Italy Visa for Indian Passport Holders

Italy, with its rich history, art, architecture, and delicious cuisine, is a dream destination for many. For Indian citizens, traveling to Italy requires careful planning, including obtaining the appropriate visa. This guide is designed to walk you through the process of applying for an Italy visa from India, covering all types of visas, application procedures, required documents, fees, and more.

Short Stay (Up to 90 Days): Yes, Indian citizens need a Schengen Visa for tourism, business, visiting family/friends, etc.

Long Stay (More than 90 Days): Yes, for study, work, family reunification, etc., Indian citizens must apply for a National Visa.

3.1 Schengen Visa (Short Stay, up to 90 Days)

• Tourist Visa: Travel, tourism, or visiting family/friends.
• Business Visa: Business meetings, conferences, trade fairs.
• Transit Visa: Rarely required for Indians with onward flights within the Schengen Area.
• Visa for Visiting Family/Friends: Requires an invitation letter from the host in Italy.

3.2 National Visa (Long Stay, more than 90 Days)

• Study Visa: For Italian universities or language courses.
• Work Visa: For employment in Italy (requires a job offer and work permit).
• Family Reunification Visa: For joining family members who are Italian citizens or residents.
• Retirement/Elective Residence Visa: For retiring or living in Italy without working.

4.1 For Schengen Visas (Short Stay)

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Requirements

• Purpose of Visit: Ensure your trip aligns with Schengen Visa purposes (tourism, business, visiting family/friends, etc.).
• Travel Dates: Confirm your stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Valid Passport: Verify your Indian passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
• Previous Refusals: If previously denied a Schengen Visa, understand the reasons and ensure improvements.

Step 2: Choose the Right Visa Type

• Tourist Visa: For travel, sightseeing, or visiting friends/family.
• Business Visa: For meetings, conferences, or trade fairs.
• Transit Visa: If Italy is a transit point (rarely required for Indians with onward flights).
• Visa for Visiting Family/Friends: Requires an invitation letter from your host in Italy.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents (See Section 5.1)

• Valid Indian Passport
• Completed Schengen Visa Application Form
• Recent Photos
• Proof of Flight Itinerary or Travel Arrangements
• Travel Health Insurance
• Proof of Accommodation
• Proof of Financial Means

Step 4: Apply Through the Italian Visa Application Center (VAC) in India

• Book an Appointment:

• VFS Global Locations: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru.
• Booking Method: Online through the VFS Global website or through their helpline.
• Appointment Scheduling: Choose a date and time slot convenient for you.

Submission Process at VFS Global:

• Arrive Early: Reach the VFS Global center at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment.

• Application Submission:
• Submit your completed application form and supporting documents to the VFS Global staff.
• Ensure all documents are as per the checklist to avoid re-submission.

• Biometric Data Collection:
• Proceed to the biometric booth for fingerprint scanning.
• This step is mandatory for all Schengen Visa applicants.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee (See Section 6.1)

• Fee Amount: €60 (approximately INR 4,800, subject to exchange rates).
• Payment Method: At VFS Global, payment can be made in cash, by credit/debit card, or through a demand draft.
• Service Charge: An additional service fee may be applicable.

Step 6: Wait for the Decision (See Section 7)

• Processing Time: Typically 15 calendar days, but can vary.

• Tracking Your Application:

• Online through the VFS Global website.
• Through the VFS Global mobile app.

• Collection of Passport:

• Once the visa is approved, return to the VFS Global center with your receipt to collect your passport.

4.2 For National Visas (Long Stay)

Step 1: Directly Contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate

• Locations:

• Italian Embassy in New Delhi.
• Consulates in Mumbai and Kolkata.

• Inquiry Method:

• Phone: Check the official website for contact numbers.
• Email: Use the email address provided on the official website.
• In Person: Visit the Embassy or Consulate during designated hours.

Purpose of Initial Contact:

• Inquire About Specific Requirements: For your particular National Visa type (Study, Work, Family Reunification, etc.).
• Schedule an Appointment (If Necessary): Depending on the Embassy/Consulate’s procedures.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

• After Gathering All Required Documents (See Section 5.2):
• Ensure completeness and accuracy to avoid delays.
• Submission Method:
• In Person: At the Italian Embassy or Consulate, if an appointment was scheduled.
• Through an Authorized Representative: If permitted by the Embassy/Consulate, with a power of attorney.

Documents to Submit:

• Valid Indian Passport
• Completed National Visa Application Form
• Recent Photos
• Proof of Admission to an Italian University (for Study Visas)
• Work Permit and Job Offer (for Work Visas)
• Invitation Letter and Documents Proving Family Ties (for Family Reunification)
• Proof of Income and Health Insurance (for Retirement/Elective Residence)

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee (See Section 6.2)

• Fee Amount: Varies by visa type, ranging from €116 to €300 or more (approximately INR 9,300 to INR 24,000 or more).
• Payment Method: As instructed by the Italian Embassy or Consulate (e.g., bank transfer, demand draft).

Step 4: Wait for the Decision (See Section 7)

• Processing Time: Generally longer than for Schengen Visas, often several weeks to a few months.
• Tracking Your Application:
• By contacting the Italian Embassy or Consulate directly.
• Collection of Passport:
• Once the visa is approved, collect your passport from the Embassy or Consulate as per their instructions.

The photo requirements for Italy visa are as follows -

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

The time taken to process the application depends on several factors such as the type of permit, the duration of it, the number of entries, the volume of applications at the mission, and several others. Under ideal circumstances, it takes about 10-15 working days for processing. However, due to the uncertainty in this, it is advised that you apply well in advance. You should apply at least 10 days before your travel and not more than 3 months.

The total fees for the process depend on several factors such as the category of the permit, the number of entries, express delivery charges, biometric charges, and so on. Since the Italy visa fees from India can vary upon the foreign exchange rates as well, it is strongly advised to check the exact fees right before applying.

The online visa application for Italy is made at the website of the embassy/consulate that has jurisdiction over your state of residence. You may submit these applications either at one of the VACs situated across the country or directly at the embassy or consulate of your state of residence. The VACs under each consulate or embassy cover certain regions or jurisdictions, and you are suggested to apply to the one belonging to your region for faster processing.

The Embassy of Italy, New Delhi covers states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, as well as Chandigarh.

The Consulate General of Italy, Mumbai covers Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, as well as Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.

The Consulate General of Italy, Kolkata covers Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa,  Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Please note that you must apply to the mission under which your state of residence is covered. 

While you are waiting for your application to be processed, you may do a Italy visa status check to track your application. You can do this by visiting the Italy visa status check online portal of the respective VAC. The embassy or consulate do not respond to queries regarding the status of the application. However, you may also check it by opting for SMS tracking, or email tracking.