Entry visa

(Legislative Decree No. 286 of 25 July 1998 and subsequent amendments; Presidential Decree No. 394 of 31 August 1999; Interministerial Decree No. 850 of 11 May 2011 and Amended Regulation (EC) No. 539 of 2001; Amended Regulation (EC) No. 562 of 2006 - Schengen Borders Code; Regulation (EC) No. 810 of 2009 - Visa Code)

An entry visa is the authorization which enables you to enter Italy. It is a printed visa sticker that is attached to your passport or other valid travel document.

Your visa application form must include a recent passport-size photo, a valid travel document and, where applicable, supporting documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

You are required to specify the following:

• purpose of your journey;
• means of support both for your stay in Italy and return to your country;
• accommodation.

A visa is issued by the Italian Embassies and consular posts in your country of origin or permanent residence. You cannot apply for a visa or an extension of its validity while you are in Italy.

A visa is not required if you are a national of one of the countries whose citizens are exempt from any visa requirement for short-term stays not exceeding 90 days on the following grounds: tourism, mission, business, invitation or sporting events.

A visa is required if you are a national of one of the countries whose citizens are subject to a visa requirement.

Schengen uniform visa for short stays not exceeding 90 days
The uniform visa issued by a Schengen State authorizes entry for short stay in or transit through the Schengen area for a period not exceeding 90 days.

If you hold a residence permit issued by a Schengen State you are entitled to enter Italy without a visa for a short stay not exceeding 3 months on grounds other than employment, self-employment and training. In this case too, you have to report on arrival.

National long-stay visa
If you wish to stay in Italy for a period exceeding 90 days, you are subject to a visa requirement even if you are a citizen of a country exempt from any visa requirement for transit or short stay.

Long-stay visas are valid for a period exceeding 90 days and for one or multiple entries into Italy and may include transit through the territory of the Schengen States (the length of transit may not exceed 5 days).

Types of visa
There are 20 types of entry visa: adoption, business, medical treatment, diplomatic, accompanying family member, sporting events, invitation, self-employment, employement, mission, religious grounds, re-entry, elective residence, family reunification, study, airport transit, transit, transport, tourism, and working holiday.

• Visa type A: Airport transit visa
• Visa type B: Transit visa
• Visa type C: Short-stay visa or travel visa valid for one or more entries and for a period not exceeding 90 days
• Visa type D: Long-stay visa valid for more than 90 days.