VISAS FOR ITALY

Information on visas is available on the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.esteri.it/visti.

BOOKING

Visa applications are accepted by prior appointment. Please note we only receive visa appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 2pm and 4pm.

Appointments may be booked by using the "Book the appointment" link.  There is no charge for this service.

Applicants residing in Northern Ireland may submit an application via our Honorary Consulate in Belfast.  To book an appointment in Belfast send an e-mail to: leo@dagostino42.fsnet.co.uk.

HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

The "Schengen States" are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Before submitting an application make sure you are entitled to do so, as the administrative visa fee is not refundable.

Applications for minors must be signed and presented by their parents or legal guardian(s).

• The visa application has to be presented to the Visa Section of the country of main destination, which is dependent upon the purpose of the journey and the length of stay. If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the Schengen country through which you first enter is responsible for granting the visa.
• The passport or official travel document has to be recognised by all of the Schengen member states and must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the validity of the requested visa, with a proper blank page to affix the visa sticker.
• The visa must be requested in the country of residence.
• You are requested to submit proof of your residence in the UK – and specifically in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General (Scotland & Northern Ireland). At the time of application your UK permit must be either indefinite or have a validity of at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of your requested visa.
• If you are currently staying in the UK with a stamped leave issued at the port of entry for a period of 6 months (visitor), we cannot issue you a visa.
• If you require another type of visa, other than for tourism, you should contact this Consulate General for information.
• The Schengen visa allows the holder to move freely in all the Schengen countries, within the validity of the visa. If your passport or travel document is valid only for certain Schengen States then the validity of your visa is restricted to those States.
• The Certificate of Identity issued by the UK authorities is accepted only if it is stamped with “Indefinite leave to remain in the UK”.

WHO NEEDS A VISA?
Please check the website www.esteri.it/visti for detailed information.

PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE NOTE: EU Directive 2004/38/CE has been implemented in
Italy. Therefore, family members of EU nationals who do not have
the nationality of a Member State, but have the new residence
permits issued by the British Home Office bearing the specific
following indication:
"RESIDENCE DOCUMENTATION
Type of Document: Residence Card of a Family Member of an
EEA National"
will not need a Schengen visa for a short stay in Italy. 

If you have doubts about your status or the validity of your Permit, please contact us by mail.

 
WHERE TO APPLY
You must apply to the nearest Consulate within whose consular area you reside:

Italian Consulate General in Edimburgh if you are resident in Scotland & Northern Ireland.
For enquiries: visa.edimburgo@esteri.it. – Fax 0131 226 5998.

If you need a visa and if you live in North, East, Central and Southern England and in Southern and North Wales you can present in person your application either at the:

1) Consulate General of Italy in London (for all kind of visas)
136 Buckingham Palace Road
SW1W 9SA London
email: visti.londra@esteri.it
Fax: +44 (0)20 7823.4449
or
2) VFS Joint Visa Application Center (only for tourism or business visas)
1-8 Bateman's Building
South Soho Square
W1D 3EN London
email: info.ituk@vfshelpline.com
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
or
3) VFS Joint Visa Application Center (only for tourism or business visas)
4th Floor, 40 Princess Street,
M1 6DE Manchester
email: info.ituk@vfshelpline.com
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
or
4) VFS Joint Visa Application Center (only for tourism or business visas)
Temple Court
13a Cathedral Road
CF11 9HA Cardiff
email: info.ituk@vfshelpline.com
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023

VISA REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESSING TIMES

Visa applications in most cases can be processed within a week of the date of the appointment (allow 3-4 extra days if you are applying via our Honorary Consulate in Belfast)

For citizens of the following countries the visa processing time is usually 10-15 days from the date of the appointment (add 3-4 days if applying through Belfast):

AFGHANISTAN
BANGLADESH
INDONESIA
IRAN
IRAQ
JORDAN
LEBANON
LIBYA
NIGERIA
PAKISTAN
PHILIPPINES
SAUDI ARABIA
SYRIA

General requirements for various types of visa are listed hereunder.  Applicants should ensure that they bring all the necessary documents at the time of their appointment. Before assembling the required documentation please ensure that your UK visa is valid for AT LEAST three months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen area.

