Visa Information

All students applying to ICBS Business College of Thessaloniki or Athens residing from a non-European Union country are obliged to apply for and obtain a student visa.

VISA and residence permit

Information for full time students studying in Thessaloniki or Athens

All non-EU students should apply for a student visa at the Greek consulate of their own country, or one in a neighbouring country.

A valid student entry visa is necessary in order to apply later, after the arrival in Greece, for a student residence permit since, according to the Greek Immigration Law, all international students wishing to live temporarily in Greece must apply for a student residence permit at the relevant Immigration office in Thessaloniki or Athens.

In general, the documents that will be required from you by the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country, to apply for a student visa are the following:

  1. A valid passport or other travel identification documents
  2. A letter of acceptance issued by the ICBS Business College
  3. Proof of financial support
  4. An official “health certificate”, from a health institution in the applicant’s country, declaring that the student does not carry any transmitted (contagious) diseases (translated into Greek and legalized)
  5. An official certificate that the applicant has no criminal record (Translated into Greek and notarized)
  6. 2-4 passport size pictures
  7. Evidence in writing of efficient knowledge of the English Language
  8. A completed application form, given by the Consulate

After of your acceptance of our offer, the Department of Student Services will send you specific guidelines and certificates that you can use for the visa application process.

Information for PG, Graduate (MBA) students

Non-EU MBA Students visiting Greece for the approved delivery schedule DO NOT have to apply for a student visa.

Instead they should apply for a multi-entry tourist visa

In order to do so the Department of Student Services needs to send an invitation letter to the student, which will be used at the Greek consulate office of the students’ country.

Other than the invitation letter the authorities may request additional supporting documents (e.g. employment certificate, financial statement etc.). Since Greek Embassies/Consulates in each country may have different requirements for this type of visa application, we would advise students to consult them before they proceed with their application.

Non-EU students attending the Masters programme need to request as soon as possible an invitation letter so they can apply for a tourist visa.

*Note: It should be made clear that the visa duration and number of entries is at the discretion of the associated Consulate.

Steps towards applying for a Student Visa

Students wishing to apply for a student visa are required to contact and schedule an appointment with the Greek Consulate in their country. We recommend that you contact the Greek Consulate as early as possible because the visa application process may delay your admission to the ICBS Business College. It is advisable to apply at least ten weeks before your desired entry date.

Prior to your appointment, please make sure that you have gathered the necessary documents needed for applying for a visa at the Greek Consulate.

Acquiring a Residence Permit – Maintaining Legal Status in Greece

Upon arriving to ICBS Business College, our Office of International Student Services will assist and advise you with the process of registering with the local tax authorities and the immigration office to acquire a Residence Permit.

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