September 11, 2018

Italy-Visa Documentation

As always,before I begin this post,I would like to inform you that Visa and documentation are amended from time to time by Countries and the same is implemented by their Consulates/Embassies and High Commissions in the respective Countries.While the information provided below is the updated one at the time of writing this post and my endevour will be to keep it updated with the latest updates,it is highly recommended that you always check and confirm for any amendments and updates listed on the Consulate website as well.Visa fees is also subject to change from time to time.

All Indian citizens require a visa to enter Italy.This Country is a member of the Schengen States.Hence the visa stamped on your passport will read as a “SCHENGEN STATE” visa.Applications for the visa have to be submitted to the respective Consulate/Embassy of the Country you propose to visit.

Before applying for the Italian visa, applicants should ascertain the visa subclass or category/type of visa under which they wish to lodge their visa application.The category of visa you wish to apply for depends on the purpose of your visit.In order to avoid any inconvenience with your travel dates,it is recommended that you start the application procedure as early as possible but not before three (3) months prior to departure

Applicants are advised to make an appointment and submit your application atleast fifteen (15) days prior to departure but not earlier than three (3) months prior to departure

Business and Tourist Visa applications can be submitted at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi,and at the Consulates at Mumbai,Chennai,Bengaluru and Kolkata according to the applicant’s jurisdiction. Applications are lodged through “VFS Global Services”(VFS).These centres facilitate and handle the Visa Applications on behalf of the Italian Missions throughout India.

Please select the consular district in the State in which you have your place of residence to decide the Visa Application Centre where you can submit the visa application.A prior appointment needs to be scheduled is required for submitting the documents to the respective Visa Application Centre.

EMBASSY OF ITALY ,NEW DELHI

♦ Address : 50 N, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021

♦ Operating Hours (Consular Section) : Tuesday and Thursday-10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

♦ The states under its Jurisdiction are :Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh

♦ Visa Application Centres : The Addresses,Application submission days and times,Passport collection days and times, Helpline numbers along with maps and directions of the Visa Application Centres are listed here

CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY IN MUMBAI

♦ Address : Kanchanjunga Building, 72 G. Deshmukh Road, Mumbai 400026

♦ Operating Hours : Monday to Friday-10:00 am to 1:00 pm

♦ Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

♦ The states under its Jurisdiction are : Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu,the Union Territories of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. [The Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata will accept applications from residents of Nepal also].

♦Important Note : All visa categories except for Business Visa being submitted in Mumbai should be submitted minimum ten (10) working days prior to the travel date.For submission in the satellite(other) centres in West and South India minimum twelve (12) working days prior to the travel date is instructed by the Consulate.Business applications submitted in Mumbai should be submitted minimum three (3) working days prior to the travel date and in the satellite centres in West and South India a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the travel date

CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY IN KOLKATA

♦ Address : No 5G, New Rd, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027

♦ Operating Hours : Tuesday and Thursday-10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

♦ The states under its Jurisdiction are : Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Tripura, Sikkim and West Bengal; the Union Territory of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are accepted..

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Schengen Visa requires you to book an appointment online for submitting their visa applications at the Schengen Visa Application Centre in your city of residence

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR SCHENGEN VISA PROCEDURE

Effective 02 November 2015 Schengen Visa applicants need to provide Biometric fingerprint data along with a digital photograph. Please remember this data has to be a clear image and hence you should have clear fingers devoid of any injuries on your fingers at the time of appointment or any henna applications on the fingertips.Applicants are advised to wait until the injuries have healed before the appointment is scheduled and the henna application should either be removed or allowed to be cleared before your appointment date.

Biometric fingerprint data once provided is valid for the next five (5) years. Schengen Visa applied during those five (5) years will not require you to provide biometric fingerprint data again,but only the required documents specified by the consulate at the time of applying for the visa again .
You can schedule an appointment for the application of Italian Visa through this link Click here

BUSINESS VISA APPLICATION

This visa allows business people to make a short business visit to Italy for less than ninety (90) days travel. Business activities may include a conference, negotiation or exploratory business visit.

