Greece Student Visa from Bangladesh — Step-by-Step

The Greece student visa has one logistical wrinkle Bangladeshi students must plan around: there's no Greek embassy in Dhaka. Every applicant has to travel to the Greek Embassy in New Delhi, India for biometrics and document submission. Plan this trip carefully and your full visa timeline becomes 8–12 weeks. This guide walks you through every step — from your acceptance letter to landing in Athens or Thessaloniki. 100% free guidance from Teesta Tech — the top visa counsellor in Chittagong.

1. The Greece Visa System in One Diagram

Bangladeshi students apply for the Greek National Visa Type D (Long-Stay Student Visa). This visa is valid for entry to Greece and stays valid for the first 90 days — after which you must convert it to a residence permit (Άδεια Διαμονής) at the Greek immigration office.

• Greek Embassy in New Delhi: Issues the visa. No embassy in Bangladesh — you must travel to Delhi
• Greek immigration office (post-arrival): Issues your residence permit within 30 days of arrival

2. Step 1 — Secure Your Acceptance Letter

Apply to your Greek university directly through their international admissions portal. Most universities reply within 4–8 weeks. For September intakes, target your applications between February and May.

• Upload transcripts, certificates, IELTS, SOP, CV
• Pay any application fee (usually €30–€100, sometimes waived)
• Receive offer letter via email and physical copy by courier
• Confirm acceptance by paying first-semester tuition deposit (usually 25–50%)

3. Step 2 — Apostille and Translate Documents

Greece is a Hague Apostille Convention member. All your academic documents must be apostilled by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they're accepted by the Greek Embassy.

Documents needing apostille

• Secondary school certificate (SSC)
• Higher secondary certificate (HSC)
• Bachelor's degree and transcript (if applying for Master's)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

4. Step 3 — Open Show Money Bank Account

You need €7,200–€8,400 (BDT 9.4–11 lakh) in a Bangladeshi bank account. This represents 12 months of living expenses (€600–€700/month minimum).

• Funds must be in your account for at least 3 months before applying (preferably 6)
• Get 6 months of bank statements + balance certificate from your bank
• If using a sponsor (parents): notarised sponsorship undertaking + sponsor's bank statements + relationship proof
• Avoid suspicious large deposits in the last 30 days — they raise red flags

5. Step 4 — Get Health Insurance

You need health insurance covering Greece for at least the first year of your stay. Minimum coverage: €30,000.

• Buy from a Bangladeshi insurer with international coverage (Green Delta, Pragati, MetLife)
• OR buy directly from a Greek/European provider — often cheaper (€100–€200/year)
• Must be valid from intended date of arrival in Greece
• Coverage must include hospitalisation, emergency, repatriation

6. Step 5 — Book Greek Embassy Appointment in Delhi

The Greek Embassy in New Delhi handles all Bangladesh-origin student visa applications. Book through their website at mfa.gr/missionsabroad/en/india-en.

• Email the consular section with your acceptance letter and request a visa appointment
• Wait time: 2–6 weeks during peak season (May–August)
• You'll receive a confirmed slot via email
• Apply for Indian transit visa simultaneously (allow 2 weeks)

7. Step 6 — Travel to Delhi & Submit Visa File

Documents to carry to the Greek Embassy in Delhi

• Passport: Valid for at least 18 months, with 2 blank pages
• National visa application form (downloadable from embassy website)
• Acceptance letter from Greek institution (apostilled original)
• Proof of tuition payment (bank wire transfer receipt)
• Proof of financial means: €7,200–€8,400 — bank statements + balance certificate
• Health insurance certificate (€30,000 minimum)
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — apostilled and translated
• Apostilled academic transcripts and certificates
• Medical certificate from approved physician (general health, no infectious diseases)
• Accommodation proof in Greece (rental contract, hotel booking, or university letter)
• 2 biometric photos (40×60mm, white background)
• Travel insurance for the journey
• Indian transit visa + return tickets from Delhi to Dhaka

At the embassy

• Submit your visa file
• Provide fingerprints and photograph
• Pay €90 visa fee (paid in INR equivalent at the embassy)
• Brief interview (5–10 minutes) about your study plans
• Receive collection receipt

8. Step 7 — Visa Decision & Collection

Processing time: 4–8 weeks from submission. Some files take longer if additional verification is needed.

• The embassy will email when your visa is ready
• Collect in person in Delhi OR arrange paid courier delivery to Dhaka (Aramex/DHL)
• Verify all details on the visa sticker before leaving the embassy

9. After Arrival in Greece — Residence Permit

Critical post-arrival step within 30 days of arrival:

1. Register at the Greek immigration office (Aliens Bureau / Υπηρεσία Αλλοδαπών)
2. Submit residence permit application (Άδεια Διαμονής)
3. Pay €150 application fee
4. Provide biometrics and supporting documents
5. Receive temporary residence permit certificate
6. Permanent card arrives in 2–4 months

Without applying within 30 days, your Type D visa lapses and you lose legal status.

10. Why Greece Visas Get Rejected

• Incomplete document apostille: Missing apostille on academic certificates is the #1 rejection cause
• Insufficient funds: Below €7,200, or unstable account history with suspicious recent deposits
• Weak interview: Inability to explain why Greece, why this programme, and post-study plans
• Mismatched academic profile: Applying for unrelated field without explanation
• Previous Schengen rejection: Not disclosing it on the form is automatic refusal
• Translation errors: Non-certified translators or inconsistent name spellings across documents
• Acceptance letter issues: University not recognised, or programme not eligible for student visa

11. Frequently Asked Questions