Greek consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi will start receiving Schengen visa applications as of February 12, the authorities have revealed.
According to the consulate, the information on the website for application will also soon be available in Arabic, as it currently is offered only in English, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Greece’s Ambassador to Libya, Stravos Venizelos, confirmed to the Libyan media that Schengen visas at this consulate will start to be processed from Benghazi. He also revealed that the Consulate currently isn’t technically ready to issue visas locally but that VFS Global, which is their processing company would start receiving the applications in Benghazi, to later be sent to Tripoli for processing.
During a phone call, the Ambassador said he hopes the visas can be issued for Benghazi by June.
According to Schengen Statistics, a total of 295,634 applications for uniform visas were recorded in the country, while the total uniform visas issued, including MEV, went to 269,287. In addition, 239,711 multiple entry uniform visas (MEVs) were issued, with the total LTVs issued reaching 5,549 and 18,545 uniform visas not issued.
Furthermore, the Greek consulate in the Russian capital of Moscow receives the highest number of visa applications compared to all other consulates – a total of 154,339. In addition, the total ATVs and uniform visas issued reached 149,904 for Russian applicants while the total ATVs and uniform visas not issued peaked at 3,857. In general, the rate for not issued ATVs and uniform visas stands at 2.51 per cent for this nationality.
The second consulate to receive the most visa applications is the one in Istanbul, Turkey, which received 29,033 applications including multiple ATVs, MEVs and LTVs, while the total number of visas issued reached 25,805, leaving the not issued rate for this service at 10.27 per cent or 2,955 applications.
While Greek consulates in Russia represent institutions that receive the most visa applications, the Abu Dhabi consulate in the United Arab Emirates is also listed fourth with a total of 13,350 applications followed by the consulate in Riyadh (7,385), Beirut (7,116), Yerevan (4,681), Pristina (4,566) and Izmir (4,560).
In order to apply for a visa to Greek consulates in any city, there are certain documents that must be submitted to respective authorities in order to be eligible to apply for a Greek visa. Such documents include a completed Greek visa application form, two passport photos, a valid passport, copies of previous visas, health insurance that covers up any inconvenience that might occur during your trip to the Schengen Area, in addition to flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, a cover letter and proof of civil status.
Source: Schengen visa info