Italy Schengen Visa: Visa Application, Requirements and Processing Time

Italy! It's a country that gives and just keeps on giving. Amazing vistas like Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and the Italian Alps stand side by side with mouthwatering food, welcoming people, and stunning cities. For years, Italy has been a leading contributor to the world's fashion, literature, and design. When you consider this, it is no wonder that hundreds of thousands of tourists keep traveling to Italy per year to experience Italy's splendor for themselves.

However, if you plan to travel to Italy soon, you may need an Italy Tourist Visa. Luckily, you've come to the right place. Here you'll learn everything you need to know about the Italy Schengen Visa, its requirements, and how to apply for it.

In this guide, you'll find:

• Italy Tourist Visa At A Glance
• How To Quickly Get Your Italy Schengen Visa
• What Is A Italy Schengen Tourist Visa?
• Who Needs A Italy Schengen Visa
• Where Should I Apply For My ItalyTourist Visa
• When Should I Apply For A Italy Schengen Visa
• How Much Is The Italy Schengen Visa Fee
• What Are The Visa Free Travel Requirements For Italy
• What Are The Required Documents For A Schengen Visa To Italy
• What Type Of Travel Insurance Should I Get For A Italy Schengen Visa Application
• How To Complete A Visa Application For A Italy Schengen Visa
• What Are The Photo Specifications For A Italy Tourist Visa Application
• What Are The Requirements For Minors Applying For A Visa To italy

Italy forms part of the Schengen Area, and as such, an Italian Tourist Visa is known as a Schengen Tourist Visa.

Citizens from countries outside the EU may need to acquire a Schengen Visa before traveling to Itlay. EU, US, & UK citizens do not need a Schengen Visa when traveling to Italy for 90 days or less.

The main details of this visa are as follows:

• Italian Schengen Visa Fees: Italian Schengen Visa Fees differ from country to country, but for most countries, it's EU 80.00.
• Italian Schengen Visa Processing Time: In normal circumstances, an Italian Schengen Visa can take up to 15 days. However, the processing time can take as long as 30 days, depending on the number of applications being processed.
• Italian Schengen Visa Requirements: To apply for a Schengen Visa To Italy, an applicant will need a complete Flight Itinerary, a full Hotel Itinerary, as well as various other requirements that we'll discuss in detail in this article.

The easiest and fastest way to get your Italy Tourist Visa is through Atlys. Atlys simplifies the entire Schengen Visa application process for you. With Atlys, you can apply from the comfort of your own home. The best part, you don't need to stress or concern yourself with the visa application process. All you need to do is select a country, travel date and enter your personal information. After that, you can follow the easy-to-follow instructions Atlys provides. You'll receive your next Tourist Visa in no time!

Simply put, a Tourist Visa for Italy will allow you to legally travel, visit, and enter Italy for non-essential purposes like tourism or short business trips. In addition, the Italy Tourist Visa, also known as the Italy Schengen Visa, allows you to travel for a duration that doesn't exceed 90 days per 180 days. With your Italy Tourist Visa, you can visit the ancient Roman Colosseum or the historical Roman temple known as Pantheon.

It is important to understand, you may only visit Italy with a Tourist Visa if you're planning a short trip. If you intend to stay in Italy for a longer period or for purposes that require a longer stay, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa.

Italy forms part of the Schengen Area, and as such, you'll have to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa. Apart from entry into Italy, an Italian Schengen Visa grants access to all 26 European countries in the Schengen Zone.

These Countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

When applying for a Schengen Visa, the country you spend the most time in should usually be where you apply for your Schengen visa. If you spend an equal amount of time in different countries, the country that is your first entry into the Schengen Zone should be the country where you apply for your Schengen Visa.

Your Italy Tourist Visa will allow you to visit Italy for 90 days every 180 days. However, you can only visit Italy with a Tourist Visa for tourism purposes. Therefore, if the purpose of your travel is not tourism or exceeds 90 days, you'll need to apply for a different type of visa. Check our article on the 90/180-day rule to learn more.

