Many Neighbouring country applicants don’t know the requirements for Italy Visa; this article brings all the requirements, how to apply, some questions that worry applicants are always our primary concern here, etc.
The Republic of Italy, the world’s seventh-largest economy, is situated in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a land area of 301,340 km2 and a population of 60,483,973. It arose from the Roman Empire, one of the greatest European empires ever.
As a result, the country now has several castles and palaces and many buildings in diverse architectural styles like Romanesque, Gothic, Mannerist, Baroque, and Neoclassical. It also includes a 7,600-kilometer coastline, lovely lakes, breathtaking cliffs, and numerous green national parks.
With all of its natural and man-made attractions, Italy is a great tourist magnet. It is estimated that around 50 million tourists visit Italy each year. Tourism is vital to the Italian economy, accounting for more than 60% of the national income.
Italy Neighbouring countries Visa Requirements.
The Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passports and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. These Schengen countries are also called the neighboring countries. They have some elements within the broader area of the EU’s freedom, security, and justice policy; it mainly functions as a single jurisdiction under a standard visa policy for international travel purposes. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement and the 1990 Schengen Convention, both signed in Schengen, Luxembourg.
Documents for an Italian Schengen visa application must be completed or translated into English or Italian. However, for the applicant to get a Schengen visa, you must present the following documents listed below:
1. Valid passport
- At least two blank pages
- With the applicant’s signature
- Not more than ten years old
- Valid for at least three months after the expiration of the requested visa
- Previous passport, if applicable.
2. Passport-sized photos
- Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
- Plain white background
- Taken within the past six months
- Forward-facing with facial features visible and clear
3. Completed application form.
4. Biometric data (Fingerprints)
5. Italy Visa fee.
6. Documents pertinent to your trip.
- Travel Itinerary or plan
- Proof of return to the country of residence or forward ticket to another country
- Reason for travel to Italy
- Flight reservations
- Proof of financial means (bank statements over the last 3-month period, personal properties, and other assets)
- Proof of accommodations (with booking reference number, location, and hotel contact number).
7. Travel medical insurance
- Valid through the entire visa period
- Valid in all Schengen countries
- Applicants are to purchase a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR.
- Insurance conditions such as validity, duration, and extent of your coverage to be clearly stated on the confirmation letter or insurance document
Employment letter with the following information:
- Name and address of employer
- Nature of employment
- Starting date of employment
- Salary
- Purpose of travel
- Duration of time off from work for travel
Scans (copies) of:
- Personal ID page of the passport.
- Older Schengen visas (if relevant).
- Residence permits (if relevant).
Applicants below the age of 18 are required to submit the following additional requirements:
1. Copy of birth certificate
- If the minor applicant is adopted, adoption documents are required
- when the minor applicant’s parents are divorced, divorce papers are required
- If the minor applicant’s parents are deceased, death certificates are required.
2. Letter of consent from both parents and legal guardians.
3. Passport copies of both parents and legal guardians
It may also be necessary to submit supplementary documents about your travel visa application.
Italy Neighbouring countries Visa Fees
The standard fee for the application of an Italian Schengen visa is 80 EUR. However, particular applicants are exempted from fees, such as most student visas and visas for children below the age of 6. Applicants will probably have to pay a separate, non-refundable service payment with their application.
Italy Visa Application Steps
1. Prepare all the required documents.
2. Select “Tourism” as the reason for travel on the visa application form.
3. Decide the number of entries needed to Italy or the Schengen area.
4 Fill out the application form.
- Application procedures for an Italian Schengen visa may vary, depending on where you are applying from.
- Applicants may be able to apply online through the E-application system. Complete the form and print it.
- Applicants can also download, complete, and print the standard Schengen visa online form.
- The completed application form must be submitted to the Italian Consulate or visa processing center in both cases.
- Please check this link for more information on the application process for an Italian Schengen visa. Select your nationality and other information regarding your visa.
5. Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable.
Most applications require an in-person appointment at the nearest Italian Consulate or visa center to apply. Alternatively, applications may be submitted without a prior appointment during regular operating hours. Contact the Italian Consulate or visa center to determine if there is a need to schedule an appointment.
6. Submit your Italy Schengen visa application.
- Note: Applicants must submit their application at least 15 days before the date of travel but not earlier than six months before the date of travel.
- Generally, applications must be submitted in person to the Italian Consulate or visa processing center. However, there may be a few differences in the submission procedures.
- Applicants will likely be required to submit their fingerprints (biometric data). Children below the age of 12 are exempted from biometric data collection.
