Italy Visa – Different Types Of Visas To Enter Italy
Historic Centre of Rome,
There are many types of visas to enter Italy.
In this article, we discuss everything about Italy visa. From tourist to work
visa and from student to visa to transit visa, the article covers everything
about visas to visit Italy.
Historic Centre of Rome
Italy offers different kinds of visas to foreigners who wish to go there as a tourist or an immigrant. Depending on whether you wish to go there as a student, a permanent resident, for work or as a tourist you can choose a long-stay visa or short-stay visa.
Some of the most common Italy visas include the following:
Why
Is Italy One Of The Favourite Destinations Of Tourist And Immigrants?
Italy remains one of the greatest of all European empires. Lying along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea this little nation is home to some of the world’s greatest artworks, glorious castles, and ancient architecture.
Italy is also well known for its beautiful culture, cheese, cuisines, its fashion industry, vineyards and some of the best quality wines produced in the world.
Sightseeing Options
Blessed with some of the most beautiful lakes, cliffs, and National parks covered in lush greenery, it is a favorite destination of nature lovers. The capital city of Rome houses the Vatican which is one of the most frequented travel destinations in the world.
The city of canals in Venice is another favorite destination for international travelers. Tourism is the backbone of the Italian economy which provides more than 60% of it.
Educational
Facilities
The country has some of the best colleges and universities in the world that offers good quality education and degrees.
Compared to most of the other nations in Europe, the fee for education in Italy is much lesser. Hence this nation is quite popular among international students.
Employment
Options
Italy also offers good employment opportunities for skilled workers, professionals, and people who are interested in setting up a business.
All these opportunities combined with a pleasant lifestyle attract international immigrants to this amazing nation.
The
Type Of Italy Visa
The type of visa that you require to travel or migrate to Italy depends on your purpose of visit and the number of days you intend to remain there.
People from certain countries do not require a visa to travel to Italy. However, the period of stay should be less than 90 days. Citizens belonging to the following countries are exempted.
Citizens
Of Countries That Do Not Require A Visa To Travel To Italy
EEA (European Economic Area), European Union
(EU) and Switzerland
Countries that have entered in the Visa Waiver Agreement are also exempted. They are the following:
Australia
Mauritius
Albania
Peru
Bermuda
Malaysia
Andorra
Moldova
Bahamas
Paraguay
Antigua
Panama
Bosnia
Nevis
Costa Rica
Samoa
Brunei
Saint Kitts
Colombia
Salvador
Brazil
Saint Vincent
Dominica
The Grenadines
Chile
Saint Lucia
East Timor
San Marino
Canada
Seychelles
Honduras
Taiwan
Guatemala
Singapore
Herzegovina
Serbia
Grenada
Tonga
Nauru
South Korea
Japan
Trinidad and Tobago
New Zealand
US
Israel
Venezuela
Mexico
UAE
Montenegro
Uruguay
Nicaragua
Vanuatu
Macedonia
Vatican
If you belong to one of the above-mentioned
nations you do not require a visa to travel to Italy. The people belonging to
all the other nations need to apply for the right visa beforehand if you intend
to be in Italy for a short-stay or a long-stay.
The
Different Types Of Visas To Italy
The people who wish to travel to Italy have
to apply for a visa at least 3 months before the date of travel. Depending on
the period of stay the Italian visas are classified as short-stay visas and
long-stay visas.
7
Types Of Italy Visa For Short-Stay
Short-stay
visas are also referred to as the Type-C visa
These
visas are valid for a maximum period of 3 months or 90 days
There
are 2 categories of visas for short-stay. They are:
USV or
the Uniform Schengen Visa
LTV or the Limited Territorial Validity Visa
The LTV is issued for those travelers who
wish to be in Italy for the following reasons.
National
interests
To
fulfill international obligations
Interests
of the nation
A Uniform Schengen Visa is necessary for
travelers who wish to be in Italy for less than 90 days. Given below are some
of the short-stay visas to Italy.
Airport Transit visa to Italy
For international travelers transiting through Italy to another country
Valid only for 24 hours
Should be in the transit zone of the airport
Must not leave the airport
Not all nationalities require an Airport transit visa
Citizens Of 14 Countries That Require Transit Visa To Enter Italy
People belonging to the following countries
require a transit visa in Italy
Ethiopia
Ghana
Republic of Congo
Eritrea
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Iraq
Nigeria
Sri Lanka
Iran
Somalia
Syria
Pakistan
Senegal
2. Transit Visa For Seafarers
An Italian transit visa for seafarers is
necessary if you are a member of the crew on a ship. This visa allows you to:
Move
from one ship to another at a seaport in Italy
Join a
ship at one of the ports in Italy
Disembark
from a ship for a holiday or due to sickness
3. Schengen Visa For Tourists
For a
holiday to Italy or tourism, an international traveler has to apply for a
Schengen visa
The
Schengen visa allows you to travel to any country covered in the Schengen area
The visa
is valid for 90 days
You have
to submit documents including travel itinerary, proof of necessary funds, proof
of accommodation
4. Visa For Visiting A Relative/Friend
A
Schengen visa allows you to visit a friend or relative in Italy for less than 90
days
You are
required to submit documents of proof including an invitation letter from your
host and proof of relationship with that family member
Proof of
finances
Proof of accommodation
5. Business Visa: Schengen
Exclusively
for business people
For 3 months
For
meetings, conferences, to meet people involved in a similar field, for training
and workshops
6. Cultural Visa For Schengen Area
The visa allows you to be in Italy for cultural
purposes
Can be used by sportspeople
A film crew and for religion
Valid for 90 days
7. Short-Stay Visa For Medical Treatment
Using a Schengen medical visa the applicant can
get medical health care and treatment from any hospitals in the Schengen area
The maximum period is for 90 days however, the
visa can be extended if there are valid
medical reasons
The minimum period required for processing of
your visa is two weeks. However, depending on the urgency of the medical
condition the visa may be granted immediately.
