Italy Visa
Traveling to Italy
Rome, Florence, Venice - Italy is home to arguably the most beautiful cities in the world. A center for historical art, culture, and Italian cuisine, the country attracts millions of tourists every year to its innumerable delights.
You may need a visa to travel to Italy, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed). There are numerous types of visas for Italy, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Italy visas have different Italy visa requirements and validity periods. In general, Italy visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Italy is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country). Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Italy will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.
Italy visa types
Short Term Visas (Type C)
Schengen Visas
- Business
- Cultural
- Medical
- Official Visit
- Other
- Sports
- Study (Italy Schengen Student visa)
- Tourism (Italy Tourist visa)
Visiting Family or Friends
Long Term Visas (Type D, National)
The below long stay visas to Italy allow you to stay in the country for up to one year, and are typically available for the following purposes:
- Family Reunification
- Religious reasons
- Medical care
- Self Employment
- Sport
- Diplomatic Mission
- Adoption of subordinate employment
- Other
Transit Visa (Type A)
- Italy Transit visa
Italy visa requirements
The following documents are typically required for all visas to Italy.
Passport
Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Italy)
Visa fee
Your Italian visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Adult Schengen visas fees are traditionally €80; the most long-term Italian fees are higher.
Personal photos
Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions).
Additional documents:
You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Italy visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Italy visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:
Biographical documents
Identity documents, such as your birth certificate
Financial materials
Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance
Accommodation
Information about where you will stay in Italy
Educational materials
Proof of university education, etc.
Proof of medical insurance
Please note that all documents must be written in Italian or English (or accompanied by official translations into either). '
Italy visa application
Applicants for Schengen visas to Italy (short term) should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.
- Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Italy i.e. what type of Italy visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (tourism, medical, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single-entry visa for Italy or the multiple entry visa for Italy will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Italy cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply (application destination)
Find your physical application destination (place where you will submit your visa application). This is typically the Italian Embassy/Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live. For more information, see “where to apply.” - Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
Schengen visas applicants should apply for their Italy visa online, through the official visa portal system, here.
If you are unable to access the online form, you will likely apply directly through your local Italy mission. Regardless of how you apply (online or in person) you will typically need to officially submit your application through your local Italy embassy/consulate/visa application center, in order to fulfill various in-person requirements.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Italy visa type. - Pay your Italy visa fee
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may be able to pay for your visa at this stage of the application (online). Alternatively, you will be asked to submit payment at step 4 (your visa interview).
- Schedule your visa interview
Almost all Italy visa applicants, even those who apply online, must attend a visa appointment at their application destination (local Italy embassy/consulate/visa application center). Scheduling an Italy visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months—if you apply through the Italy visa portal, you should be able to schedule your interview online. Alternatively, you may need to reach out to the embassy/consulate/visa application center directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
- Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit your biometric information, be interviewed, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Italy visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.
Seekers of long term national visas to Italy do not apply online, but apply directly through their local Italian Embassy/Consulate or visa application center. Applicants should access the long-stay visa application form here.
Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a kind of long term Italy Working visa you may need to apply for an Italy Work Permit—other long term visas may require you to apply for a residence permit for Italy. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek an Italy Work Permit or a residence permit for Italy, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.
Where to apply for Italy visa
Italy visa application processing occurs at Italy embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. Depending on the type of Italy visa you seek, you may be able to apply online (the Italy Schengen visa application—for example—is online).
However, even online applicants must fulfill the in-person Italy visa requirements, which can only be fulfilled at physical Italy embassies/consulates and visa application centers. If you are outside of Italy and are applying for an Italy visa, you will apply through the Italy embassy/consulate or visa application center where you live.
When to apply for Italy Visa
Applicants for short-stay visas to Italy are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.
Italy visa processing time
The Italy visa application processing time varies. Factors which determine how long it will take to get your visa include the following:
- Italy visa type
- Application destination
- Your nationality
- The completeness of application
Depending on all of these factors, you could expect to receive a visa in days, weeks, or even months after you apply.
Italy visa FAQ
Depending on where you are from, you may need a visa to enter the country, regardless of how long you intend to stay. Some nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Italy. Regardless of your nationality, however, you will need a visa if you intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days and you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Get a travel document for Italy (visa) by submitting an application to your local Italy embassy/consulate/visa application center, meeting the visa requirements, and paying your visa fee.
The amount of money you need depends on the Schengen country you are visiting. You will likely need to show several months proof of salary/bank statements in order to meet the Schengen proof of funds requirement.
Choose from among the various types of Italy visa (Italy Working visa, etc.) you need to apply for by considering your reason for travel and how long you want to stay in the country. These factors will determine the type of visa you need. In addition to visa type, you should also determine how many entries you need i.e. whether you need a multiple entry visa for Italy or a single entry visa for Italy.
Rejected Schengen visa applicants can appeal the decision, reapply, or apply for another travel document for Italy (different Italy visa).