CHECKLIST FOR ITALY BUSINESS VISA APPLICATION

♦ Original Passport : The passport should have a validity of three (3) months from the date of departure from Italy and should have been issued within the last ten (10) years.It should have minimum two (2) blank pages (facing each other).Current and valid Passport is required to be submitted in original for the stamping of the Visa along with old passports if any.[Very importantly please do not staple the passports and instead bind it with a rubber band]. Also enclose a colour photocopy set of the bio pages of the current valid passport.Passports with a validity of twenty (20) years and handwritten passports are strictly not accepted.The bio-page of the passport should not have any observations made manually.Photocopies of the visa pages of all the previous visas issued for Schengen Countries,United States of America,United Kingdom and Canada/Australia have to be enclosed along with the passport bio pages [first and the last page] are required.

♦ Visa Application form : The Italian Schengen Visa form should be typed or neatly handwritten and completed with honesty.

If application is being submitted in North India,the form is a total of three (3) pages.It is accompanied by a declaration on its third (3) page.The applicant’s signature is required at the designated places in the form.Two signatures of the applicant are required.The first one is in column number thirty-seven (37) at the end of page two (2) and the second at the end of page three (3) of the Visa form.Please click here for the Italian Schengen Visa form when you apply from North India.

If application is being submitted in West-South and East India,the form is a total of four (4) pages.It is accompanied by a declaration on its fourth (4) page.The applicant’s signature is required at the designated places in the form.Two signatures of the applicant are required.The first one is in column number thirty-seven (37) at the end of page three (3) and the second at the end of page four (4) of the Visa form.Please click here for the Italian Schengen Visa form when you apply from West and East India.For a sample of the completed Visa form please click here.[Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd].

A separate declaration from the applicant/travel agent or representative has to be submitted to the Visa Centre. The declaration informs the applicants of the processing time taken by the Mission,that he/she is completely responsible of the visa being rejected due to inadequate or missing documents,that his/her application process is completely at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate.He/She is ready to abide by all the do’s and dont’s laid down by the Mission.

Please find the format of the Declaration Form to be submitted for North India Applications here. [Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd]

Please find the format of the Declaration Form to be submitted for West-South India and East India Applications here. [Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd]

For all applicants applying for an Italian visa,it is mandatory to submit a declaration on Data Protection along with the other documents. Please find the format of the declaration here .This is mandatory with every application(with or without biometric).For applicants under eighteen (18) years of age,signatures of both parents will be required.

Visa Form can be printed back to back or be on separate pages. Ensure not to leave any columns blank (Please specify as “None” or ‘NA” in the columns which is not applicable). Any incomplete submissions or false declarations will result in the application being rejected.Please submit the form and the documents at the Visa Application Center you have chosen in your application on the day of the appointment.

♦ Two Recent Colour Photographs : White background and without border of size 35 mm X 45 mm with 70-80 % image of face to be seen.[Photographs should not be more than six (6) months old].These photograph should be of the head and shoulders only against the white background with no facial coverings,hats or sunglasses.The photo should be straight faced looking directly into the camera.Two (2) pictures are to be enclosed with the application. The first (1st) picture has to be pasted on the application form at the designated place.The second (2nd) picture has to be clipped face down to the top side right hand corner of the passport.Please do not staple or use pins to attach it to the passport.They will not be accepted.[Sample Photo credit schengenvisainfo.com]

♦ Covering Letter in Original : Typed on the company letterhead and duly signed by a competent authority with a brief description about the company in the first paragraph followed by complete details like traveler name, designation, Passport Number, travel dates, purpose of visit, with a declaration on who is sponsoring the trip and address of the inviting company to be visited.The second part of the letter can include the applicant’s employment details stating your designation, length of employment with the firm,salary earnings and brief details of the proposed itinerary.If you wish to visit the other Schengen Countries after your stay in Italy,please provide brief details of the visits in the Covering Letter.The covering letter should be addressed to the respective Missions as follows.

For applications of Visas to the Embassy in Delhi,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Embassy of Italy,New Delhi.

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Mumbai,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Mumbai

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Kolkata,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Kolkata.

