Embassy of India, Athens, Greece : General Information for Visa Applicants

General Information for Visa Applicants

General Information

1. For travel to India, a regular (Paper Sticker) Visa OR an e-Visa, along with a valid passport (with minimum 06 months validity) is mandatory. Only categories exempted under bilateral arrangements may not need a visa. For persons of Indian origin (all categories), a valid OCI card along with a valid foreign passport is mandatory. Visa is not required for OCI Card holders.

2. e-Visa

Nationals of Greece and of other eligible countries (list of countries/nationalities eligible for e-Visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ) can also apply for e-Visa under the following categories only: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Conference, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, e-Ayush, e-Ayush Attendant, e-Emergency X-Misc. [e-Visa service is not availabe for Entry Visa, Transit Visa, Employment Visa, Student Visa and Journalist Visa].

Official website for e-Visa is: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

(WARNING: e-Visa applicants are cautioned against using any other website which may appear to represent the Government of India and only use the Government of India's official eVisa website)

From application to the issuance of visa, e-Visa application is a completely online procedure for which no facilitation from Embassy is required. Here are simple steps:

Apply for e-Visa and make payment of Visa Fee Online

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Check status online. Once the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive notification on registered email.

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The following may also be noted in this regard:

Passport used by the e-Visa applicant should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Though the entry into India is also allowed on a new passport, the traveller must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.

e-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.

e-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

e-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.

Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to indian-evisa@gov.in for any queries.

Once e-Visa is granted, take the print out of eVisa and check all the details on the e-Visa (including photo of the applicant and a unique QR Code) and read all the instructions carefully. Take this eVisa printout along with your passport to travel to India. At immigration counter, the immigration authority in India will paste a proper visa on the passport.

It may be noted that the Embassy does not process e-Visas and any enquiries in this regard need to be made directly on the e-visa portal. For e-Visa, there is no need to visit the Embassy. Service of e-Visa involves a completely online procedure for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact helpline number
+91-11-24300666 or send an email to indian-evisa@gov.in

3. Regular (Paper Sticker) Visa

Applicants can apply for a regular visa for all types of Visas. Regular Visa process involves online application and physical submission of papers.

How to Apply:

Apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

(WARNING: Regular Visa applicants are cautioned against using any other website which may appear to represent the Government of India and only use the Government of India's official Regular Visa website)

If you are applying for visa at Embassy of India, Athens, select Indian Mission: Athens.

Ensure all the fields of the visa application form are completely filled before submitting including your Greek and India reference contacts.

After completing the application form, print your application in PDF format. Registration is not limited to one application per person at any given time. If you have problems with retrieving your application in case of inaccuracies in your already registered application or need to change the purpose of your visit to India you can always re-register again.

Present the printed application form, along with 2 photographs (5 cm x 5 cm in dimension), original passport, visa fee and other relevant documents to the Embassy of India Athens.The application should be presented to the Embassy only after 24 hours of its registration online and within 30 days of its registration online. Please note that prior appointment is mandatory for submission of visa application at the Embassy. Appointment can be booked through email to cons.athens@mea.gov.in.

All Visa applicants including those applying for multiple entry Tourist and Business Visas are required to give their biometrics at the time of submission of their applications. Therefore, it is required for all applicants between 12 and 70 years old to personally submit their documents at the Embassy (Kleanthous 3, Athens) between 9:00 am and 11:00 am Monday to Friday (except holidays).

The Embassy will inform the applicant once the Visa is ready for collection. Original Passport along with the Visa may be collected between 15:30 hrs – 16:30 hrs on working days. Visa should be collected by the applicant with original receipt received from embassy. The applicant may also authorize someone to collect his/her passport by giving an authorization letter, (υπεύθυνη δήλωση) which is addressed to the Embassy of India, Athens, Greece, along with a copy of authorized person’s photo ID.

Please note that we have not authorised any outside agency/person to provide Visa services.

The Embassy has been receiving complaints that some private websites claim payment of visa fees on Embassy’s behalf. Please note that for regular visa, fees are to be paid only at the Embassy visa counters at the time of submission of visa application by debit/credit card payment.

