Visa Information for Italy

This section gives you all details on visa rules and information. Here, you will find detailed information on all kinds of Visa, rules on visitor policies, visa forms and visa fees.
Italy is a Schengen State and has some specific visa guidelines. Kindly go through the following note: Schengen Territory: The citizens of India can get short stay visa for a period that ranges from one to ninety days, which will be valid for all countries of the Schengen Territory i.e. Austria, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland. The Schengen Convention is an innovative initiative taken for freedom of circulation of people. According to the same, foreigners having a valid stay permit delivered by one of the Schengen states can leave and later re-enter the Schengen Territory without taking visa again, but with a condition that they have a valid passport along with relevant travel document and a multiple entry visa.However, application for visas have to be submitted with the relevant Consular authorities, which are to be determined according to the following criteria

1. If the applicant intends to stay in one country only, the application should be submitted at the Representation of the same country.

2. If the applicant intends to travel to more than a few member States, the application should be submitted at the Representation of the country where the main point of travel lies mentioning the duration of stay.

3. If the main destination cannot be determined, the competent Consular office for processing the application will be one of the countries of the first port of entry into the Schengen Territory.

4. The long term visas are still subject to the Law of the country of destination. They must be applied for at the Consular Authorities of the concerned member of the states.

 

Visa Categories

• Tourist

• Business

• Transit

• Seamen

• Student

Tourist

Note: It is to be noted that in the Eastern Region (in Kolkata VFS): From March 01, 2012 onwards the visa fees will be accepted only in the form of CASH.

• Application form completely filled and signed by applicant. The application form must be printed on A4 size paper and the print should be taken in back to back page.

• One latest passport size colored photograph (35 x 40 mm wide) with white background, 70-80% face coverage. The photograph should be taken with a digital camera with high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper. The photograph should not be older than 6 months. Applicants must note that the photograph should be pasted, not stapled.

Applicant’s Passport / Travel Document must:

• Have been issued within the last 10 years, and its validity must not exceed 10 yrs.

• Should have a validity of 3 months beyond the intended stay.

• Have at least 2 blank pages.

Applicants should have an overseas medical insurance with minimum coverage of Euro 30,000/- for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses. (Photocopy should be submitted). The list of some of approved Indian Travel Insurance Companies offering Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa is as follows:

• APOLLO MUNICH (for the age group of 6 months to 70 years).

• BAJAJ ALLIANZ (for the age group of 6 months to 70 years).

• FUTURE GENERALI (for the age group of 6 months to 55 years).

• HDFC ERGO (for the age group of 3 months to 70 years).

• ICICI LOMBARD (for the age group of 3 months to 51 years).

• IFFCO Tokio (for the age group of 3 months to 70 years).

• NATIONAL (for the age group of 6 months to 80 years).

• RELIANCE (for the age group of 3 months to 70 years).

• ROYAL SUNDARAM (for the age group of 3 months to 70 years).

• TATA/AIG (for the age group of 6 months to 55 years).

• ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY (for the age group of 6 months to 60 years).

• UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY (for the age group of 0 months to 65 years).

In case of Applicants applying at Eastern region (in Kolkata VFS):- Travel Health Insurance submitted for all applications must be valid for 15 days beyond the intended duration of stay in the Schengen Area.
Other Requirements:

• The travel itinerary with travel dates, including a return flight reservation or ticket.

• A set of photocopy of Applicant’s Passport.

• Proof of social or professional status (such as cover letter giving the purpose of the tour or leave authorization from the employer of the applicant.).

Documentary proof of availability of sufficient financial means of the applicant to survive in the country:

• Salary slips / certificates of the past three months and Form F 16.

• Status of personal bank account for the past six months, in original letter from the bank. OR Original and one photocopy of Bank Guarantee (“fidejussione bancaria”) from sponsor in Italy (if any) covering the expenses for the duration of stay as per the foreign exchange value (see above mentioned table). The original will be returned with the passport.

• Income tax Challans (last three years) and Form 16

• Foreign exchange endorsement on the passport and receipt.

• Credit card copy with statement of credit limit.

Documentary proof of accommodation:

• Confirmed hotel bookings. OR

• Invitation letter from the sponsor in Italy (“Lettera di invito”, see attached form).

The Visa processing time is up to 10 to 15 working days. In addition, the Embassy reserves the right to ask for further documents.
In case of minor children (application to be signed by both parents), an approved Leave Application from school needs to be submitted along with the application form. If the minor is traveling unaccompanied or with any one of the parents an "Affidavit" attested by the relevant Home Department (as per their place of residence) should be enclosed with the application form. Supporting Documents: Verification of original documents; i.e. Ration card (original and English translation), duly attested, in case the Applicant is the parent of the inviting person living in Italy. If any change has occurred in this regard then an adequate evidence of residence should be submitted (telephone / electricity bill etc.). In addition, it should be noted that additional documents may be required in certain cases. Moreover, applicant could be asked to appear for personal interview.
Optional Services:-
Charges: INR 510/- (Inclusive of government service tax 12.36%) only for Cochin Applicants.
Courier Charges: INR 300/- (Inclusive of government service tax 12.36%).
Form filling Charges: INR 102/- (Inclusive of government service tax 12.36%).
Alternate options for payment of visa fees in cash, is available at Bangalore, Chennai and Cochin centers.
Alternate options for payment of visa fees in cash, is available at our Mumbai center for a cash handling charges of INR 57/- only (inclusive of service tax 12.36%).
The Banking Instrument must be payable favoring 'VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED'. It should be noted that one Banking Instrument will be accepted per applicant. Alternatively applicants applying at VFS Delhi & Jalandhar have the option to pay visa fees in cash also for which service charges of INR 57/- (inclusive of service tax 12.36%) per application will be applicable.
Fees for Conformity of Translation:-
Conformity of translation from English to Italian, per page -                                             INR 740/-
Conformity of translation from Italian to English, per 2 page -                                          INR 1025/-
Passport Photocopy Attestation per page -                                                                           INR 575/-.
VFS Legalization Charges -                                                                                                        INR 140/-.
For West & South the Banking Instrument should be payable at Mumbai.
For Eastern Region Only:-
As per “The Consulate General of Italy Kolkata” the visa fees should be paid in the form of CASH only.
There is a service charge of INR 674 /- levied per application over and above the visa fees. The courier facility is available at INR 300 /- per application & SMS facility is available at INR 81/- per applicant (optional) & Form filling Charges: INR 102/- (Inclusive of government service tax 12.36%).
All the above fees have to be paid in CASH only are non-refundable.