This article will go over Italy’s long-stay visas, the different types of long-stay tickets, the specifications for the class, the requirements, and more.
However, Italy is part of the Schengen Agreement, which consists of 27 European countries that can freely travel among them without a visa. In addition, citizens of several other non-Schengen countries are permitted to visit Italy for a maximum of 90 days.
The rules change if you stay in Italy for more than 90 days.
Most foreign nationals who wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days for any reason must apply for a Long-Stay Visa in Italy.
What is an Italy Long-Stay Visa?
A D-Visa or a National Visa is another name for a Long-Stay Visa. If you intend to stay in for more than 90 days, you must apply for this type of visa. If you want to live in Italy, you’ll need more than just a long-stay visa.
You can enter Italy with an Italian long-stay visa. Following that, you must obtain your Italian residence permit, which allows you to stay in Italy for more than 90 days. If you are in Italy on a short-term visa, you cannot apply for an Italian residence permit (Schengen).
The type of Italy long-stay visa you apply for is determined by the reason you want to live in . So, if you want to visit Italy to study, work, or visit a family member, you must apply for the appropriate visa.
The following are the most common types of Italian long-stay visas:
Types of Italian long-stay Visa
- The Work Visa:
- The Study Visa:
- The Family Visa:
- The Self-Employed Visa:
- Retirement Visa:
The Work Visa:
The Italy Work visa is the type of visa available for foreign nationals who want to move to Italy to engage in salaried work. You already need to have a job in Italy before you can apply.
The Study Visa:
This is also one of the long stay visa mainly for people travelling to the country for the purpose of study. Another important thing to know is, the visa is for students over 18 who are already enrolled in an Italian educational institution.
The Family Visa:
This is another long stay visa in the country of Italy which is available to foreign nationals who want to join a family member who has Italian citizenship or an Italian permanent residence permit.
The Self-Employed Visa:
The Italian self-employed visa is available to entrepreneurs who wish to open a business or self-employed individuals wanting to work in the country.
The Italy Working Holiday Visa – which is a type of visa available only to nationals aged 18-30 from countries who are part of a working holiday program along with Italy.
Retirement Visa:
The retirement visa is also available for those persons who can financially support themselves while expecting retirement in the country.
Who needs an Italy Long-Stay Visa?
Almost everyone needs an Italy long-stay visa, even the non-Schengen and non-EU nationals who are exempt from the country Schengen visa.
So, you need to apply for a long-stay visa unless you are from:
An EU member state
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Norway
Switzerland, etc.
How to apply for an Italy Long-Stay Visa:
You must apply for the Italy long-stay visa at the appropriate location in your country that handles visa applications. One of the following possibilities:
Representation of Italy (such as an Italian embassy or consulate).
A Visa Application Center, such as VFS Global, COX and Kings, or TLS International, to which Italy has outsourced visa applications.
Another Schengen country’s representation to which Italy has outsourced visa applications (if there is no Italian Representation in your country).
After deciding where to submit your application, you must:
- Schedule an appointment.
- Download and complete the Application for a Long-Term Visa to the country.
- Gather all of the documents required to support your application.
- Submit the documents and the application form in person on the date of your appointment.
- Pay the visa processing fee in c. The fee varies depending on the type of visa you seek. Even if you do not receive a visa, it is non-refundable.
The application process varies slightly depending on the type of Italy long-stay visa you seek. (See the types of Italy long-stay visas above).
What are the requirements for an Italy Long-Stay Visa?
The documents that are needed to support an Italy long-stay visa application change based on your purpose of travel as well as your country. Different countries may require specific, additional documents. Further, depending on the type of visa you apply for, you may need authorization from competent Italian authorities. (See the types of Italy long-stay visas listed above.)
However, there is a set of standard documents everyone must have, such as:
- A long-stay visa application form, completed, dated, and signed.
- Two passport pictures in line with Schengen requirements.
- Valid passport/travel documents with at least two blank pages. It must have been issued in the past ten years and be valid for another three months after you intend to leave in the country.
- Photocopies of your passport’s bio-data pages as well as all previous visas.
Health insurance of at least €30,000, covering all possible arising medical emergencies. - Civic documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.
- Paid visa fee, which changes depending on your purpose of travel.
The Italian visa application center or representation in which you apply will provide information regarding any specific documents that you need.
After you enter Italy:
After you enter with a long-stay visa, you have 8 days to approach the Italian authorities and request a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) which is what authorizes you to stay in Italy long-term.
The length of time that a residence permit is issued depends on the type of long-stay visa that you have applied for in the country.
Even EU nationals who do not need a visa have to declare their presence with the local authorities in It if they wish to stay in the country for more than 90 days. The same applies to the family members of Italian citizens (spouse, legal partner, child, or parent); however, they must first apply for a long-stay visa before declaring their presence with the local authorities.
Foreign nationals – that is non-EU citizens – may enter Italy provided that they hold both a valid passport and, if required, an entry visa issued in their country of origin.
As soon as foreign nationals enter the country, they should apply for a residence permit based on the same motivations specified on their entry visa.
A residence permit is not required for business, tourism, short visits or study, provided that the stay does not exceed 3 months.
EU nationals do not need a residence permit to stay in this country.
Bottoms Line:
congratulation for having a way out for your long stay visa in the country of Italy, incase of any thing lacking which we forget to add, questions for where you don’t understand; don’t hesitate to contact us, we are here 24/7 for you. Good luck.