♦ Invitation Letter from Italy : To be procured from the inviting company in Italy in the Italian language in the prescribed format for each Mission.

The prescribed format for the Invitation letter for applications in North India is attached here.Copy of the “Visura Camarale”(Registration with the local Chamber of Commerce) of the inviting Company The prescribed format for the Invitation letter for applications in West-South and East India is attached here. Copy of the “Visura Camarale ” of the inviting Company (Registration with the local Chamber of Commerce)

The letter should contain the name and designation of the competent signing authority.This invitation has to be obtained in original.The letter should also accompany the photocopy of the pages of his/her picture id[(passaporto o carta d’identita) containing relevant data, signature and validity of the , containing relevant data, signature and validity.

[For applications in Mumbai,the Invitation Letter should have a guarantee clause to be included by the Italian Business Inviter. The Italian business operator must include a declaration to the effect that he is aware of the nature of penal responsibility he assumes in case the foreigner he has invited, sponsored or guaranteed, violates Italian immigration laws].

If you wish to visit the other Schengen Countries after your stay in Italy,please provide invitation details of the visits from those Schengen Countries.Like the covering letter,the invitation letter also should be addressed to the respective missions as follows.

For applications of Visas to the Embassy in Delhi,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Embassy of Italy,New Delhi.

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Mumbai,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Mumbai

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Kolkata,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Kolkata.

♦ Certificate of Registration : Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the host company also to be included along with the other documents.

♦ Financial Documents if employed: Original and updated salary account bank statements for the last six (6) months of the applicant with his/her name, account number and certified by the bank.Salary slips of the last three (3) months.Income Tax Return papers for the last three (3) years.A Certificate of Employment from his/her organisation along with a copy of the employment contract as a proof.

♦ Financial Documents if Self-employed and/or Company Owner : If you are self employed and a company owner then you need to submit a copy of the Business registration certificate or Partnership Deed and Proof of proprietorship and/or other proof of ownership if available. Personal and Business updated bank statements of the last three (3) months.Personal and Business Income Tax Return papers for the last two (2) assessment years.

♦ Financial Means : Foreign exchange with foreign exchange receipt or International credit card with credit limit statement. [American Express Corporate Card holders do not require to provide credit card limit statement]

♦ Travel Insurance : Travel Insurance for the entire period of stay in the Schengen Country needs to be enclosed in the application.

For all Italian Visa applications,the Travel Insurance should cover an additional fifteen (15) days after leaving the Schengen area).

The Travel and Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa have to be only from one of the approved list of Indian Travel Insurance Companies published by the Schengen State Consulates. For the list of approved Indian travel insurance companies click here. The insurance coverages should include

o Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro / 50,000 USD / 50,000 CHF per person.

o Coverage of all expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment.

o The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory.

o Applicants who wish to apply for a six months or one year multiple entry visa are not obliged to provide a 180 (365) days coverage. It is sufficient to submit an insurance policy covering the first journey.

♦ Airline Reservation : Confirmed return trip airline ticket printout for the entire period of stay in Italy.If he/she is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental.

♦Hotel Reservation: Proof of accommodation in Italy and other Schengen states if applicable.Confirmation of hotel reservations if booked should be enclosed along with the other documents.

♦ Visa Fees : All Visa fees and service fees are to be paid in cash or online as prescribed by the Embassy/(Subject to change from time to time)

♦Important points to note : Address or Residence proofs are required if his/her passport is issued out of his/her current work location.Two(2) additional proof of residence will be required.This can be either of the following

A letter from the applicants’ company Human Resources (HR) confirming your current stay address OR Leave and License Agreement OR Telephone Bill OR Electricity Bill OR Letter from the Bank about applicant’s address OR Gas bill OR Aadhaar card OR PAN card.

English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. and arranged in the order given above.All documents have to be in A4 size paper.

Please submit only photocopies of all documents except for those required in Original by the Embassy/Consulate.For safe measure please carry the original documents as the Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to request for the originals of any document. If deemed by the Consulate, additional documents and/or an interview may be requested. In case, the visa is not granted, the difference or the fee will not be refunded.