You have to submit all the valid proof including
Doctor’s report from your country, proof from the Schengen hospital that shows
they have the treatment you require, proof of hospital admission and the
required funds for treatment and stay in Italy.
The visa can be extended during cases of
emergency
6 Types Of Long-Stay Italy Visa
Also
referred to as the National visa or the Type-D visa, the long-stay visa to
Italy allows an international traveler to stay in Italy for more than 90 days.
However, to live in Italy for more than 3 months a foreign national must get a
residence permit.
Long-stay
visas are also known as Type-D visa
Long
stay visas are necessary if your stay in Italy exceeds 90 days
These
visas are also called the National Visa
The visas that you choose vary depending on
your purpose of stay in Italy.
For a
holiday/travel
Joining
members of your family
For
employment
To join
an educational institution for higher studies
For
transit
Religious
reasons
It
is not possible to apply for a residence permit if you have a short-stay
Schengen visa. Given below are some of the long-stay visas to Italy.
Italian Work Visa
A foreign national who does not belong to the EU
or the EEA requires an Italian work visa to work in Italy
You can apply for this visa only after securing
a job in Italy
Most of the occupations in Italy has a quota
system
You can get a job only if they’ve failed to meet
the limit of the quota
The requirements vary from place to place
The employer has to get you a work permit
You can apply for a work visa only after
obtaining this permit from your employer
You need to apply for it at the Italian
consulate or the Italian embassy in your native country
Once you get the work visa you can enter the
country and apply for a residence permit
The validity of the work visa depends on the
duration of your employment contract in Italy
The maximum time limit is 2 years
Work visa can be renewed for a maximum of 5
years
2. Student Visa To Italy
A foreign national who wishes to pursue higher
education in Italy for more than 90 days require a student visa to Italy
You do not require one if you belong to the
EU/EEA but requires a legal passport and has to apply for a residence permit
A residence permit is also required, to stay in
Italy legally
You must be over 18 years of age
Proof of enrollment in a college/university that
is legally approved in Italy
The international student has to apply for the
visa at the Italian embassy / Italian consulate in their native land
An international student is allowed to work
part-time using this visa
The maximum time per week is 20 hours
3. Italian Visa For Self-Employment
All non-EU citizens who wish to be self-employed
in Italy or open a business there require a visa for self-employment
It is a long-stay National visa
To start a business in Italy you require a
certificate from the Chamber of Commerce in Italy
Proof of sufficient funds is required along with
your qualification to do the business or to be a self-employed worker
This is just a visa for entrance to Italy
It addition to this visa you require
authorization to work and live in Italy
There are three types of Italian visas for Self-Employment
The
Entrepreneur Visa For Italy
The
Freelancer Visa For Italy
The
Start-Up Visa For Italy
4. Working Holiday Visa For Italy
Italy is part of a working holiday program for cultural exchange
Italy has agreed with the following countries:
South
Korea
New
Zealand
Australia
Canada
Youngsters between the age of 18 and 30 can apply
for this visa
They can work and live in Italy for a maximum of
1 year
The maximum age limit for Canadians under this
agreement is 35 years
They can work only for a maximum of 6 months and
have to work for three separate employers during this period
Proof of sufficient funds to live in Italy until
you find work is necessary
Proof of return tickets to your native country
Proof of good health
5. Italy Visa For Family Re-Union
All non-EU citizens living in Italy with a legal
residence permit can apply for a family reunion visa to bring their family
members to live in Italy
This long-stay visa allows a family member to
stay over three months in this country
Once the visa is granted the family member is
allowed to enter this country and they can apply for a permit for residence
This residence permit allows a family member to
come and live with the non-EU Italian resident legally
The following family members can apply for a
family reunification visa in Italy
Spouse
Dependent
children above the age of 18 years
Children
who are below 18 (Children of both the spouses can be considered and children
born outside their marriage is also considered)
Parents
who are dependent and above the age of 65
6. Elective Residency Visa To Italy
The elective residency visa is for foreigners
who have the necessary funds to support themselves while not working
This visa is usually used by foreign nationals
who wish to spend their retirement lives in this country
Hence this visa is also referred to as the Italy
retirement visa
The funds that are usually used are from the
individual’s investments, pension, and savings
The foreign nationals cannot take any work while
being a resident in Italy using this visa
You have to apply for a residence permit within
8 days of arriving in Italy
Understand the type of visa that you need to apply for depending on your purpose of visit/migration to Italy and on how long you plan to be there.
Submit the visa application form along with all the necessary supporting documents and visa fees at the Italian consulate/Italian embassy in your native country.
To get your Italian visa in time you need to apply at least two-three months before your intended date of journey.