How to get a student visa for Greece

A master’s degree in Greece takes two years, but it may be longer in some fields such as medicine, engineering, and computer. Some of the most popular courses in Greece are:

• Financial management
• Finance
• Navigation
• Marketing
• Business management
• Tourism

Like a bachelor’s degree, the student’s studies will be free if they are fluent in Greek. Otherwise, the cost of studying in Greece for a master’s degree is 7,000 to 20,000 euros per year. The required documents for the student visa in Greece for a master’s degree and obtaining a Greek study permit are:

• Bachelor’s degree
• IELTS score 6.5
• GPA 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10
• 2 to 4 years of work experience to study for an “MBA” degree

The applicants’ bachelor’s degree university rank is highly critical if they want to get admission from a first-class Greek university. The postgraduate students in Greece can work 10 to 20 hours a week.

Studying in Greece at the doctoral level takes three-year, which may vary depending on the study field. This program takes four to six years in programs, such as social sciences or arts. Doctoral programs in Greece are in the form of a traditional doctorate and an American system. The traditional course is a three-year course based on research, and the American system is a four to the five-year subject followed by a master’s degree. The applicants must have the following documents to study at the doctorate level:

• A master’s degree
• A recommendation letter from a previous university professor
• A proposal
• A supervisor
• A language certificate according to the requirements of each university, which is usually an IELTS 7

Admission to this program in Greece is not easy, and the students can reduce some of their expenses by receiving a scholarship. Doctoral students with a Greek student visa can work 30 hours a week.

Greece has a Bologna education system (the process of integrating higher education levels and aligning the relevant institutions in 48 European countries), according to which it has a higher education system and provides scholarships to students every year. All students can apply for a scholarship only by submitting an application form in Greece. This foundation examines applications and often gives the scholarship to students from developing countries. Besides, universities can offer scholarships to students with excellent academic backgrounds and resume based on their ability and qualifications under Greek law. Greek study permit and scholarship applicants must provide documents, such as academic transcripts, solid academic and scientific resumes, motivation letters, language certificates, and recommendation letters from former university professors.

Non-EU students must apply for a Greek student visa to study in Greece. The Greek student visa application process is sensitive, and applicants must apply for a student visa with full knowledge of the subject. In case they ignore or lack any documents, the application may be rejected. The applicants for a Greek student visa must first apply for admission to the university of their choice and, if accepted, bring an acceptance letter approved by the Greek Ministry of Education with the required documents to the Greek Consulate in the applicants’ country. The required documents to obtain a Greek student visa are:

• Academic transcripts
• Valid passport
• Valid language certificate
• Degrees translated into Greek
• Four three-by-four photo pieces
• If you have a study gap, provide work history
• Translated identity documents
• University Admission Letter
• If married, translated marriage certificate
• Bank printout showing financial viability
• Motivational letter
• Completed forms related to the Immigration Office
• Travel insurance
• Health certificate

If the applicants wish to travel to Greece with their family to continue their studies, they must prepare the required documents for a student visa in Greece and a companion visa. According to Greek law, the students who are currently studying in this country cannot take their family with them, and their family can spend some time with them on a tourist visa. The students’ spouses and children below 18 can apply for a companion visa under some special conditions, which may be rejected or accepted. Studying in Greece is not recommended for families, and it is more appropriate for single people. Married people can continue their studies in countries where they can receive a companion visa for their families.

The applicants who wish to reside in Greece after graduation and obtain Greek residency and citizenship should know that they cannot obtain Greek citizenship by having a Greek student visa. The students can find work, especially in fields, such as accounting, law, sales, and technicians, in which Greece needs workforces fluent in Greek after graduating from university. The applicants must change their student visa to a work visa. According to the Greek laws, if the students find a job and have an employment contract with an employer after graduation, they can change their study residence to a work residence in Greece. They can receive permanent residency in Greece after five years of working and paying taxes. They can obtain Greek citizenship after seven years of continuous residence, and if they are fluent in Greek and pass the relevant exams.

The cost of living in Greece for international students is somewhat lower than in other European countries. The students can study and live in Greece at a relatively reasonable cost after obtaining a Greek student visa. One of the most critical aspects of the cost of living in Greek for international students is the annual inflation rate, which has been below 2% in recent years. Therefore, the living expenses in Greece are stable and not expensive. The salary in Greece is lower than the living expenses compared to other countries, which may not be very popular with immigrants. The average monthly cost of living in Greece for international students is around 1,000 euros. Students with a Greek study permit can work and cover part of their living expenses in Greece.