Validity of visa denotes time period during which an applicant can use the visa. Period of stay denotes amount of time the traveler can stay in the Schengen States.

TOURIST VISA APPLICATION

This visa allows travellers to visit Italy for a holiday,recreation or tourism.The visa given is for a stay of less than ninety (90) days.

CHECKLIST FOR ITALY TOURIST VISA APPLICATION

♦ Original Passport : The passport should have a validity of three (3) months from the date of departure from Italy and should have been issued within the last ten (10) years.It should have minimum two (2) blank pages (facing each other).Current and valid Passport is required to be submitted in original for the stamping of the Visa along with old passports if any.[Very importantly please do not staple the passports and instead bind it with a rubber band]. Also enclose a colour photocopy of the all the pages of the current valid passport.Passports with a validity of twenty (20) years and handwritten passports are strictly not accepted.The bio-page of the passport should not have any observations made manually.Photocopies of the visa pages of all the previous visas issued for Schengen Countries,United States of America,United Kingdom and Canada/Australia have to be enclosed along with the passport bio pages [first and the last page] are required.

♦ Visa Application form : The Italian Schengen Visa form should be typed or neatly handwritten and completed with honesty.

If application is being submitted in West and East India,the form is a total of four (4) pages.It is accompanied by a declaration on its fourth (4) page.The applicant’s signature is required at the designated places in the form.Two signatures of the applicant are required.The first one is in column number thirty-seven (37) at the end of page three (3) and the second at the end of page four (4) of the Visa form.Please click here for the Italian Schengen Visa form when you apply from West and East India.For a sample of the completed Visa form please click here.[Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd].

Please find the format of the Declaration Form to be submitted for North India Applications here. [Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd]

Please find the format of the Declaration Form to be submitted for West-South India and East India Applications here. [Courtesy: VFS Global Services Pvt.Ltd]

For all applicants applying for an Italian visa,it is mandatory to submit a declaration on Data Protection along with the other documents. Please find the format of the declaration here. This is mandatory with every application(with or without biometric).For applicants under eighteen (18) years of age,signatures of both parents will be required.

♦ Personal Covering Letter : Typed on a plain A4 size paper.The covering letter should contain the following details.If you wish to visit the other Schengen Countries after your stay in Italy,please provide brief details of the visits in the Covering Letter.

◊ Dates of travel and the complete detailed itinerary for Italy.
◊ Number of passengers travelling together.If the applicant is accompanied by family members, then all applications must include a copy of this covering letter.
◊ Details of the day to day schedule and confirmed hotel reservations in Italy.
◊ If the applicant is employed, then a introduction letter to be given by the Employer on the Company letterhead. The letter has to be signed and stamped by the Company HR or directorate mentioning your position and the duration of your service.Sanctioned “Leave Letter” or a “No Objection Certificate” [NOC] regarding the planned trip to Italy and Schengen States.

◊ Copy of Birth certificate (In case of a minor who has not reached the age of 18 years)

◊ If the applicant is a student under sixteen (16) years old,then a copy of the student college ID card and introduction letter of the School/College/University should be enclosed.

◊ Children under eighteen (18) years travelling alone, need a written consent letter of both parents or legal guardian, certified by public notary.

◊ Children under eighteen (18) years not travelling with both parents need a notarised No Objection Certificate(NOC) of the other, non-travelling parent or legal guardian, certified by public notary. Passport copies of both parents and/or legal guardian or copies of PAN cards or Driving Licenses of both have to be enclosed in all cases.

The covering letter should be addressed to the respective Missions as follows.

For applications of Visas to the Embassy in Delhi,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Embassy of Italy,New Delhi.

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Mumbai,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Mumbai

For applications of Visas to the Consulate in Kolkata,the covering letter should be addressed to The Visa Officer, Consulate General of Italy,Kolkata.

◊ If applicant is married,then the copy of the Marriage Certificate should also be enclosed. If for some reason the applicant is married but is unable to provide evidence of marital status as a certificate or in the passport,then a copy of the ration card can be provided.

