Visa Types
Italy Visa Application Simplified
Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family And friends, do business, or transit through 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.
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Visa Exemption for Italy
Citizens from specific countries and regions don’t need a visa to stay in Italy for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This applies if they’re coming for tourism, business, missions, or other reasons like study, sports, or religious purposes.
- For Taiwan, you need a passport with an identity card number.
- For citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine, the visa waiver only applies to biometric passport holders.
- Serbian citizens with passports from the Serbian Coordination Directorate are not eligible for the visa waiver.
- People from San Marino and the Holy See don’t need a visa for any reason.
- For UK citizens, the visa waiver also covers stays for paid employment of up to 90 days.
Key Points for Italy Visitor 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 visit visa?
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 90 days.
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 A, B or C) |
€ 90 |
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Visa Fee for applicants aged between 6 – 12 (Categories A, B or C) |
€ 45 |
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Visa fee for applicants aged under 6 |
€ 0 |
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.
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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's a comprehensive document checklist for applying for a Italy Visitor Visa from India, covering various categories including Tourist Visa, Visitor Visa, Business Visa, and Transit Visa:
1. Valid Passport:
- Valid passport with a validity of at least six months beyond your intended stay in Italy.
- Copies of the bio page and any pages with stamps or visas.
2. Completed Application Form:
- Fill out the Schengen Visa application form.
- Ensure all sections are completed accurately and signed.
3. Digital Photographs:
- Provide two recent passport-sized photographs for each applicant.
- Follow the specifications provided by the Italy embassy or consulate.
4. Proof of Identity:
- Copy of your national identity card (if applicable).
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Divorce or separation certificate (if applicable).
- Adoption certificate (if applicable).
5. Travel Documents:
- Flight itinerary or confirmed round-trip tickets.
- Hotel reservations or accommodation details for your stay in Italy.
- Travel insurance coverage for the duration of your visit to Italy.
6. Financial Documents:
- Bank statements for the past six months to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Italy.
- Proof of employment, such as employment letter, pay slips, or income tax returns.
- Business registration documents and financial statements (if self-employed).
- Sponsorship letter and supporting financial documents (if applicable).
7. Ties to India:
- Property ownership documents.
- Proof of employment or business ties in India.
- Family records or documents to demonstrate close family ties in India.
- Any other documents that prove your intention to return to India after your visit.
8. Additional Documents:
- Previous travel history, including copies of visas and entry/exit stamps.
- Marriage certificate or wedding photographs (if visiting for a wedding ceremony).
- Any other relevant supporting documents based on your specific circumstances.
Purpose of Visit:
- Tourist Visa:
- Detailed travel itinerary outlining the places you plan to visit in Italy.
- Proof of hotel bookings or accommodation arrangements.
- Sightseeing or tour reservations (if applicable).
- Visitor Visa:
- Letter of invitation from a host in Italy (if visiting friends or relatives).
- Detailed itinerary of your visit, including activities and events.
- Proof of family relationship or ties to the host (if applicable).
- Business Visa:
- Letter of invitation from the Italian company or organization you will be visiting.
- Proof of business activities, such as meeting agendas or conference invitations.
- Proof of your employment or business ties in India.
- Transit Visa:
- Confirmed flight tickets for your onward travel.
- Valid visa for your final destination (if required).
- Proof of transit purpose, such as hotel reservations or connecting flight details.
It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and the embassy or consulate where you submit your application. It is recommended to visit the official website of the Italy embassy or consulate in India to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the required documents for your specific visitor visa application.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
Before submitting your visa application, please review the list of required documents. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately, reducing the risk of your visa application being rejected due to incorrect or insufficient documentation.
Italian Visa Application Form For Schengen Visa (C-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.
Italian Online Schengen Visa Application Form (E-Application)
E-Application is the Italian online tool for filling out your Schengen visa application form.
When using E-@pplication:
E-@pplication is for short visits up to 90 days in Schengen countries. For longer stays, like studies or work, please contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate directly; E-@pplication won't work for those applications.
To use E-@pplication, ensure you have:
- HTML5 and CSS3 compatible browsers,
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 10,
- a printer.
Before filling out the form, gather these documents:
- Valid travel document (must be valid for at least three months after your planned trip),
- Travel or flight schedule,
- Hotel reservation if applicable,
- Letter of invitation if applicable.
Remember, the travel document must have been issued (not extended) in the past 10 years for visa endorsement.
Important:
- All answers must be written using Latin letters. The online application form is currently available in Italian or English. Once you start filling out the form, stick to the chosen language. Changing it will erase previous entries.
- When entering dates, use the following format: year (4 digits) - month (2 digits) - day (2 digits), separated by hyphens (-).
- You can save your application on your computer by putting in your family name and date of birth. Just click "Save data" at the bottom left of the page.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
Here's a step-by-step guideline to apply for a visitor visa to Italy from India:
- Determine the type of visa: Identify the type of visa you need based on the purpose of your visit to Italy, such as tourist visa, business visa, or family visit visa. Visit the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India to gather information on the specific visa type and requirements.
- Gather required documents: Collect all the necessary documents according to the visa requirements. This typically includes the application form, passport, photographs, travel insurance, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, financial documents, employment/business documents, and any additional supporting documents.
- Complete the application form: Fill out the Schengen Visa application form accurately and legibly. You can obtain the form from the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate. Ensure you sign the form where required.
- Arrange supporting documents: Organize all the supporting documents in the order specified by the embassy or consulate. Make sure to have photocopies of all the original documents, as you may need to submit both the originals and copies.
- Schedule an appointment: Visit the online appointment booking system of the Italian Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Select a convenient date and time that is available.
- Pay the visa fee: Check the applicable visa fee and make the payment as per the instructions provided on the embassy's or consulate's website. Keep the payment receipt as proof of payment.
- Attend the appointment: On the scheduled date, visit the Italian Embassy or Consulate in India for your appointment. Bring all the required documents, including the application form, supporting documents, passport, and visa fee payment receipt.
- Submit your application: Submit your visa application and supporting documents to the visa officer at the embassy or consulate. They will verify your documents and may ask you additional questions if necessary.
- Biometric data collection: 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.
- Collect your passport: After the visa processing is complete, you will be notified to collect your passport. 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.
- Check visa validity: Once you receive your passport, carefully review the visa sticker to verify the dates and duration of your visa. Make sure it aligns with your intended travel dates.
It's important to note that this guideline provides a general overview of the visa application process, and the specific requirements and procedures may vary. Therefore, 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.