- Applicants who submitted their fingerprints within the last 59 months will likely not be asked to resubmit.
- Applicants may also be asked to come back on another date for an interview regarding their trip.
- Pay the visa application fee.
When to Apply for Italy Schengen Visa
The applicants must submit their Visa application form at least 15 days before the travel date but not earlier than six months before the travel date.
Where to Apply
Applicants are to submit their applications through the Italian Consulate or a visa application center with a link with Italy.
In countries without any Italian consulate, applicants are to submit their applications through a Schengen state consulate representing the interests of an Italian consulate.
Applications should be submitted only in the country of citizenship or residence.
Italy Visa Processing Time
Generally, it takes approximately 15 days to process Italy Schengen visa applications. However, in some cases, it might take longer.
Italy Schengen Visa Fees:
The standard fee for the application of an Italian Schengen visa is 80 EUR. However, particular applicants are exempted from fees, such as most student visas and visas for children below the age of 6. Applicants will probably have to pay a separate, non-refundable service payment with their application.
For approved visa applications
Applicants must ensure that the information on the visa is complete and valid upon collection.
Applicants who have received their Schengen Visa for Italy should remember the following things:
- Inform the Italian Consulate or visa application center of any change to your itinerary after submitting applications.
- The approval of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry upon arrival to Italy or other countries in the Schengen area.
- Applicants are to come with additional documents concerning financial means or accommodation to gain entry to Italy or other Schengen areas.
For denied Italy visa applications:
- If your application for an Italian Schengen visa is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days.
- The appeal process begins by picking up the standard-issued visa refusal form, which also details the reason for the rejection and the procedures of the appeal process.
- Appeals are considered by the Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale or T.A.R. of Lazio.
- A non-refundable fee must be paid for the appeal to be processed.
Some Likely Questions from Applicants
How much does a Schengen visa for Italy cost?
Starting January 2020, Schengen visa application fees are €80 and €40 for children between 6 to 12 years old. For citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, application fees are 40€.
Note that the service provided by VFS incurs an extra cost.
What are the financial subsistence requirements when applying for an Italy Schengen Visa?
According to Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, for stays of up to five days, you need to prove you have access to €269.60 for your overall trip, with more extended stays requiring you to prove you have funds amounting to between €27.89 and €51.64 per person per day, depending on the length of your trip, amount of travelers and plans.
What is the processing time to obtain my visa to Italy?
Processing time depends on the country in which you are applying as well as your situation:
It may take 7 to 15 days after your appointment with some countries.
Processing is longer from May to September as well as in December.
It is strongly advised to apply a minimum of 2 or 3 weeks in advance, but applications can not be processed earlier than six months before your planned departure date.
What is Schengen travel insurance?
Travel insurance is mandatory to obtain an Italy visa in the Schengen area. This insurance must cover a minimum of €30.000 for emergency medical expenses (such as injury, illness, hospitalization, and repatriation).
You will need to enclose a travel insurance certificate with your application file.
Why choose AXA Schengen Insurance?
AXA’s Schengen travel insurance is certified by embassies and consulates and meets all the requirements to obtain a Schengen visa.
When you subscribe to AXA Schengen insurance, your certificate will be sent to you by email immediately after your online subscription. All you need to do is print the certificate and enclose it with your application file.
Under certain conditions, it can be refunded if your visa application is denied.
AXA’s Low-Cost Travel Insurance only costs 0.99€ a day and will cover the possible expenses linked to your or your loved ones’ emergency medical needs.
Do I need a Schengen visa to travel to Italy?
As part of the Schengen area, Italy requires its visitors to apply for an Italy Schengen visa for stays shorter than 90 days. This does not apply to all countries.
Some, such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico, have visa-free arrangements with the European Union. Therefore, citizens of these countries do not need a Schengen visa to visit Italy. Starting in 2021, they must apply for an ETIAS visa waiver to travel.
Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver deal with the EU, such as China, India, Russia, and all African nations, need a Schengen visa to visit Italy, even if they are permanent residents of countries enjoying visa waiver arrangements. If you are an Indian citizen but an Italy resident, you will need a Schengen visa. You will also need a Schengen visa if you are a Nigerian citizen but an Italy resident. Whether you need a Schengen visa depends on your nationality, not your place of residence.
A Schengen visa covers travel in all countries within the Schengen Area of Europe (countries that have abolished border controls between each other).
Read also Italy Retirement Visa here.
Bottom Lines:
Italy Schengen Visa Requirements is an article detailing the requirements for Schengen countries.
However, the post gives the requirements, travel insurance, visa fees, where and how to apply, some likely questions, etc.
