General Visa requirements

General visa requirements and paperwork for Schengen visas to Greece and Portugal

Citizens of Comoros, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Burundi and Rwanda may apply at this Embassy for a Schengen visa for Greece. The Embassy of Greece does not accept visa applications from Somali passport holders.

Only Kenyan passport holders and legal residents of Kenya may apply at this Embassy for a Schengen visa for Portugal.

Kindly note that all documents should be and addressed to the Embassy of Greece in Kenya in English and/or in Greek. Applicants may be asked to submit further documentation if necessary. Submitted documents will not be returned.

-Visa application, duly completed and signed by the applicant. The application may be completed at the embassy.

-One recent color photograph (white background, maximum 3 months old)

-Current passport that must be valid for at least six months after the expiry of the visa. Previous passports may be requested.

-Kenyan residency permit or re-entry stamp in passport for non-Kenyans, valid minimum 6 months after the expiry of the visa. Foreign citizens that are not residents of Kenya cannot apply for a visa at our Embassy.

-Birth and marriage certificates may be requested.

-In order to attend a conference, meeting, training, we require an invitation from the organizing body stating the exact dates, venue of the conference and the nature of the visit.

-Evidence of accommodation in host country (hotel reservations, copy of lease agreement etc).

-If you are applying for a visa for Greece, the applicant is being invited by a citizen of the EU then the applicant must send the embassy ( ) an invitation in the form of a sworn statement (υπεύθυνη δήλωση) authorized by the Greek authorities (Κ.Ε.Π or Greek police) with EU citizen’s ID or passport attached. The document must state the nature of the visit, the dates of your visit and the physical address of the EU citizen’s domicile.

-If you are applying for a visa for Portugal, the EU citizen must send us an invitation letter mentioning the nature of the visit, the dates of your visit and the physical address of the EU citizen’s domicile. Also, the EU citizen’s ID or passport must be attached to the invitation letter.

-The applicant must submit proof of sufficient funds in Kenya (pay slips and certified bank account statements for the last six months from a local bank).

-Letter of employment including information on leave of absence. For those that are self-employed, we require a company registration certificate.

-If a minor is traveling unaccompanied or with one parent, a signed letter of parental consent and a copy of the parent/guardian’s passport or national ID are necessary. The child’s birth certificate clearly stating the two parents' name is also required. In case one of the two parents is deceased then a death certificate is required. Children under 12 years of age do not pay the visa fee.

-Proof of return airline ticket reservation issued by travel agencies registered and located in Kenya. Paying for the air ticket at this stage is not recommended.

The Schengen visa application fee is 13,500 KES in cash (based on the current exchange rate used by the Embassy 1 Euro Χ 150 KES) and is not refundable.

All documents must be submitted at the time of the application.

If a Schengen visa is granted, the following must be presented:

Travel medical insurance of a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros. Applicants are requested to choose from the list of insurance companies found here

Please note that a visa may take up to 15 calendar days to be processed and delivered. Travelers are advised to apply for their visas one month in advance. Visa applications for travel for more than three months after the date of application are not accepted.

Visa forms are to be completed and submitted by the applicant IN PERSON. An interview will also be taken.

Appointments for visa applications are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 1000 am and 1330 pm. For appointments, please contact Ms. Karimi at or at .

Visa collection is on Friday between 1100 am and 1400 pm. In order to collect your passport, you will need to show your receipt. The passport may be collected by another person if they show the receipt.