Note
a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas, and
nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen countries
are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within the borders
of all 15. However, since Schengen states are still free to
decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations may
vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen country
may require one for other Schengen countries. This has various
practical implications; for example, travellers may be refused
entry to a Schengen country for which they do not require
a visa if holding onward tickets to a country for which they
do require a visa. Travellers should check with the authorities
of the country they intend to visit as to whether they require
a visa. If visiting more than one Schengen country, the traveller
should apply for the Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate
of the first or main country to be visited.
There are three types of Schengen visa: Airport Transit, Transit
and Short-stay visas. For stays of over three months, a long-stay
visa will be required, and will be valid only in the country
of issue.
b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and
the Vatican City.
PASSPORTS
Passport must be valid for 3 months beyond the validity of
the visa required by all except:
1. passport holders (nationals) of Austria, Belgium, Croatia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden and Switzerland with a valid national Identity
card.
VISAS
Required by all visitors, except the following for stays of
up to three months:
a) nationals of countries referred to in the above table.
b) passport holders (nationals) of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong (Special Administration
Region), Israel, Korea (Republic), Macau (Special Administration
Region ), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland,
Uruguay and Venezuela
c) airport transit passengers that are continuing their journey
to a third country by a connecting aircraft or the same aircraft,
within 48 hours, provided they are holding tickets with reserved
seats and also valid documents for onward travel (except nationals
of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Democratic Republic), Ethiopia,
Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia and
Sri Lanka, who always require a visa, unless granted indefinite
leave to remain in the United Kingdom).
As the above list is liable to change at short notice, visitors
are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant
Consulate or Embassy before travelling.
Types
of visa and cost
The administration fee for visas ranges from £16.80
to £23.50. This must be paid in advance on presentation
of the application and is non refundable. This applies even
if the visa is not issued.
There are 3 types of Schengen visa:
 Airport
transit and Transit: £6.70
Short-stay
(for tourism, business and study purposes) for up to 30 days:
£16.80
Short-stay
(for tourism, business and study purposes) for over 30 days:
£23.50
Prices are approximate and subject to frequent changes due
to currency exchange rates. Visitors are advised to check
with the Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
Note
Children and Spouses of EU nationals (providing the spouse’s
passport and original marriage certificate is presented),
and the nationals of some other countries, receive their visas
free of charge (enquire at the relevant Embassy or Consulate
for details).
Validity
Short stay (single and multiple entry): valid for 6 months
from date of issue for stays of a maximum of 3 months per
entry.
Transit (single and multiple entry): valid for 5 days with
up to 2 entries. This category of visa cannot be extended
and therefore a new application must be made each time.
Application
Applications should be made to the Consulate (or Consular
section at Embassy), see the Contacts
section. Postal applications are not acceptable.
Travellers visiting only one 1 Schengen country should apply
to the Consulate of that country.
Travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should
apply to either the Consulate of the country chosen as the
main destination or the country they will enter first (if
they have no main country destination).
Application
requirements
Tourist
visa
a) Passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than
the validity of the requested visa, with at least one blank
page to affix the visa.
b) The cmpleted application form.
c) One photograph (passport size).
d) United Kingdom residence permit, valid for at least 3 months
beyond the expiry date (for United Kingdom applicants).
e) Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of the
stay (cash and credit cards are not accepted as adequate proof
of financial means. Students applying for a visa is defined
as financial means no less than £700 per month).
f) Proof of suitable accommodation.
g) Proof of occupation. For example a letter from solicitor,
employer or Chamber of Commerce.
Business
visa
a) Passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than
the validity of the requested visa, with at least one blank
page to affix the visa.
b) A completed application form.
c) One photograph (passport size).
d) United Kingdom residence permit valid for at least 3 months
beyond the expiry date (for United Kingdom applicants).
e) A letter from employer addressed to the Italian Consulate
General explaining the duration and purpose of the visit.
If self-employed, a letter from a company secretary, solicitor,
accountant, or local Chamber of Commerce. Applicants in the
United Kingdom should also arrange for an invitation from
the host Italian company or firm. This should be faxed directly
to the Italian Consulate General in London (fax number : (020)
7823 1609) at least 48 hours before submitting the visa application.
Student visa
a) The passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer
than the validity of the requested visa, with at least one
blank page to affix the visa.
b) A completed visa application form.
c) One photograph. (passport size)
d) United Kingdom residence permit valid for at least 3 months
beyond the expiry date (for United Kingdom applicants).
e) A letter from the employer addressed to the Italian Consulate
General explaining the duration and purpose of the visit.
If self-employed, a letter from an company secretary, solicitor
accountant or local Chamber of Commerce. Applicants in the
United Kingdom should also arrange for an invitation from
the host Italian company or firm. This should be faxed directly
to the Italian Consulate General in London (fax number: (020)
7823 1609) at least 48 hours before submitting the visa application.
f) Full medical insurance is required to cover period of stay.
g) A letter from the relevant Italian university addressed
to the Italian Consulate General confirming acceptance of
the applicant, explaining full details of the course (programme,
duration etc).
h) A letter of reference from United Kingdom university confirming
the applicant’s status.
Transit
Visa
a) The passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer
than the validity of the requested visa, with at least one
blank page to affix the visa.
b) A completed visa application form.
c) One photograph. (passport size)
d) United Kingdom residence permit valid for at least 3 months
beyond the expiry date (for United Kingdom applicants).
e) A letter from the employer addressed to the Italian Consulate
General explaining the duration and purpose of the visit.
If self-employed, a letter from an company secretary, solicitor
accountant or local Chamber of Commerce. Applicants in the
United Kingdom should also arrange for an invitation from
the host Italian company or firm. This should be faxed directly
to the Italian Consulate General in London (fax number: (020)
7823 1609) at least 48 hours before submitting the visa application.
f) Proof of the travel arrangements.
g) Visa information for the onward destination country, if
applicable.
Note
a) Children and minors under 18 years of age not travelling
with their parents will require a declaration from both parents
or their legal guardian authorising their travel arrangements
and visa application.
b) The embassy officials processing the visa may also ask
for additional documents.
c) Supplying the travel documents listed above does not guarantee
the issue of a visa to the applicant.
Working
days required
1 to 2 working days are required. No visas are issued within
24 hours.
Nationals of the following countries should allow a minimum
of 14 to 21 days from the date of appointment for the processing
of their application: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Colombia,
Congo (Democratic Republic), Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Oman, Palestinian
Authority Region, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Somalia, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic,
United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen.
This list is subject to change. Check with the Embassy or
Consulate section for up to date information.
Temporary
residence
Enquires should be made to Embassy or Consulate section see
Addresses Contacts section. |
