[ALBSA-Info] Questions on migrant legalisation answered – Greece

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

Questions on migrant legalisation answered

Undocumented foreigners who have lived in Greece for at least 12 months 
willbe able to apply for their place in the sun come early June


BY KATHY TZILIVAKIS 

THE NEW immigration law, which provides for a second legalisation process, 
has come into effect following its publication in the Government Gazette on 
May 2. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants from non-EU countries 
are already rushing to gather the necessary documents in the hope of one day 
living and working in Greece without the fear of being deported. 

The legalisation procedure, which offers many undocumented migrants a second 
chance to secure residence, begins June 5. 

Following is a guide, in the form of questions and answers, to help migrants 
through the bureaucratic maze of this new legalisation. 

Who can apply for a residence permit? 

Undocumented migrants who can prove they have been living in Greece for at 
least one year at the time legalisation officially starts on June 2, 2001, 
are eligible to apply for a residence permit. 

This new legalisation procedure also applies to migrants appealing a 
rejection by the Organisation for the Employment of Human Resources (OAED) of 
their application for a Green Card in the first legalisation process. Those 
who registered with OAED in 1998, but did not manage to submit a Green Card 
application, are also eligible. 

How can migrants prove their length of stay in Greece? 

The law states that proof can be a stamp of entry on their passport or an 
electricity, water or telephone (including mobile phone) bill. If the 
undocumented migrant lives in a village or town with less than 20,000 
residents, they can request a document from their local council verifying 
they have been living there for at least one year. 

What if someone cannot obtain documents verifying length of stay? 

Undocumented migrants who do not possess proof indicating they have resided 
in Greece for at least 12 months have another option. They can buy 250 days' 
worth of social insurance stamps (ensima). For an unskilled worker, one 
ensimo costs 3,500 drs. A year's worth (250 ensima) is some 875,000 drs. 

What is the application procedure? 

According to the law, undocumented migrants must apply for a residence permit 
at their local municipality or village council no later than 2 August 2001. 
They must submit some sort of proof that they have been in Greece for at 
least one year, two passport-size photographs, a photocopy of their passport, 
or other travel documents or another form of official identification 
certified by their native country's embassy or consulate. 

If this initial application is accepted, the migrant will be issued a 
six-month residence permit. Before the six-month permit expires, migrants 
must apply for a residence permit that is valid for a duration of 12 months. 

Within those six months, migrants applying for the 12-month permit must 
obtain a document from the justice ministry indicating they do not have a 
criminal record in this country. The application for the 12-month permit must 
also include a certificate from a state-run hospital or health clinic which 
states that the individual does not suffer from a contagious disease that 
could pose a threat to public health. 

One of the requirements for the issuing of the residence permit is stable 
employment. Migrants must present proof that they either are working or are 
self-employed, and that they contribute to a social insurance fund (IKA, 
TEBE, OGA). 

Successful applicants will be issued with a residence permit valid for one 
year, which can be renewed based on the stipulations of the law. 

What about migrants who have a Green Card? 

According to the law, Green Cards which are due to expire before December 31, 
2001 have had their validity automatically extended until June 30, 2002. 
Other residence permits (those issued by the public order ministry) due to 
expire by December 31, 2001 are also considered valid until June 30, 2002. 
Those holding Green Cards or other types of residence permits that must be 
renewed should submit an application for the new permit to their local 
municipality or village council. 

Can migrants who live legally in Greece bring family members who reside 
abroad? 

Yes. Migrants who have legally resided in Greece f or at least two years will 
be able to reunite with their spouse and children only. Family members are 
required to live in the same home as the migrant already resident in Greece. 
The migrant living in Greece will have to provide proof of suitable residence 
and a steady income that is able to support the family member/s. 

Migrants in Greece wishing to reunite with family members are required to 
submit an application to their municipality or village council. 

Will family members settling in Greece have the right to work?
 
Yes. Family members do have the right to work. Note: Under an earlier version 
of the immigration bill, family members did not have the right to work for 
the first three years of residence in this country. 

Will migrants have to pay for their residence permits? 

Yes. The fee for a residence permit of 12 months' duration is 50,000 drs. A 
permit valid for up to two years costs 100,000 drs. A permit valid for up to 
six years costs 300,000 drs.