4. Other important information/instructions for visa applicants:

a) When applying for an Indian visa, applicants are requested to disclose details of all passports (current/old) held by them. Failure to do so may result in rejection of their applications.

b) Applicants are requested to ensure details entered on the Visa application form must be exactly as in the Passport or else the visa application will be rejected.

c) Passport used by the applicant should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport must have at least three blank pages and should not be mutilated/damaged/tampered in any manner.

d) Suppression of facts and information will not only result in delay/ or denial of visa applied for but may debar the applicant from applying under this system in future.

e) Visa processing fees are not refundable irrespective of the outcome of the visa application and duration granted. Fee should be deposited only after ascertaining that all correct and relevant details are entered in the application form.

f) The acceptance of a visa application does not automatically guarantee grant of a visa. The visa application may be modified or refused by the Embassy at its discretion. Decision of the Embassy of India, Athens on the matter shall be final.

g) The duration and number of entries granted to the applicant will be solely at the discretion of Embassy. No claims and correspondences shall be entertained in this regard.

h) Visa is valid from the date of issue and not from the date of travel.

i) All Visa applicants including those applying for multiple entry Tourist and Business Visas are required to give their biometrics at the time of submission of their applications. Therefore, it is required for all applicants between 12 and 70 years old to personally submit their documents due to Biometrics (fingerprint) capture.

j) Minors (below 12 years of age) should be accompanied by one parent along with photocopy of parent’s Passport or National ID Card for official submission.

k) All documents prepared in foreign languages, including Greek language, required to be submitted by the applicants in support of their application(s), should be accompanied by their translation in English language, done by an authorized translator. List of authorized translators is available at https://metafraseis.services.gov.gr/ .

l) Foreign nationals in Greece having stay permit less than two years should apply for Employment / Business visa from their home country.

m) Foreign nationals in Greece intending to apply in Greece, clearance is to be obtained from the Indian Mission in their respective countries for grant of visa.

n) Applicants may be asked to furnish additional documents on case to case basis.

o) All applicants should check the details in their visas immediately on delivery/collection, and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the issuing authority without delay for rectification. Failing to do so, Embassy of India bears no responsibility for the consequences.

p) All travellers to India, especially long-term visa holders, are advised to check the latest immigration and entry regulations before travel. http://boi.gov.in/

q) Visitors to restricted/protected areas need special permits. For more information and the list of restricted/protected areas, kindly visit https://boi.gov.in/boi/public/pages/ea8303e5-a167-48cb-857a-31b475fe7575

Foreigners can visit restricted/prohibited areas only after getting a valid permit as visa alone is not enough to visit such places.

r) For Visa Queries/Grievances: e-mail: cons.athens@mea.gov.in

Tel: +30 210 7216481/6227 (ext: 30)

5. Refund Policy:

In case of over payment/excess payment of regular visa fee, the applicant can apply for refund of over payment/excess payment to the Consular Officer in the Embassy. No refund claim will be entertained after 3 months of such payment.

6. Registration of Foreign Nationals in India

Registration by foreign nationals is governed by the provisions in the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992 and instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India from time to time. The registration requirements are presently as follows:

There is no requirement of registration for a foreign national (Other than Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals) who enters India on a visa valid for a stay in India for a period of 180 days or less.
A foreign national who enters India on a visa valid for stay in India for a period of 180 days or less and who wishes to stay in India beyond the period of 180 days, is required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days after the expiry of 180 days of his arrival in India.
A foreign national who enters India on a visa valid for a stay in India for a period of more than 180 days is required to register with the FRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival in India.
For registration, the foreign nationals are required to submit the online application forms to the FRROs/FROs concerned under the C-FRO module. For more details, please visit: https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/

After the submission of the application online, the foreign national is required to personally appear before the FRRO/FRO concerned with all requisite documents.

The visa related request for the foreign national is then processed by the FRRO/FRO concerned and in all cases which are within their delegated powers, final decision is taken by them and the same is intimated to the foreign national concerned. In cases which are not within the delegated powers, the requests along with the report of the FRRO/FRO concerned are forwarded online to the Home Department of the State Government/UT Administration or Ministry of Home Affairs and the final decision is communicated by the competent authority to the FRRO/FRO concerned.

Foreign nationals are then required to visit the office of the FRRO/FRO concerned for getting the Registration Certificate or Residential Permit/endorsement on the Passport with reference to their specific requests.

