Greece Seasonal Work Visa

Greece’s Seasonal and Agricultural Sector Re-establishment

Friends, Greece has been re-establishing its economy for quite some time now, and its seasonal and agricultural sector is also getting back on its feet. Therefore, every year, Greece needs foreign workers from non-EU countries and announces different seasonal work visas in different sectors.

Seasonal Work Visa Overview

In this video, we will talk about Greece’s Seasonal Worker Visa, which is normally issued for six months or, in some special cases, for nine months. These visas are issued for agriculture, fishery, hospitality, and hotel work. This is temporary employment and it depends on how many months’ contract you have been awarded by your employer, from whom you have received the job.

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Sectors Covered by Seasonal Work Visa

If we talk about seasonal worker visa, the most famous seasonal worker visa is in the agriculture sector. In Greece it is also called Unskilled Worker Visa. Mostly the jobs in these types of visas involve harvesting. Food processing and other field work such as fruit picking or similar work on farms. Apart from this, other jobs also include hotel work or tourism industry.

Visa Duration and Important Considerations

Friends, Greek government grants visa only once in a year for six or nine months. Another thing worth noting here is that if you go into the fishing industry on a seasonal work visa, you will be provided a 10-month visa. Therefore, it is very important that when a candidate chooses any job, he should choose the job carefully. Because after going to Greece he cannot change his employer.

Bilateral Agreements with Non-EU Countries

Friends, Greece also has butterel agreements with many countries in terms of work visa, like Bangladesh, Egypt, Albania and also with Pakistan, during the tenure of previous regime it almost had a butterel agreement. It is expected that in the coming time, Greece will definitely contact Pakistan also for seasonal workers.

Annual Work Permit Quotas

In terms of the overall number of work permits, Greece issues around 15,000 work permits each year to seasonal employees, depending on the season.

Visa Application Process and Requirements

If we talk about visa process, then the first important thing is that you have a job offer. I will pin a comment for you in the comment section below this video. By clicking on the link there you will be able to see different websites through which you can also search for jobs for seasonal work in Greece.

Employer Responsibilities and Documentation

The most important thing is that if you get a job offer from Greece. Then the employer will start your application process, i.e., he will do the labor market test first to see if he has any local person. That’s why he is looking to hire a non-EU guy. After that, he will get approval from the Greek Government to he can hire you. Then they will send you the approval along with other documents like your employment contract, and also a confirmation letter for hiring you. After getting these details, you can take an appointment at the Greek Embassy, which can be obtained online. After which, you can submit your work visa application along with all the required documents. Normally, the visa cost is around 150 Euros overall for a non-EU worker.

Visa Submission and Supporting Documents

As you are applying from Pakistan, your employer at the Greek Embassy will provide you with an ITA / Invitation Letter to Apply. Apart from this, he will also provide you with other documents like document of an Inland Revenue Declaration. He will also provide you copies of job contract and approval of work visa so that you can submit these documents along with your documents like your passport ID card and police clearance certificate and medical fitness certificate on the day of appointment to apply for visa at MBC.

Accommodation and Social Security Requirements

Apart from this, it is also necessary for your employer to provide you proof of accommodation at least for the first 8 weeks and along with this. He also has to deposit social security deposit for you for two months with the Greek Government.

Visa Processing Time and Worker Rights

Normally, visa processing timing can be from one month to 4 months. Friends, there are many requirements from the employer. Workers also have rights. It is the employer’s responsibility to give you 40 hours of work per week, which means you must make people work for 5 days. Apart from this, if you work there for 45 hours but for more than 5 days in a week, and apart from this, if you work for 48 hours but for more than 6 days in a week, then your overall payment will increase by 40%.

Salary Levels in Different Industries

Overall, if we talk about salary levels, then in normal seasonal categories, you can get a minimum salary from 620 Euros onwards, depending on the rate; every employer has their rate. Apart from this, if you are going to work in the tourism industry or a restaurant or hotel, then this salary can be less, which starts from 570 Euros. If someone is going to a restaurant as a cook, then it is normal for the salary to start at 1300 Euros per month. Apart from this, waiters are also required in large numbers. On a seasonal worker visa, even waiters in Greece can earn a minimum salary of Rs 720 during the summer season.

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