Visa Types
Italy Permanent Residency Process
How you can immigrate to Italy, how to protect yourself from Fraud, and what to expect after you arrive in Italy.
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What Is Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to visit and travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that a person with a Schengen Visa can move freely between these countries without having to go through immigration checks at the border.
To obtain a Schengen Visa, applicants need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit or spend most of their time in. The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and can be used for tourism, business, or other purposes. However, the visa does not grant the holder the right to work or study in the Schengen Area.
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Here Are The Schengen Area Countries As Of March 2024:
Schengen Area signifies a zone where 29 European countries abolished their internal borders(countries of Schengen agreement). Here is the list of the countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply common policies in terms of short-term visas.
Key Points for Italy PR Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to Italy?
To visit Italy, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
Italy visa application is made online or offline?
The visa application process is offline. You can complete the application form online/offline. After filling out the form, print the completed version, sign it, and bring it to the Italian Embassy/Consulate or Visa Application Centre.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain Italy visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a Italy visa, but it may vary. The Embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a PR visa?
You can live indefinitely on a permanent resident (PR) visa.
What kind of visa will we acquire from Italy?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page in your passport.
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
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VISA FEE TYPE |
IN EUROS |
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Visa Fee (Categories D) |
€ 116 |
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Visa Fee (Categories A, B or C) |
€ 90 |
To more information about visa fee, please click here
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- When applying for a visa to Italy as a Schengen State, determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, education, or family reunion, to choose the appropriate visa type.
- Consult the official website of the Italian embassy or consulate in your country to access detailed information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas to Italy.
- Ensure you meet the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category to increase the chances of a successful visa application for Italy as a Schengen State.
Get started with your visa application
To apply for a visa, download and fill out the application form, then print and bring it to the Visa Application Centre for submission. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months longer than the visa you're applying for and has been issued within the last 10 years. You should apply between 15 and 180 working days prior to your departure date. If you live in the Western or Southern part of India, the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai has specific submission requirements. Submit any required documents in Italian and have non-Italian documents translated by a certified translator. If you live in the Eastern part of India, check if you're eligible to apply at the Kolkata Application Centre . Keep in mind that if you apply within 15 working days prior to departure, you'll need to sign a declaration. Passports must be machine-readable and cannot contain written observations. Check photograph specifications in Kolkata or use Digital Document Check to save time during your appointment.
List of insurance providers authorised to issue Schengen visas
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Choose a Visa Application Centre and make an appointment
To apply for a visa, you need to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to submit your documents and have your biometric information taken, which includes your fingerprints and photo. Once you book your appointment, you'll receive an email confirmation with an attached Appointment Confirmation letter. Before booking your appointment, it's important to read the guidance provided on the visa application process. If you don't need to submit biometrics, you can also submit your visa application at one of 29 Drop Boxes located across India. For more
Find out how much you need to pay
After submitting your visa application, you will be required to pay the visa application fee. If you apply online, you will make the payment as part of the application process. However, if you download the visa application form and submit it in person at the Visa Application Centre, you can pay the fee at the time of your appointment.
Attend your scheduled appointment
To apply for an Italian visa, you must submit your complete visa application form in person at the Visa Application Centre . If you live in the northern part of India and need to report to the Italian Embassy upon arrival in India, you can visit the centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 15:00 and 16:00 with a prior appointment. If you have already submitted your visa application at the Embassy Counter and are required to provide further documents, you can visit the Visa Application Centre on Tuesdays to Thursdays anytime between 15:00 and 16:00 with a prior appointment. Applicants must arrive at the Centre 15 minutes prior to their appointment time, and they are not allowed to be accompanied inside the Centre, except for those accompanying children under 18 years old or applicants who need special assistance for health reasons or a disability.
Stay informed about the progress of your application
To track the status of your visa application , you can visit the website of the Visa Application Centre and enter your reference number and date of birth. Additionally, some Visa Application Centres may offer SMS and email updates for detailed tracking information. You can check with the Visa Application Centre you’re visiting to see if this service is available.
Receive your passport from the Visa Application Centre
It's important to note that if you choose to have someone else collect your documents on your behalf, they must bring specific documents with them to the Visa Application Centre, such as a government ID card, an original ICR, and an authorization letter from you. Additionally, the types of people who can collect your documents on your behalf are limited to immediate family members, one member of a group application, someone collecting on behalf of government officials, and a representative of a company.