7. Types of Visa

Visa Type	Eligibility
Tourist Visa	Tourist whose sole purpose of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit, meeting friends and relatives is granted Tourist Visa for the duration of the visit effective from the date of issue. Tourist Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. Journalists, press and media persons, editors, camerapersons, film/documentary directors/producers/editors going to India for tourism can only be granted Journalist Visa with Tourism Purpose. They should declare the purpose of their visit on a plain paper attached to the application form.
Business Visa	A Business Visa is given to those who are doing business in India such as making sales or establishing contacts on behalf of a company outside of India. Business visas may be valid for three months to one year or more with single or multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only.
Transit Visa	A transit visa is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. Change of purpose is not allowed. The visa will ordinarily be valid for a single journey and for entry within 15 days of date of issue. The Transit visa is valid for direct transit only for a maximum period of 3 days. For a stay in India beyond 3 days, an appropriate visa should be obtained. Transit Visa is also issued to join and sail with Vessel at an Indian Port.
Entry Visa	An Entry Visa is given for a specific purpose as decided by the Embassy. (short term courses and unpaid internships) or other non-business related purposes. Entry Visa is also issued to seamen going to Inspect / Attend vessel at Indian ports. Entry Visas is issued to Persons of Indian Origin, family members of Indian citizens and family members of foreign nationals employed in India. In the latter case, documents establishing the employment of the spouse along with a copy of his/her Employment visa must be attached. Registration is required within 14 days of arrival in India if the stay is more than 180 days.
Employment Visa	Employment visa is granted to a foreigner who wants to take up an employment in India. Visa is granted for the duration of the employment or to a maximum period of one year by the Embassy of India. Annual salary should be more than INR 16,25,000 per year (approx. US$ 19500 per year). Registration is required within 14 days of arrival if employment visa is for more than 180 days. Foreign nationals who wish to come to India for honorary work (without salary) with NGOs registered in India are granted employment visa for a one year duration. However foreign national can draw a monthly remuneration not exceeding Rs. 10000/- for honorary work. Further extension is only done by the state governments/Union Territories/Foreigners Regional Registration Office, and Foreigner's Registration Office. Extension of Employment Visa can only be done by the FRRO in India in the city where employed. Indian Embassy will not accept any applications for renewal of the Employment Visa unless the contract is with a new Company.
Student Visa	Student visas are given to Bonafide students to pursue regular studies at recognized educational institutions in India. Valid for the period of study as approved by the educational/recognized institution in India. Students sponsored by AIESEC for project based work in companies/industries are eligible for business visa and those going for community/social services are granted entry visa. Student visa is granted to students who have been admitted to Recognized Universities/Institutions in India to pursue the regular studies or to pursue the specific courses. The visa can be issued for the duration of course for a maximum period of 5 years. Normally for student visa the clearance from India is required, hence the applicants are advised to apply well in advance. Registration is required within 14 days of arrival in India, if period of stay is more than 180 days. Full time or part time employment is completely prohibited in case of a student visa.
Conference Visa	Conference visas are issued for attending conferences or seminars in India.
Medical Visa	A Medical visa is given to those who are travelling to India for a medical treatment. Registration is required within 14 days of arrival if visa is valid for more than 180 days.
Medical Attendant Visa	A Medical Attendant visa is given to those who are accompanying a patient has been granted medical visa as his/her escort. Maximum two attendant are permitted with a patient. This visa can be given to a close relative/family member or a friend of the patient. Registration is required within 14 days of arrival if visa is valid for more than 180 days.
Journalist Visa	All foreign journalists, regardless of the purpose of their visit, should apply for a “J” (journalist) visa, for up to three months' stay in India. “Journalists” for this purpose would include a professional journalist, columnist, cartoonist, editor, photographer, film producer or director (other than that of commercial films), a representative of a radio and/or television organization, travel writer/travel promotion photographer etc or any professional journalist/owner working for an association or a company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio visual news or current affairs programmes through the print, electronic or any other electronic form. All such applicants are required to apply along with a letter from their organization describing clearly the job title of the applicant and the nature of their work and whether they are travelling on work or as tourists.

IMPORTANT: All supporting documents in Greek language should be accompanied by their translation in English language, done by an authorized translator only. The applicants are also required to submit a statutory declaration from the authorized translator, bearing a unique serial number and bar code to verify the credentials of the authorized translator.