Please note that spouses/family members of EU and EEA nationals should follow the instructions in section 3:

Section 1 - TOURIST VISAS

For tourist visas the requirements are as follows: 

1. Your passport and completed application form (click here to download);
2. one passport photograph;
3. letter from your employer/university/college confirming your occupation/student status – duration of contract/course and the fact the you will be returning to your employment/studies after your holiday;
4. recent bank statements (these must show your name, address if possible, as well as account details and balance);
5. outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted);
6. hotel bookings - PLEASE NOTE: all the names of the guests staying under the same booking must be named on the Hotel Reservation - if staying with friends or family in Italy they must supply a letter of invitation (click here to download), copy of their passport/ID and copy of residence permit, if applicable;
7. travel insurance which includes medical cover and repatriation expenses in the case of illness, injury or death.  Please supply the insurance certificate as well as the summary of the policy (table of benefits)
8. Photocopy of passport (main details page and UK visa page);
9. Photocopies of ALL supporting documents listed from points 3. to 7.
10. Pre-paid special delivery envelope (C5 size prepaid to 500g - obtainable at any post office). Your visa will be returned by post as we no longer operate a collections service. If you are applying through Belfast please supply TWO special delivery envelopes.
11. The fee of £ 51.30, payable in cash only. If you are applying through Belfast, payment may only be made by postal order. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount as change cannot normally be given.

Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office.  The visa fee is non-refundable even in the event that your application is rejected.

Section 2- BUSINESS VISAS

For business visas the requirements are as follows:

1. Your passport and completed application form;
2. One passport photograph;
3. A letter from your employer confirming your employment status, duration of contract  and the need for you to visit Italy on business.  Please ask them to give details of specific meetings which have been set up, the company (or companies) that you will be visiting, etc.  Your employer should also specify that all your travelling costs and insurance cover will be provided by the company, attaching - where possible - a copy of the company travel insurance certificate for employees;
4. Recent personal bank statements (these must show your name, address if possible, as well as account details and balance);
5. Invitation Letter (see attachment) from the Italian company with which your company does business or intends to set up a business relationship. Please note the Italian Company must also send the Invitation Form directly to our Visa Office email: visa.edimburgo@esteri.it together with the attachments as listed on said  “Lettera d’Invito”;
6. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted);
7. Hotel bookings in your name;
8. Travel insurance which includes medical cover and repatriation expenses in the case of illness, injury or death (see point three above). Please supply the insurance certificate as well as the summary of the policy (table of benefits),
9. Photocopy of passport (main details page and UK visa page);
10. Photocopies of ALL supporting documents listed from points 3. to 8.;
11. Pre-paid special delivery envelope (C5 size prepaid to 500g -obtainable at the post office). Your visa will be returned by post as we no longer operate a collections service. If you are applying through Belfast please supply TWO special delivery envelopes;
12. The fee of £ 51.30, payable in cash only. If you are applying through Belfast, payment may only be made by postal order. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount as change cannot normally be given

Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office.  The visa fee is non-refundable even in the event that your application is rejected.

Section 3 – SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU AND EEA NATIONALS

For tourist visas the requirements are as follows:

1. Your passport and completed application form (click here to download);
2. One passport photograph;
3. Your EU spouse/family member’s original passport;
4. The original marriage/birth certificate with a certified translation into English if applicable;
5. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted);
6. Photocopy of passport (main details page and UK visa page);
7. Photocopies of ALL supporting documents listed from points 3. to 5.;
8. Pre-paid special delivery envelope (C5 size prepaid to 500g - obtainable at any post office). Your visa will be returned by post as we no longer operate a collections service. If you are applying through Belfast please supply TWO special delivery envelopes.

The visa is issued FREE OF CHARGE.

Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office. 

If you wish to apply for any other type of visa not listed above, please send an email to our visa office: visa.edimburgo@esteri.it.  You should provide personal details, address in the UK, current UK visa status and specify the purpose of your visit. 

TRAVEL FACILITIES FOR SCHOOL PUPILS

Basis: Decision of the European Council of 30/11/1994 based on article K.3.2.b of the European Union Treaty a Member State shall not require a visa for a school pupil who is not a national of an EU Member State, but who is legally resident in another Member State and who wishes to enter its territory for a short stay or transit, if the following conditions apply:

• Confirmation that during a school excursion, the school pupil is travelling as a member of a Group of school pupils from a general education school and that the group is accompanied by a teacher from said school.
• The accompanying teacher must present an official list of pupils travelling in the group (on the appropriate form) issued by the school.
• The list must contain the names and details of all travelling pupils and must indicate the purpose and circumstances of the intended stay.
• The pupils from third countries MUST ALSO travel with their individual passports.

In order to obtain the appropriate form and information you should contact: The British Council, www.Britishcouncil.co.uk .

VISA APPLICATIONS FOR MINORS

All applications for minors travelling to Italy must be presente with full Birth certificates as well as the written consent from both parents or the legal guardian. Parents may apply directly on behalf of their children under 18 years (minor). Please note: Full Birth Certificates issued outside the UK must be duly translated and legalised by the relevant diplomatic/consular authority of that country in the UK.

Additional documents or information may be required.