DO I NEED AN ENTRY VISA FOR ITALY?
To find out if you need an entry visa for Italy, visit the database Visa for Italy Visa for Italy. By selecting the country of which you are a citizen, the country where you have registered residence, and the length of stay and reason, you will see if you need to obtain a visa for entry into Italy. All types of visas list the documentation required.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE CAN I SUBMIT MY VISA APPLICATION?
Applications are submitted no more than six months or, for seafarers in the performance of their duties, no more than nine months before the start of the intended travel and, as a rule, no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended travel.
WHERE DO I APPLY FOR A VISA?
Visa applications shall be submitted to the visa office of the Embassy or Consulate of Italy of the place where you have registered residence. On the database Visa for Italy, you can find the contact details of the office where you shall apply for the visa. Just select the country where you reside and click on the “Confirm” button. For further information see Responsibility for issuing visas. List of Italian embassies and consulates abroad
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA?
Visit the database Visa for Italy. By selecting the country of which you are a citizen, the country where you have registered residence, and the length of stay and reasons, for each type of visa you will also find information on the documentation to be provided. In addition to the documentation indicated, the visa office may also request additional documents in connection with the visa application. We suggest you get specific information at the visa office competent for your area. List of Italian embassies and consulates abroad
HOW MUCH DOES A VISA COST?
The database Visa for Italy indicates the cost for each type of visa at the bottom of the page with the answers, after the list of required documents.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A VISA?
The time required by regulations for issuing visas varies according to the type of visa. Schengen visas (i.e. short-stay visas) take 15 days, which can be extended up to 45 days in the cases provided for by law (Article 23 of the Visa Code). In the case of national visas (i.e. long-stay visas), if the application is deemed admissible and after the necessary checks, the diplomatic-consular Mission shall issue the visa within 90 days of the date of application (30 days for paid employment, within the quotas envisaged by the so-called 2023-2025 Flows Decree, 30 days for family reunification and 120 days for self-employment). For more information see Terms for issuance of visas
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DURATION AND VALIDITY OF A VISA?
There are two timeframes for an entry visa:
A visa’s validity is generally longer that its duration, and it establishes from when and until when the visa can be used. The visa expires on the last day of its validity, and as from that date foreign nationals are required to leave the Schengen area, otherwise their presence becomes illegal. For example: if a Schengen visa has a duration of 30 days and a validity of 90 days starting today, this means it can be used to enter the Schengen area at any time in the next three months for a maximum of 30 days.