Quick note: During this article, we'll be referring to the Italy Tourist Visa as the Italy Schengen Visa/Italian Schengen Visa. Both visas are exactly the same, with the only difference being the name.

Now that you know more about the Italy Schengen Visa, let's talk about who needs to apply for one. Some nations don't even need to apply for a visa to visit Italy. These nations enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel. When using Atlys, you'll automatically be informed about the type of visa you need to apply for, depending on the country you're from.

If EU/EEA/Swiss National

If you are a citizen from the European Union, the European Economic Area, or from Switzerland, you enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to Italy and don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa to travel for non-essential purposes.

If Citizen Of Schengen Area Country

If you are a citizen from the Schengen Area, you don't need to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa to visit Italy. You enjoy the benefits of the Schengen Agreement. In short, this means you can visit, work and live in Italy without applying for any type of visa.

If US Citizen

If you are traveling to Italy as a US citizen, you'll be happy to know that you enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to Italy. However, you are only allowed to visit for non-essential purposes (like tourism and short business trips). Also, you may only visit Italy for a duration that does not exceed 90 days per 180 days.

It is also worth noting that you may visit any Schengen Member States without getting a Schengen Visa/Tourist Visa.

Important: By the end of 2022, US citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS to visit the Schengen Area. Your ETIAS will be used as a travel authorization that allows entry into Europe.

If you want to visit Italy for a period that exceeds 90 days, you'll need to apply for a visa that'll allow you to do so. For example: If you want to work in Italy, you'll need to apply for a Work Visa.

Later, we'll look at the documents US citizens require to travel to Italy.

If Green Card Holder

Sadly, unlike US citizens, US Green Card Holders don't automatically enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to Italy. Such travelers will need an Italy Schengen Visa if their nationality (the country of your passport) needs a Schengen Visa to travel to Italy. However, it is possible to apply for your Italy Schengen Visa in the US. Meaning, you don't need to travel back to your home country to apply.

If you are visiting the US with a visitor's visa (B1/B2 visa), you can't apply for a Schengen Visa in the US. Instead, you must travel back to your home country and apply for your Schengen Visa from there.

We suggest that as soon as you've figured out if you need an Italian Schengen Visa, your next step should be to determine where you'll be applying for your Schengen visa to Italy. The location of your closest facility might affect how long your application will take due to travel time to and from the facility.

When it comes to making this choice, you basically have 3 options:

1. Use Atlys To Effortlessly Apply For Your Italy Visa. Atlys is your easiest and quickest option. Atlys is designed to be fast and simple. With Atlys, you can cut the time it takes to apply for your visa in half. Furthermore, Atlys has very helpful and friendly customer service that will help along the way. With the Atlys app, you can apply from the comfort of your home.

2. Apply At Your Local Italian Embassy or Consulate Applying at your local Italian Embassy or Consulate-General Of Italy is the more traditional way of getting your Italian Schengen Visa. Keep in mind that this option does involve some uncertainty and time-wasting. Unlike Atlys, there is no clear guidance from the Embassy. Forgetting a document or submitting an incomplete application form can lead to your visa being denied without you even being aware of the error until it's too late.

3. Apply Through A Visa Application Center

Submitting an application at an application center is fairly similar to submitting an application at the Embassy. In fact, many embassies outsource their visa services to application centers. However, due to the increasing demand for visas, these application centers may become overburdened at times. As a result, there is a lengthier wait time. Also, there are numerous accounts of people who have had negative experiences with the application center's customer support. However, this is not always the case.

Each of these options can lead to you getting your Italian Schengen Visa. The final decision is always yours to make. Choose the option you like the most, and be sure to follow the exact instructions given to you.

To allow yourself enough time and account for any unforeseen circumstances, we suggest that you apply no later than 45 days before your departure date. That being said, the processing time for a Schengen Visa to Italy is usually around 15 days, but in some cases, it can take up to 60 days to process an Italian Schengen Visa Application.

Schengen visa fees depend on the nationality applying for the Schengen Visa. For example, citizens from India will need to pay more than citizens from South Africa. Therefore, we advise you to contact your nearest Italian Embassy to determine the exact Schengen Visa Fee.

