adminItalian Visa Application Procedure – Do you wish to travel to Italy, but do not know how to begin it. Many people also want to move to Italy long-term, whether it is to join a family member already there, work, or pursue a higher education. This page will guide you on how to apply for without stress.
Italian Visa
Italy attracts around 50 million visitors every year – people who want to see the famous historical landmarks, take a gondola ride through Venice’s canals, or enjoy delicious Italian food right where it originated.
Italy is the world’s seventh-largest economy, the Republic of Italy, is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 301,340km2 and a population of 60,483,973. It has emerged from the Roman Empire, which was one of the greatest European empires to have ever existed.
As a result, today the country is home to many castles and palaces, and a lot of buildings of various architectural styles, as Romanesque, Gothic, Mannerist, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Moreover, it has a coastline of 7,600 km, picturesque lakes, stunning cliffs, and many green national parks.
With all these natural and man-made wonders, Italy is a huge magnet for tourists. It is estimated that over 50 million tourists visit Italy each year. Tourism is crucial to Italy’s economy, providing more than 60% of the country’s national income.
World travelers wishing to enter Italy for short-stays can do so by obtaining a Schengen Visa to Italy. San Marino and the Vatican City – two European microstates located within Italy – are considered part of the Schengen Area although they did not officially sign the particular documents of the agreement. Besides, no border control is performed for the Schengen countries surrounding them.
Italy is part of the Schengen Agreement, which consists of 26 European countries who can freely travel among them without a visa. In addition, several other non-Schengen countries can travel to Italy if they intend to only stay there for a maximum of 90 days. However, the rules change for any stay in Italy that exceeds 90 days.
Most foreign nationals who wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, for any reason, must apply for an Italy Long-Stay Visa.
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Types Of Italian Visas
Italy like many countries has two main visa types.
- Long-Term Visas
- Short-Stay Visas
Long-Term Visa For Italy
You need to apply for an Italian Long-Stay visa if you want to live in Italy for longer than three months to work, study, or join a family member who is an Italian citizen/resident.
All Schengen, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are free to travel to Italy without a visa if their travel does not exceed 90 days. In addition, several other countries that are not part of the aforementioned agreements can enter Italy visa-free for short stays as well, as mentioned above. But for stays longer than 90 days, different rules apply, although the rules are still based on whether or not you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
Anyone who wants to stay in Italy longer than 90 days, even EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, must get an Italian Residence Permit. You apply for a residence permit once you are already in Italy.
The difference is:
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not need an Italian Long-Stay Visa to enter Italy.
They can stay in Italy up to three months without having to meet any requirements. If they want to stay longer than three months, they have to register for residency in their local Italian municipality.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do have to apply for a Long-Stay Visa before they are allowed to enter Italy.
They also have to apply for an Italian Residence Permit within 8 days of entering Italy.
Short-Stay Visa For Italy
Italy is part of the Schengen Agreement, which consists of 26 European that have established visa-free and border control-free travel among them.
An Italian Schengen visa allows the holder to stay in Italy and any other Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days within six months.
Document Required For Applying Italian Schengen Visa
The following list of documents are required for any short-term Italian Schengen visa application:
Itallian Visa Application Form: Complete the form and then print it. Sign in at the end after you print it. Make sure the information you have given in this form complies with the information given in the rest of the required documents for an Italy visa.
Two Identical Photos: Your photos should be taken within the last three months and in compliance with Italy photograph visa requirements.
Valid Passport: You will need to submit your passport along with the rest of the visa required documents. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages in order to affix the visa and:
- Is not older than 10 years.
- Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Italy and the whole territory of Schengen.
- Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
- Proof of accommodation. I.e. A hotel reservation. Find and Book Hotels in Italy!
Proof of travel: - Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a reserved flight, to enter and leave Italy.
- This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your personal details.
Schengen travel visa insurance. Health insurance for the whole territory of Italy and the Schengen Area. Minimal health insurance coverage for the Schengen Zone is €30,000. - Travel health insurance policies for foreigners visiting Italy that fulfil Italian Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europe Assistance or AXA Assistance. Travel insurance policies issued by both companies are accepted by Italian authorities worldwide.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Italy. The Italian authorities want you to prove you have the necessary financial means to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy. You will need to prove you have the following amount depending on the length of your stay.
Up to 5 days: The overall amount is 269.60€ per person and 212.81 per two and more persons.
6-10 days: The daily amount is 44.93€ per person and 26.33€ per two and more persons.
11-20 days: The overall amount is 51.64€ per person and 25.82€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 36.67€ per person and 22.21€ per two and more persons.
Over 20 days: The overall amount is 206.58€ per person and 118.79€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 27.89€ per person and 17.04€ per two and more persons.
A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Italy, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.
Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
Tick the documents submitted and add this checklist to your application file.
How to Apply for Italian Visa – Italian Visa Application Procedure
You can Either contact your nearest Italian embassy or consulate
Or apply through the official VFS Global Italy Visa Centre website https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/ita/apply-visa
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