Visa Requirements

CatScience Europe 2027 will be held at the University of Crete – Voutes Campus, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Greece is a member of the Schengen Area. Depending on your nationality, you may need a Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) to enter Greece and attend the conference.

A Schengen Short-Stay Visa generally permits travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Participants are advised to check the current visa requirements for their nationality before making travel arrangements.

Do I Need a Visa?

Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and certain visa-exempt countries may enter Greece without a visa for eligible short stays.

Citizens of countries subject to the Schengen visa requirement must obtain a visa before travelling to Greece.

Participants travelling to more than one Schengen country should normally apply through the country that is their main destination. If the stay is of equal duration in several Schengen countries, the application should generally be submitted to the country of first entry.

For the most up-to-date information, please consult the official Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Invitation Letter

The CatScience Europe 2027 Conference Secretariat can provide an official invitation letter to eligible registered participants who require supporting documentation for their visa application.

An invitation letter may be issued to participants whose registration or participation has been confirmed, subject to the conference registration requirements.

To request an invitation letter, participants should contact the Conference Secretariat and provide the following information:

• Full name exactly as shown in the passport
• Title
• Institution / Organization
• Position / Designation
• Full address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Passport number
• Passport copy
• Conference registration or abstract acceptance details, where applicable

Please ensure that all information provided for the invitation letter matches the information in your passport.

Documents Required

Visa requirements may vary depending on the applicant's nationality, country of residence and individual circumstances.

Applicants may generally be required to provide the following documents:

• Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
• Valid passport
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Proof of conference registration or participation
• Official conference invitation letter, where applicable
• Flight reservation or travel itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in Greece
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Employment certificate, leave approval or proof of professional/student status, where applicable
• Travel medical insurance valid throughout the Schengen Area
• Additional supporting documents requested by the Greek Consular Authorities

Applicants should check the latest document checklist applicable to their place of residence before submitting their application.

Passport Requirements

Your passport should generally:

• Be issued within the previous 10 years
• Remain valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen Area
• Contain at least two blank pages

Applicants should also provide copies of the relevant passport pages and previous visas, where required.

Travel Medical Insurance

Applicants requiring a Schengen visa must provide travel medical insurance that meets the applicable Schengen requirements.

The insurance should generally:

• Provide minimum coverage of EUR 30,000
• Be valid throughout the Schengen Area
• Cover the entire intended period of stay
• Cover emergency medical treatment
• Cover hospitalisation
• Include medical repatriation, including in the event of death

Participants should carefully check their insurance policy before submitting their visa application.

Where to Apply

Applicants should submit their visa application through the official Greek Consular Authority or the authorised Greek Visa Application Centre responsible for their country of residence.

For applicants in India, Greece has appointed Global Visa Center World (GVCW) as its external visa service provider.

When Should I Apply?

A Schengen visa application can generally be submitted up to six months before the intended date of travel.

Applicants should normally submit their application at least 15 days before the planned journey.

However, participants are strongly advised to apply well in advance of the conference, as processing times may vary and additional documentation or an interview may be requested.

We recommend that conference participants begin preparing their visa documentation as soon as registration and invitation documentation become available.

Visa Processing Time

The normal processing period for a Schengen visa application is generally up to 15 working days after the application has been received and considered admissible.

In individual cases, processing may take longer and can extend up to 45 calendar days when additional examination, documentation or an interview is required.

Applicants submitting through regional Visa Application Centres should also allow additional time for the transfer of their application to the competent Greek Consular Authority.

Processing times are not guaranteed. Applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.

Visa Fees

Visa fees are determined by the applicable Schengen visa regulations and may change.

The standard Schengen Short-Stay Visa fee is currently:

A separate service fee may also be charged by the authorised Visa Application Centre.

Visa fees and service charges may change depending on applicable regulations and exchange rates. Applicants should verify the current fees on the official Greek Visa Application Centre website before submitting their application.

Visa Application Procedure

Useful Links

Conference Visa Support

For conference-related documents such as invitation letters and registration confirmation, please contact the CatScience 2027 Conference Secretariat.

For visa appointments, application status, visa fees and visa submission requirements, please contact the official Greek Visa Application Centre or the relevant Greek Consular Authority.