That being said, we have gathered an average Schengen Visa fee, and most applicants can expect to pay as follows:

For an adult - €80

For children between the age of 6 - 12 years - €40

For children younger than 6 years - Free

Note that paying the visa application fee doesn't guarantee a successful visa application. Instead, the fee you're paying is for the service provided by the Embassy. Also, the payment for your Italian Schengen Visa is non-refundable.

Fees are liable to change, and we suggest you contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Italy to determine the exact fee.

Although not all nationalities need to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa to visit Italy, these nations still need to present a few documents before entering Italy.

You may need to present the following documents to Italian authorities once you arrive in Italy:

• A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay. Also, it must be in good condition and not older than 10 years.

• Proof Of Sufficient Funds

You must prove that you'll be able to support yourself financially for the duration of your trip to Italy. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation of Italy, you can expect to have the following amount depending on the duration of your trip.

For a stay of up to 5 days, you can expect to present a total amount of €269.60 per person.

For a stay of 6 - 10 days, you can expect to have an amount of €44.93 per day.

For a stay of 11 - 20 days, you can expect to have an initial fixed amount of €51.64 and an additional amount of €36.57 per day. For example: If your trip is 11 days, you'll need €402.27 (€36.57 x 11 days) plus the fixed amount of €51.64. The total amount would be €453.91.

For stays that exceed 20 days, you can expect a fixed amount of €206.58 and an additional amount of €27.89 per day. Therefore, using the same equation as before, the total amount for 21 days would be €792.27.

To prove you have the financial means to support yourself, you can present recent bank statements, payslips, traveler's checks, or cash. Also, these amounts are subject to change. Therefore, we recommend contacting your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate to ensure you have the correct amount.

• A Return Plane Ticket

Italian authorities will want proof that you plan to travel back to your home country after your visit. You can show a return plane ticket that includes all your travel dates. Also, you can include an itinerary with all your plans and travel dates.

• Proof Of Accommodation

You may be asked to prove where you'll be staying while visiting Italy. Documents you can use as proof of accommodation include a rental agreement, hotel bookings, or an Airbnb booking. If you plan to live with a friend or family member, you can present an invitation letter from them.

• Valid Medical Insurance

When traveling to other countries, you should obtain valid medical insurance. Your medical insurance must cover all medical expenses that may occur, be valid across the entire EU, be valid for the duration of your stay, and provide medical coverage of a minimum of €30,000.

Before applying for your Italian Schengen Visa, you'll need to obtain the following required documents:

• A Valid Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date back to your home country. Furthermore, it must be in good condition and not older than 10 years. Also, you'll need to have 2 blank visa pages available for your new visa sticker/stamp.

• 2 Passport Photos

With your Schengen Visa application form, you'll need to provide at least 2 passport-sized photos. Ensure that it meets the following requirements.

• A Filled Out Schengen Visa Application Form

There are 3 ways of completing your Schengen Visa application form. Firstly, you can opt to go to your local embassy and collect the application form from there. Once you have collected your form, you can fill it out. Secondly, you can opt to download the Schengen Visa application form online. After doing this, you can fill out the form and submit it at the embassy whenever you are ready to start the application process. Lastly, you can fill out the form online, print the form (ensure that your form contains the 2D barcode), and then submit it at the Italian Embassy. The information you provide on your application form must be correct and accurate. Incorrect information could lead to your visa application being denied.

• A Return Flight Ticket

You'll need to prove that you plan to travel back to your home country before your initial 90 days are over. A return flight will include all your travel dates that help prove you intend to return to your home country. You can also provide a complete travel itinerary that includes your travel dates, agenda, and the other Schengen Member States you plan to visit.

• Proof Of Financial Means

When you plan to visit Italy, you must have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your trip.

For a stay of up to 5 days, you can expect to present a total amount of €269.60 per person.

For a stay of 6 - 10 days, you can expect to have an amount of €44.93 per day.

