Greenland is the largest island in the world, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The country is famous for its glaciers, tundras, and icebergs. Geographically, the state is also known for its connection with Norway and Denmark, two of the largest countries.
So, as an Indian citizen, you must get a visa to travel to Greenland. Moreover, understanding the requirements is also essential when applying for a Greenland visa from India.
Therefore, this guide will help you walk through the basic guidelines for a Greenland visa for Indian nationals.
Tidbit about Greenland
Also known as Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland is an island in North America. Besides, it is an autonomous territory within Faroe Island and the Kingdom of Denmark.
Moreover, the territory of Greenland is the territory of the European Union, so its residents are the citizens of the EU. In addition, Greenland has been politically and culturally influenced by Europe, mainly Denmark and Norway.
What is a Greenland Visa from India?
A Greenland visa from India is a travel document that permits you to travel to the target country legally.
However, since the country is within the Kingdom of Denmark, its visa process is closely related to the Danish visa. Moreover, Denmark is the main hub that handles the visa applications of Greenland from any part of the world.
Is Greenland part of the Schengen area?
No. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not member countries of the Schengen Area. Moreover, they are also not a part of the EU. This is the reason why Danish and Schengen visas do not allow you to enter Greenland or the Faroe Islands. You must have a separate visa if you want to travel to this country.
When traveling by air, make sure to start your application process at least six months earlier before your intended departure from India. However, in case of a sea trip, it is advisable to apply almost nine months before your trip.
Do Indians Require a Visa?
Yes. Indian citizens must apply for a visa before traveling to Greenland from India. The paper or embassy visa is the only method through which you can get your permit. It is a stamp or sticker that is added to your passport if approved.
Moreover, Greenland does not have a diplomatic mission or consulate in India. Alternatively, you can visit the Embassy of Denmark in New Delhi, India to submit your application.
Currently, Greenland does not provide e-visa or visa on arrival to any international traveler.
Visa Exemption for Greenland
All international travelers are required to get a visa before visiting Greenland. However, there are certain exemptions to this process.
Nationals of the Kingdom of Denmark or specific residents from the Faroe Islands can travel to Greenland without a visa. Besides, those applicants who have a residence permit from Denmark or other Schengen countries need a special permit to enter Greenland.
So, make sure to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark in India to learn about the visa guidelines.
Are Indians Eligible to Get a Visa On Arrival in Greenland?
No. Indian nationals cannot get a visa on arrival in Greenland. Besides, the Government of Greenland does not offer e-visa or online visa application process to Indians or any other foreign travelers.
Therefore, make sure to get a visa before your planned departure from your home country. For this purpose, you have to follow the conventional visa application process to apply for a Greenland visa from India.
Greenland Visa Types
Indian citizens can apply for any of the following Greenland visa types, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay in the host country.
Family reunion visa
A family reunion visa allows you to visit your friends and family members who are permanent residents of Greenland. This visa type is valid for almost three months within one hundred and eighty days.
Business visa
Indian nationals can travel to Greenland for business-related purposes after applying for a business visa. This permits you to attend a conference, or business meeting, negotiate a contract or trade affair, etc. Generally, it is granted for up to ninety days.
Tourist visa
A tourist visa, used for purposes such as tourism, sightseeing, and leisure, allows you to travel to Greenland. It is a short-stay visa that you can also use to visit your close relatives in the host country. You can stay for up to 90 days in the target country with this visa.
Work visa
An employment or work visa allows Indian citizens to enter Greenland for long-term work purposes. To start working legally in the country, you will require a work permit. Moreover, you can apply for a work visa extension depending on the length of your employment contract.
Student visa
Indian students can travel to Greenland to enroll in an education program after applying for a student visa. Typically, it is valid for six months. However, the maximum duration of your stay depends on the length of your course.
Transit visa
A transit visa allows you to travel to another destination country en route to Greenland. You will need this visa while waiting for your connecting flight. Valid for almost 5-7 days, it is non-extendable.
What are the Legal Requirements for Indians Applying for a Greenland Visa?
When applying for a Greenland visa, Indians must have the following set of documents to fulfill the entry requirements.
Application form
The most important part of the process is filling out the visa application form. Since Denmark handles the Greenland visa application process, you can download the form from the embassy’s website. Alternatively, you can complete the form online through this website.
Passport
A passport is a travel document used for identification purposes. Make sure that it is up-to-date before starting the process. Moreover, it must have the following features.
- Your passport should not be older than the last ten years.
- Must have two blank pages to stamp the visa.
- It should be valid for almost three to six months ahead of your trip to Greenland.
Photographs
Submit two recent passport-size pictures to the embassy, that will be attached to the application form. Also, the photos should fulfill the following criteria.
- The picture’s dimensions should be 35*45mm.
- The background color should be white.
- It should not be older than the last six months.
- Also, it must cover your face and shoulders.
- Lastly, headgear such as a scarf or cap is not allowed except for religious purposes.
Proof of flight itinerary
To disclose your travel intentions, the embassy also requires you to submit proof of flight itinerary. This document ensures that you will not overstay your visa and will return to your home country. For short stays, it is preferable to book round-trip flights.
Moreover, the document includes information such as,
- Your first and last name
- Flight number
- Travel dates and times
- IATA codes
- Airport terminals
- Luggage weight
- Destination country
- Connecting flights
Proof of accommodation
Proof of accommodation document ensures the embassy that you will not put a burden on the target country’s resources and have managed a place to stay. For this purpose, you can submit documents such as a hotel reservation, a rental contract, or an invitation letter from the host.
Generally, the document should include the following details.
