply through VFS Durban. REQUIREMENTS: See General Schengen Requirements for terms and conditions of a Schengen short stay visa and application procedures for multi-destinations. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING : VFS GLOBAL no longer accepts visa applications on behalf of the Embassy of Greece in South Africa. For all visa queries regarding Greece, please call the Embassy direct or GVCW on between and 1330 and JNB: 2 nd Floor Harrow Court, 11 Boundary Road, Houghton, JNB CPT 47 Strand Street, 5 th Floor, Cape Town DUR Unit 101A, 1 st Floor, Cowey Road, Essenwood DUR NOTE: Please note that in addition to the standard Schengen visa requirements: When travelling with a family, please submit a copy of flight reservation and insurance with each application, remaining documents may be submitted with the main application. If passenger is a pensioner: A letter confirming proof of pensioner status to be submitted. Applicants must apply personally for visa. (if unable to apply in person, an arrangement can be made through the Embassy/Consulate concerned) The Greek Issuing Authority will refuse to grant a visa if the application form is incorrect or incomplete. Should an applicant be refused a visa, the administrative fees for processing the visa will not be refunded. Further documents may be requested from the passenger. Visa applications will not be accepted if submitted longer than 3 months before departure. 2 colour photos are required for Greece. DEFINITELY NO EMERGENCY VISAS WILL BE ISSUED Transit visa application can only be accepted if visas to other countries to be visited or transited Page 2 of 9

3 have already been obtained. Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are no longer valid. Page 3 of 9

4 Visa Processing Time Visas can take up to 15 days to process. In order to collect visas, messengers must produce receipt/collection slip issued by Consular offices. The Greek issuing authorities may refuse to grant a visa if the application form is incorrect or incomplete for a second time. Check visa details on delivery. In case of disagreement please make immediate contact. The consulate retains the right to issue visas of a different type or duration than those required in the application form. If the applicant does not inform the consulate, he/she has to conform to the specifications of the visa as it is issued. Page 4 of 9

5 Visa Cost (CASH ONLY) Due to the fluctuating exchange rate please contact the Embassy/Consulate for the cost on the day of submitting the visa. A visa fee of 60 EUROS must be submitted with the application for the following: Transit visa: one/two entries, up to 4 nights or 5 days at each entry Tourist visa: one/two or multiple entries, 5 days up to 1 month Tourist visa: one/two entries, 5 days up to 3 months Multiple visa: multiple entries, up to 3 months NB: it is advisable to apply for a multiple entry visa (30-90 days) unless entering one Schengen country once. Page 5 of 9

6 SA Representative South African Embassy, 60 Kiffisias Ave.,15125, Athens, Greece Tel: Page 6 of 9

7 Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio Often regarded as the birthplace of European civilization, Greece offers a mix of ancient archaeological sites, modern hotels, rustic tavernas, family-orientated seaside resorts and lively night clubs. Do not miss the Hellenic Festival in Jun-Sep, which sees music, dance and theatre performances held in the second-century AD Odeion of Herodes in Athens. There is a beach for every preference, for the family, for singles, for nudists, for sun worshippers. Sail Greece's myriad islands. Depending on experience, visitors can go bareboat (chartering just the boat), flotilla (as part of a group of yachts lead by an expert) or skippered. Several tour operators and independent companies offer allinclusive sailing holidays in Greece. The shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece offer excellent facilities for waterbased adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Sea-kayaking is also becoming increasingly popular on the islands. Formal Name: Local Name: Local Formal Name: Capital: Currency: Language: Hellenic Republic Ellás Elliniki Dhimokratia Athens (ATH) Euro (EUR) Greek. English, French, German and Italian may be spoken in the tourism industry. Dialling code from SA: + 30 Time Zones: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) Daylight Savings Time: From last Sun in March to last Sun in Oct: UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa) Public Holidays 2018: Jan 1, 6; Feb 19, Mar 25; Apr 6, 8, 9; May 1, 28; Aug 15; Oct 28; Dec 25, 26 Page 7 of 9

8 Side of the Road: Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Right. June August. Late Spring (April May) and Autumn (Late August September) are good months to visit if you want to enjoy the warm weather but miss the crowds. Mediterranean Beaches, Historic Sightseeing, UNESCO World Heritage Sites 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, and on the islands, water may be contaminated and bottled water should be used. Healthcare facilities in Athens are good, but less so elsewhere. If visiting outside of Athens, and you require any medication on your travels, it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Visitors are required to pay for healthcare services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended, and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. Note that there are reports of underhanded dealings by healthcare professionals, particularly in public hospitals. Normal social courtesies. If visiting a church, dress should be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered. Attempts at speaking the language / greeting in the language will be appreciated. Indecent behaviour and public drunkenness is not tolerated and will be fined. Identification should be carried at all times. Smoking is prohibited in public areas. If you will be driving, be sure to know and follow the traffic regulations, as fines will be issued for disobeying them. Greece has very strict laws against drug use. Page 8 of 9

9 Travel Tips / Warnings: Duty Free: When travelling in Greece, you are protected by the Greek consumer protection law (read more). Strikes can inconvenience travellers, but are usually nonviolent. However it is advisable to avoid areas where there are protests. Some restaurants and stores may not accept credit cards, be sure to carry cash. Most street signs are in Greek and English. Public transport may be preferable to driving on Greek roads. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 400 cigarillos or 1kg of tobacco 10L of spirits (over 22%), 20L of spirits (under 22%), 90L of wine and 110L of beer If you're arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Greece by travellers over 17 years of age: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco (if arriving by air) 40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g of tobacco (if arriving by other means) 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of spirits up to 22% volume 4L of wine 16 L of beer 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de cologne Gifts up to a value of 430 if arriving by sea or air or 300 if arriving by other means (reduced to 150 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: The import of soil (as well as plants) and certain animals is restricted. The import of meat, meat products, milk and milk products from outside the EU is also restricted. Firearms, explosive and drugs are very tightly controlled. Page 9 of 9