For a stay of 11 - 20 days, you can expect to have an initial fixed amount of €51.64 and an additional amount of €36.57 per day. For example: If your trip is 11 days, you'll need €402.27 (€36.57 x 11 days) plus the fixed amount of €51.64. The total amount would be €453.91.

For stays that exceed 20 days, you can expect a fixed amount of €206.58 and an additional amount of €27.89 per day. Therefore, using the same equation as before, the total amount for 21 days would be €792.27.

Documents you can use to prove you can support yourself include recent bank statements, payslips, traveler's checks, or cash. Also, these amounts are subject to change. Therefore, we recommend contacting your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate to ensure you have the correct amount.

• Proof Of Accommodation

You must provide proof of your accommodation when you plan to visit Italy. Your proof of accommodation can include a hotel reservation, an Airbnb booking, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a family member or friend where you'll be staying.

• Medical/Health Insurance

One of the requirements for an Italian Schengen Visa is obtaining valid medical insurance. Your medical insurance must provide medical cover across the entire EU, it must be valid for the duration of your trip, it must cover all medical expenses or medical treatments that may occur during your visit, and it must provide medical coverage of a minimum of €30,000.

In addition to the documents mentioned above, you may need to comply with Italy's COVID-19 regulations and rules. For more information, you can check our COVID-19 information of Italy.

You'll also need to provide documents based on your employment status. You can provide the following documents:

If You're Employed

• An employment contract
• Your bank statements for the past 6 months
• A letter from your employer stating that they do not object to you being absent from work. It must include your employer's details, the date when you'll be absent from work, that you're an employee of the company, and that you can financially support yourself.
• An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form

If You're Self-Employed

• An Income Tax Return (ITR) Form
• A copy of your company's bank statement from the past 6 months
• A copy of your business license

If You're A Student

• Proof that you're enrolled at a recognized education institution.
• A letter from your educational institution stating they do not object that you'll be absent from school. It should also include the name of the person writing the letter, the date it is written, that you're a student, how long you'll be absent from school, and that you can financially support yourself for the duration of the trip.

If You're Retired

• An official document or certificate that proves you're a retiree or any relevant document.
• Your bank statements for the past 6 months.

The required documents for your visa application might be different depending on the country you're from. For additional information or more up-to-date information contact your Italian Consulate before starting your application to ensure that you collect the correct documents.

What Type Of Travel Insurance Should I Get For A Italy Schengen Visa Application

Because most Schengen countries provide public healthcare, travel insurance is required to obtain an Italian Schengen visa, so visitors don't become a financial burden on Italy's health system in the event of unforeseen issues. The insurance should explicitly meet these requirements:

• Coverage of at least EUR 30,000.
• Be valid in all 26 Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
• Cover medical emergency expenses and anything connected with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
• For those hoping to get a longer-term Schengen visa, it is advisable to provide travel insurance that lasts the whole year as per the EU directive

"Applicants for a uniform visa for more than two entries (multiple entries) shall prove possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering the period of their first intended visit. In addition, such applicants shall sign the statement, set out in the application form, declaring that they are aware of the need to be in possession of travel medical insurance for subsequent stays."

Pro Tip: Check if your employer provides insurance coverage. Often that works if you present a letter/insurance card along with coverage details highlighting the coverage amount.

Now that you know the required documents for your Italy Schengen Visa, you can start the application process. Before you start, be sure you read our guide on the top mistakes you should avoid when applying for your visa.

Next, we'll discuss how you can easily apply for your Schengen Visa to Italy.

Step 1 - Gather All The Required Documents For Your Italy Schengen Visa

First, you need to gather all the documents you require for your Schengen Visa. We recommend starting this first as it takes the most time. In some cases, you'll need to wait a few weeks for a document. This can be due to unforeseen circumstances or uncontrollable events. Therefore, collecting your documents beforehand can save you time and frustration.

Pro tip: We recommend you create a checklist for your document. Creating a checklist for your documents is very beneficial. You can keep track of your documents and what you still need to get.

