Italy is a state that is part of the Schengen area. A Schengen visa is required to enter its territory. The conditions for obtaining an entry permit are no different from other European countries. A visa is issued for the same purposes and within the same time frame.
In 2002, 20 types of visas were approved for entry into Italy. Conventionally, they can be divided into business, tourist, work, student and “visas by private invitation”. Each of these categories has its own requirements and conditions under which it is possible to obtain a visa :
- a business or business visa is issued upon an invitation letter from an Italian business partner to participate in various events and business organization;
- a tourist visa is the most common, it can be issued for a single visit for the entire duration of the purchased tour, or it can be issued for 90 days with the possibility of multiple entries;
- a work visa allows employment in the country and requires the mandatory conclusion of an employment contract with the employer;
- a student visa can be short-term (for courses or internships) or long-term;
- a visitor visa is intended to visit friends or relatives and also requires an invitation.
It must be borne in mind that only 2 of all 20 types of visas give the right to work – for employees and for independent workers.
With a good visa history, you can apply for a Schengen multivisa, which gives the right to multiple entries within a certain period. It is issued for 2, 3, 5 years with a stay of 3 months for six months or 6 months for a year.
Work or labor visa to Italy
A work visa is a permit for a long-term stay in Italy for the purpose of employment. As a rule, you can get a visa for independent work or employment for hire for 1-2 years. Most often, sailors, builders, service workers go to this country, provided that local residents or EU citizens do not apply for vacancies.
The number of jobs is quite strictly quota, so only a certain number of entry permits are issued each year. Only an employer can apply for a visa . Such an application is sent to the Joint Bureau of Immigration, which checks all the information and decides whether to grant a work permit and issuance of a work visa.
Initially, a visa is issued for 6 months. Arriving in Italy, within 8 days you need to register with the immigration office and sign a contract with the employer, which will reflect all working and living conditions, salary and social guarantees.
Then you need to register with the National Institute of Industrial Injury Insurance and the National Institute of Social Security. All foreigners who stay in Italy for more than 3 months (including EU citizens) must obtain a temporary residence permit (Permesso di Soggiomo).
Student visa to Italy
Student visa is a long stay visa. It allows you to stay in Italy for more than the 90-day limit set for short-stay visas. The main purpose of its registration is the passage of an educational program in one of the educational institutions of the country. Documents for a student visa can also be submitted by a foreigner who travels to Italy for scientific research or to participate in cultural events.
You can get a student visa both for a short period and for 12 months with an annual extension. If the study program is designed for a period of less than 90 days, then it would be more appropriate to issue a visa type C (tourist). If the training will last more than 3 months, then in this case a student visa type D is issued for up to 365 days.
The package of documents for registration must include an invitation letter from the leadership of the university or other educational institution. It officially confirms enrollment in an educational program, indicates information about the student and the conditions of stay that are provided to him. You can apply for a visa only if you have such an invitation.
A student visa is issued only at the Consulate of Italy, and not at the visa department, like all other types of visas. After arriving in the country, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
Business visa to Italy
A visa that allows frequent business trips to Italy can be issued for periods ranging from a few days to several years. In most cases , you can get a visa to take part in negotiations, seminars, meetings, conferences and exhibitions for up to 1 year. Such a document only allows entry and stay in the country for a certain period of time. The right to work of any kind, including volunteer work, such a visa does not provide.
In order for the visa document to acquire business status, you need to apply for a visa in a timely manner and declare the purpose of your trip. For its registration, you will need documents confirming the right to engage in commercial activities (an extract from the register of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a certificate of registration of an entrepreneur, company documents if its representative is sent to Italy on a business trip).
The main document, without which you should not start applying for a visa , is an invitation from an Italian partner, which indicates the dates and goals of the upcoming event and information about the inviting party. If the trip involves visiting a number of places, including the Schengen countries, then you will need to attach a detailed itinerary of the trip.
Tourist visa to Italy
A tourist visa belongs to the category of short-stay visas for single or multiple entries. It is issued for trips to get acquainted with the cultural riches and traditions of Italy. You can apply for a visa to a travel company, you can also apply for it yourself through the Italian Embassy or one of the visa centers.
You can get a tourist visa both for a strictly fixed period, coinciding with the dates of the trip, and for a certain period of time, during which you can enter the country the required number of times. The duration of the permitted stay can be very different, from a “weekend tour” to a Schengen visa for 12 months.
This is one of the simplest visa documents for which you do not need to collect a large number of certificates. Such a visa can be issued when traveling for short-term courses or a short trip on business or for a visit. Getting a tourist visa does not require an invitation from Italy. The basis for the issuance may be the purchase of a tour, which at the same time will provide hotel and ticket reservations, which is a necessary condition for obtaining this type of visa. You will also need to confirm the purpose of the trip and the availability of funds for the entire stay and return. If the duration of the trip is less than 30 days, then a bank statement will not be required.
Documents for a visa to Italy
Applying for a visa to Italy is practically no different from other Schengen countries. Is that this process is much easier and faster than in many European countries. It is best to apply for a visa 3-4 weeks before the trip, after registering on the website of the diplomatic mission.
The list of required documents includes:
- Properly completed visa application form.
- Two standard size color photographs.
- International passport and copies of all other passports with personal data and previous visas.
- Confirmation of social status and financial stability:
- certificate from the place of work;
- a copy of the card or account statement;
- traveler’s checks, etc.
- Invitation from the representative of the Italian side.
- Accommodation guaranteed.
- Medical insurance policy recognized as valid in Italy.
- Booking for tickets.
If you plan to visit several countries, it is advisable to provide a route. In this case, the insurance must cover all countries of travel.
When driving your own or rented car, you will need a vehicle registration certificate, an international insurance policy, a license and, if necessary, a car rental contract.