- Name of the place
- Address
- Contact information
- Reservation code
- Check-in and check-out time
Cover letter
Writing a cover letter will add strength to your application. Therefore, you can use it to directly communicate with the immigration officer to share your travel plans.
For example, you can include details such as,
- the reason for your visit
- your travel dates
- the duration of your stay
- the intended places to visit
- your employment status, etc
You can buy a well-crafted cover letter from travel experts at a minimal cost at coverletterforvisa.com.
Travel health insurance policy
Your trip to Greenland requires you to purchase a travel health insurance policy as part of your application. It will provide a shield against unforeseen situations such as,
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Accident
- Repatriation
- Evacuation
- Luggage loss
- Flight cancellation
Proof of financial resources
Traveling to Greenland from India also requires you to show that you can support yourself financially during the entire trip. For this purpose, you can submit the following financial documents including,
- Bank statements from the last six months
- Salary slips
- Proof of employment
- Income tax returns
- Letter of sponsorship (if your trip is sponsored by the host)
Visa payment receipt
After depositing the visa fee, do not forget to submit the payment receipt with the rest of the documents. This will help the embassy show that you have paid the specific visa fee.
Requirements for a minor
Lastly, if a minor is traveling with you, you need to submit the following documents.
- Birth certificate of the minor
- Consent letter from the parent or guardian
- Court order letter
What are the General Steps to Apply for a Greenland Visa from India?
Follow the simple steps mentioned below to apply for a Greenland visa from India. You can either submit the documents at the VFS Global Center or the Embassy of Denmark (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in India.
Step 1: Select a suitable visa type
The first step requires you to choose a suitable visa type depending on the reason for visiting the target country.
Step 2: Complete the visa application form
After that, you can fill out the visa application form online. Make sure to visit this website and create a user account. Then, you can start completing the form. Once done, print it in a hard copy.
Step 3: Collect all the documents
Make sure to gather all the supporting documents to fulfill your visa requirements. Avoid providing any fake or false paper as it is one of the leading reasons for visa rejection.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment at the embassy
Next, book an appointment at the embassy to present your papers.
Alternatively, you can also schedule your appointment through VFS Global. Once done, you will receive a confirmation email.
Step 5: Pay the visa fee
Usually, the visa fee is paid at the embassy or the application center. However, for applicants traveling to Greenland, it is preferable to pay the fee online through this website. After that, print the payment receipt.
Step 6: Submit the documents
On the same day of your appointment, submit your documents and the visa application form. Moreover, the officials may ask you for biometric data such as fingerprints and photos.
Step 7: Attend the interview
After document submission, you may have to attend the visa interview. Make sure to provide true answers to the questions asked by the visa officer.
Step 8: Wait for the processing time
Once you have completed all the steps mentioned below, wait for the processing time. It may take a while for the embassy to review your application.
Step 9: Track your application
In case of any delays, you can also track your application either online (by entering your reference number) or through the embassy by directly calling the representative.
Step 10: Collect your passport
Lastly, if your visa is approved, the officials will notify you. You can collect your passport on the given date and time.
Greenland Visa Fees
Although Greenland is not a Schengen country, its visa policies are closely associated with the visa regulations of Denmark, which is a Schengen state. Therefore, the fee structure for a Greenland visa is similar to the Danish permit.
| Visa type | Fee in euros | Fee in Indian rupees |
| Tourist visa | 90 € | 8,216 INR |
| Business visa | 90 € | 8,216 INR |
| Transit visa | 90 € | 8,216 INR |
| Children between the ages of six and twelve | 45 € | 4,108 INR |
If you submit your application at the VFS Global Center in India, you have to pay certain additional charges as well mentioned below.
| Additional VFS charges | Fee in Indian Rupees |
| Service fee of VFS | 15 € or 1,369 INR |
| Premium services | 3628 |
| Courier services | 1362 |
| SMS charges | 365 |
| Form filling help | 2270 |
| Postal services | 2000 |
Note that this fee is non-refundable and you can pay it either through card or cash.
Visa Processing Time
Usually, the processing time for a Greenland visa from India is two weeks or 15 working days. Some applications require extensive inquiry, so the period gets extended for up to one month.
Moreover, in extremely difficult cases, expect a processing period of almost 45 days. After that, the embassy or the relevant application center will notify you about the status of your visa.
What is the ideal time to apply for a Greenland visa?
The best time to apply for a Greenland visa from India is at least one to two months before your intended exit from the home country. This will save you from any potential delays during the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a Schengen visa to travel to Greenland?
No. You cannot use a Schengen visa to travel to Greenland because it is not a Schengen member state. Therefore, you must apply for a specific Greenlandic visa to enter the country.
- Is it mandatory to attend a Greenland visa interview?
Appearing for the visa interview is one of the most important steps of the entire process. However, it depends on the embassy whether they ask for it or not. So, make sure to understand the guidelines before starting the application process.
- Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a Greenland visa?
No. You cannot travel to other Schengen countries with a Greenlandic visa because it only allows you to travel to Greenland. However, if you want to visit the Schengen Region, make sure to apply for a specific Schengen visa to enter the territory.
- Will the embassy refund my money in case of visa rejection?
No. The embassy will not refund your money in case your visa is rejected because it is non-refundable.
- Can I extend a Greenland visa?
Applying for an extension for a Greenland visa depends on certain circumstances. If you want to stay for more than three months in the target country, you must get a separate visa or permit.
Moreover, it also varies considering the purpose of your stay in Greenland. Therefore, check the specific requirements as per your condition before planning a trip to Greenland.
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