Step 2 - Fill Out Your Italian Schengen Visa Application Form

Once you have collected your documents, you can fill out your Schengen Visa application form. Above, we mentioned 3 ways you can get your application form. When filling it out, read through the form carefully and ensure that the information you provide is accurate and correct. Not providing the correct information can lead to your visa being delayed or even denied. Check this guide to learn about the mistakes you must avoid when filling out your Schengen Visa application form.

Pro tip: If you are unsure about the details you need to fill in, refer to your travel document. This can be your passport or any other government-issued document. For example: If you have 2 names on your passport, fill in both those names in the "full name" field on your application form.

Step 3 - Schedule Your Schengen Visa Appointment

After completing your application form, you'll need to submit it and your supporting documents in person at your local Italian Embassy or Consulate. To do this, you'll need to schedule an appointment. There are 2 ways you can schedule your appointment:

1. Use the Atlys appointment tool at the top of this article. This is quick and efficient. If you have any problems, you can contact Atlys's friendly and helpful customer service.

2. Contact your local Italian Embassy or the Consulate General of Italy. Keep in mind that there aren't always a lot of appointment slots available. Therefore, be sure that you schedule your appointment well before the date you plan to leave for Italy.

After you have scheduled your appointment, write down the date and create a reminder. You don't want to miss your appointment and risk not getting your Italy Schengen Visa.

Step 4 - Attend Your Italian Schengen Visa Appointment

Now that you have scheduled your appointment, you need to attend it. On the day of your appointment, you need to head over to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in person. There you'll have an in-person interview with an embassy official.

During your interview, you'll be asked numerous questions about your trip to Italy and the purpose thereof. Ensure that you answer the questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. Also, during your interview, you'll need to submit all your supporting documents. Ensure you have the original documents and the copies thereof.

After your interview, embassy officials will collect your biometric data. Your biometric data most commonly consists of a digital photo and your fingerprints.

Step 5 - Pay The Schengen Visa Fee

You're almost finished! You now need to pay the visa application fee when you've completed the interview. This can be done while you're at the embassy. You can expect to pay around €80 per adult application and €40 for children between 6 and 12 years. Children under the age of 6 don't need to pay an application fee.

Depending on the embassy you're applying at, you may need to pay for your application before or after your interview.

Step 6 - Collect Your Italian Schengen Visa

Congratulations! You've successfully applied for your Italy Schengen Visa. Now all you need to do is wait for feedback from the Italian Embassy or Consulate. If your application is successful, you'll be informed via mail, email, or your preferred contact method. Successful applicants need to travel back to the embassy to collect their new visas.

Suppose, in the unfortunate event, you receive unfavorable feedback. In that case, you can appeal the initial visa decision made by Embassy authorities.

Once you have your new Italy Tourist Schengen Visa, you can legally travel to Italy for tourist purposes.

What Are The Photo Specifications For A Italy Visa Application

The photo requirements for an Italian Schengen visa follow ICAO standards.

• Two identical photos. Not older than six months.- Photo size: 35x45mm or 2 in x 2 in.- In color. No black and white
• Head should cover most of the photo. Italy may make exceptions for religious reasons. Exceptions to this and the other requirements may be made in case of a permanent medical condition.
• White background.

What Are The Requirements For Minors Applying For A Visa To Italy

Children require a Schengen visa to travel to Italy. In addition to all the standard documents, you've to provide the following.

• Application form signed by both parents
• Birth certificate of the child- If a child is traveling alone, a notarized parental authorization is signed by both parents or guardians.
• Passport or ID copies of both parents.
• For students: present school certificate of enrolment/attendance, absence.
• The visa must be applied for in-person (12 years of age or older) together with the presence of at least one parent.
• Applications have to be submitted at least 21 days before the expected travel date.

If the child travels with one of the parents, then a notarized permission letter must be issued from the other parent. In case of the parents' absence (divorce, death, etc.), a relevant official certificate (i.e., divorce, death, etc.) must be presented. Additionally, copies of IDs of parents are also required.

The visa photo requirements for children vary slightly. Children aged 5 and under do not need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera, and their heads do not have to be centered in the photo. Babies under one year do not have to have their eyes open.