If someone other than the applicant is collecting the visa documents, they must provide a photocopy of their government ID card, the original ICR, and an authorization letter from the applicant. If the applicant has a "Report Back" notice, they must email a scanned copy of their visa page and the facing page of their passport to consolatogenerale.calcutta@esteri.it within 7 days of returning from the Schengen area. It's crucial to send this proof of return, or legal consequences may be imposed by the Consulate General of Italy. Even if the applicant didn't travel to the Schengen area, they must still provide this information via email.
Prepared to apply?
Begin the visa application procedure, then return to VFS Global with your reference number to utilise the services provided.
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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here is a document checklist and the corresponding forms required for applying for permanent residency visas in Italy from India under different categories:
Submission of Documents
1. Family Reunification:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.).
- Proof of accommodation in Italy.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself and your family members in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for all family members.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
2. Employment:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Employment contract or job offer from an Italian employer.
- Proof of professional qualifications and experience.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
3. Self-Employment:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Business plan outlining your proposed self-employed venture in Italy.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself and your business.
- Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
4. Study:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Admission letter or enrollment confirmation from an Italian educational institution.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself during your study period.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
5. Investment:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof of investment or business plan in Italy.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself and your investment.
- Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
6. Elective Residence:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Italy (bank statements, income proof, etc.).
- Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
7. Long-Term Resident EU:
- Visa application form (National Visa Application Form - D).
- Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages.
- Two recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof of legal residence in another EU member state.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself in Italy.
- Health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Italy.
- Flight itinerary or travel reservation.
- Police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct.
Please note that this is a general document checklist, and specific requirements may vary depending on the work visa category and individual circumstances. It is advisable to consult the official website of the Italian embassy or consulate in India and/or seek advice from an immigration lawyer for detailed and up-to-date information specific to your chosen work visa category.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
Before submitting your visa application, please review the list of required documents carefully. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately, reducing the chances of your application being rejected due to incorrect or incomplete documents.
Italian National Visa Application Form (For Long Term Visa D-Type)
Note:
- Please print this form on an A4 paper
- The visa application form must be filled out entirely and signed by each visa applicant.
- Each applicant needs a separate visa application form.
- Remember to print the visa application form back-to-back.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
After receiving confirmation of permanent residence (PR) in Italy, you will need to apply for a residence visa to finalize the process. Here is a step-by-step guideline for applying for an Italy residence visa from India:
- Gather Required Documents: Collect all the necessary documents for your residence visa application including your PR Confirmation.
- Make an Appointment: Visit the website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India and schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Select a convenient date and time.
- Attend the Appointment: On the scheduled date, go to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India for your appointment. Bring all the required documents, completed application forms, and the visa fee payment.
- Submit Your Application: Submit your visa application and supporting documents to the visa officer at the embassy or consulate. They will review your documents and may ask you additional questions or request further clarification.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the applicable visa fee as instructed by the embassy or consulate. Retain the payment receipt as proof of payment.
- Provide Biometric Data: In most cases, you will be required to provide your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, at the visa application center or embassy. Cooperate with the authorities during this process.
- Await Processing: After submitting your application, wait for the processing of your residence visa. The processing time can vary, so it's important to be patient during this stage.
- Collect Your Visa: Once your residence visa is approved, you will be notified to collect your passport with the visa. Return to the embassy or consulate on the specified date and time to retrieve your passport. Check the visa sticker to ensure all details are correct.
It's important to note that the specific requirements and procedures may vary, and it's always advisable to consult the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India or seek guidance from authorized visa application centers for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the residence visa application process
There are different routes to obtain residency in Italy from India. Here are some common routes along with the corresponding visa name and category:
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari" (Residence Permit for Family Reasons)
- Category: Family reunification with an Italian citizen or a foreign resident in Italy who holds a valid residence permit.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro" (Residence Permit for Work)
- Category: Employment with an Italian employer who sponsors your work permit.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Autonomo" (Residence Permit for Self-Employment)
- Category: Self-employment or starting your own business in Italy.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio" (Residence Permit for Study)
- Category: Enrolling in a recognized educational institution in Italy for academic or vocational studies.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Investitori" (Residence Permit for Investors)
- Category: Making a significant investment in Italy, such as in real estate or a business.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno per Residenza Elettiva" (Residence Permit for Elective Residence)
- Category: Residing in Italy without working or studying, based on sufficient financial resources and meeting specific criteria.
- Visa Name: "Permesso di Soggiorno CE per Soggiornanti di Lungo Periodo" (CE Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents)
- Category: Obtaining long-term resident status after legally residing in another EU country for five years.
Please note that the specific requirements and application procedures may vary for each visa category. It's essential to consult the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India or seek advice from authorized immigration agencies to get accurate and up-to-date information on the requirements and procedures for each residency route.