Here is a sample of the personal covering letter for application of a Tourist visa for Italy

♦ Financial Documents if employed : Updated salary account bank statements for the last three (3) months of the applicant with his/her name, account number and certified by the bank.Salary slips of the last three (3) months.Income Tax Return papers for the last two (2) assessment years. A Certificate of Employment from his/her organisation along with a copy of the employment contract as a proof. In case of family applications,only the head of family needs to attach bank statements and personal Income Tax Return papers for the last two (2) assessment years.

♦ Financial Documents if Self-employed and/or company owner : If you are self employed and a company owner then you need to submit a copy of the Business registration certificate or Partnership Deed and Proof of proprietorship and/or other proof of ownership if available. Personal and Business updated bank statements of the last three (3) months.Personal and Business Income Tax Return papers for the last two (2) assessment years.

♦ Travel Insurance : Travel Insurance for the entire period of stay in the Schengen Country needs to be enclosed in the application.

For all Italian Visa applications,the Travel Insurance should cover an additional fifteen (15) days after leaving the Schengen area).

o Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro / 50,000 USD / 50,000 CHF per person.

o Coverage of all expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment.

o The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory.

♦Hotel Reservation: Proof of accommodation in Italy and other Schengen states if applicable.Confirmation of hotel reservations,tours booked and proof of payments made for the same.In case of a family application,hotel reservations proof for all the travelling members.If the reservation is under one name then it should be under the head of the family or principal applicant’s name.A Certificate of the travel agency confirming all the reservations of an organised package/trip or any other appropriate document indicating the travel arrangements will be an added advantage.

♦ Visa Fees : All Visa fees and service fees are to be paid in cash or online as prescribed by the Embassy/(Subject to change from time to time)

♦ Important points to note :Address or Residence proofs are required if his/her passport is issued out of his/her current work location.Two(2) additional proof of residence will be required.This can be either of the following

English translations must accompany the documents not originally in English. and arranged in the order given above.All documents have to be in A4 size paper.

Please submit only photocopies of all documents except for those required in Original by the Embassy/Consulate. .For safe measure please carry the original documents as the Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to request for the originals of any document. If deemed by the Consulate, additional documents and/or an interview may be requested. In case, the visa is not granted, the difference or the fee will not be refunded.

Validity of visa denotes time period during which an applicant can use the visa. Period of stay denotes amount of time the traveler can stay in the Schengen States.

VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN ITALY

If the relative/family/sponsor are Italian or European Union citizens,then the following documents are required in addition to the above mentioned Tourist Visa documents as follows.

A prior appointment needs to be scheduled with the respective Visa Application Centre. For Family Members Of European Union or Italian National who are visiting or accompanying European Union or Italian National

Visa for spouse of European Union/Italian national please find the checklist of documents here

Visa for mother/father of European Union/Italian national please find the checklist of documents here

Visa for mother/father in law of European Union/Italian national please find the checklist of documents here

Visa for son/daughter of European Union/Italian national please find the checklist of documents here

Visa for son/daughter of European Union/Italian national’s spouse please find the checklist of documents here

Visa for brother/sister of European Union/Italian national please find the checklist of documents here

Please complete the attached visa form for this category of visa

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

[Please note that individual Schengen States may require applicant to present proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by the Schengen State’s competent authority.If applicant is travelling to several Schengen States, proof of accommodation and travel arrangements in each of them has to be provided.]

VISA PROCESSING TIME

The processing time under normal circumstances is a minimum of fifteen (15) calendar days after the submission at any VFS Visa Application Center in India.However this period is extendable to thirty (30) and sometimes sixty (60) days if a more detailed examination of your application and/or additional documents are required.

PLEASE NOTE

Application processing time counts from the time an admissible application is submitted at a diplomatic mission or a Visa Application Centre. ‘Admissible‘ means that the mission has decided that the Schengen conditions for submitting an application have been met.

 To conclude,the decision to grant the visa is at the discretion of the Consulate and the Embassy.

 Please note that every application will be considered on its own merits.

 Possession of a visa does not guarantee entry into Italy

 The duration of stay in Italy is determined by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority in Italy upon arrival.

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Italy-Visa Documentation

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