DO YOU WANT TO GO TO ITALY? YOU WILL NEED A VISA!
An entry visa is a permit required by persons wishing to enter Italy for a temporary visit. Depending on the purpose and duration of your stay in Italy you can either apply for a short-term “Schengen visa” (C visa) or for a long-term “Italian national visa” for stays over 90 days (D Visa).
C visas are generally issued for tourism, business travel, family visits.
Long-stay visas (national D visas) are issued for stays exceeding 3 months. The main reasons for issuing this type of visa are study, work and family reunion.
You can find general information on visas below. In order to understand which is the visa category that better suits your need please visit the page Un visto per l’Italia . For further information on each type of visa and requisite documents, please refer to the entries in the above menu.
WHO CAN APPLY?
All Indians citizens resident in the areas under the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General, i.e Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to visa obligation (please, check here the list) legally residing in the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General.
All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to visa obligation who are legally present in India on temporary basis and can present a credible justification for lodging an application in India rather than in their country of residence. The Consulate General of Italy in Bangalore retains the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.
ACCEPTED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Here you can download an excel file spelling out, for each third country and territorial entity, which travel documents are accepted by Italy (and by other Schengen countries). As far as India is concerned, the document specifies that Italy accepts Indian ordinary, diplomatic and service passports.
Please be informed that passport\travel document must:
- Have been issued within the previous 10 years, and its validity must not exceed 10 years;
- have a validity of at least 3 months after intended stay;
- have at least 2 blank pages.
RESIDENCY CRITERIA
The Consulate General of Italy in Bangalore could accept applications only from Indian applicants residing in the areas under its jurisdiction, i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
If you reside in other areas of India you should apply either at the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi (competent for the North-West) Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata (competent for the North-East and Nepal), or at the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai (competent for the West, Goa and Kerala).
If you are a Nepali citizen, please apply at the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata.
In order to apply for a visa you should have been legally residing in the relevant consular jurisdiction for at least the last 6 months.
However, an application may be accepted from a person legally present – but not residing – in the jurisdiction of the consulate where the application is submitted, if he can justify in a credible manner (supplying relevant documents and certificates) why the application could not be lodged in his place of residence. It is for the consulate to appreciate whether the justification presented by the applicant is acceptable.
Example: Akansha resides in the US where she’s studying at Columbia University. Like every year, during summer she comes back to India for two weeks to visit her family. After that, she wishes to proceed to Italy to visit Rome and Florence. She wishes to apply for the visa to travel to Italy at the Italian Consulate General in Bangalore. She claims that the waiting time for obtaining an appointment for submitting the application at the Italian consulate in New York is too long.
In this case, the Consulate General of Italy in Bangalore will not accept to deal with the application, because Akansha’s justification is unfounded. Akansha should have applied for the Italian visa in New York.
MY TRIP COVERS MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS INCLUDING ITALY …DO I NEED A VISA FOR ITALY?
If the travel destination includes more than one Schengen Member State, the application must be dealt with by the Embassy/Consulate of the main destination. The main destination is understood to be the destination where the applicant intends to spend the longest time or where the main purpose of the intended journey is carried out.
Namely, Schengen visa applicants can apply to the Italian Consulate General or the Italy Visa Application Centre if:
- Italy is the sole destination of the visit
- or, in case visit includes more than one Schengen country, if Italy is the main destination in terms of the length or purpose of stay
- or, in case no main destination can be determined, if Italy is the external border where the applicant intends to enter Schengen territory.
WHEN TO APPLY?
Visa applicants are hereby informed that applications cannot be lodged earlier than six months before the start of the intended journey, and at least 15 calendar days before the start of the trip. As applications peak during the months of April through July, it is advisable to apply well in advance. This will help towards the smooth organisation of your trip to Italy.
The general deadline to process a Schengen visa application (C type) at the Consulate, as per Schengen Visa Code, is a maximum of 15 days, which may be extended up to a maximum of 45 days in individual cases, notably where further scrutiny of the application is needed. Processing times for National visas (D type) are on average longer, generally up to 90 days except for family reunion and employment cases for which are up to 30 days and for self-employment which are up to 120 days, taken into account also the very accurate and thorough examination they are submitted to (and that can include a series of additional verifications).
Please also be informed that processing times for a C Visa are up to 15 days. If you wish to submit your application last minute, just few days before your departure, you can do it at your own peril but there is no assurance that your visa will be processed on time for your flight.
In any case, please note that applying for a visa is a process that could end both with the issuance of a visa or with a refusal. You are invited thus to seek for refundable tickets and hotel bookings. In any case the Consulate General of Italy is not responsible for any financial loss connected to your trip and in which you can incur if the visa is not granted.
WHERE TO APPLY
Visa applications can be submitted upon appointment to the VFS Visa Application Centres located in
- Bangalore
Italy Visa Application Centre,
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd,
3rd Floor, Embassy Star Building,
8th Main Road, Vasanth Nagar,
Bengaluru 560051
- Chennai
Italy Visa Application Centre,
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd,
Ramee Mall , No 365, Anna Salai, 2nd Floor,
Poes Road, Subbarayan Nagar, Teynampet,
Chennai – 600018, Tamilnadu, India
- Hyderabad
Italy Visa Application Centre,
VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd,
Unit 1, Lower Concourse, Punjagutta Metro Station,
8-2-340/1, Punjagutta Officers Colony, Punjagutta,
Hyderabad, Telangana – 500082
Other VFS Centers are in areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Italy in Delhi (New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh) and Consulates Generals of Mumbai (Mumbai, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Pune) and Kolkata (Kolkata, Guwahati and Kathmandu).
VFS Contact Centre:
Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita
Email: infosouth.italyin@vfshelpline.com
Tel: 91 22 67866004 (between 08:00 and 17:00, from Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
The use of the Visa Application Centres is not mandatory; the resulting additional costs are to be paid directly to VFS Global. All applications will be assessed and decided by the Visa Section of the Italian Consulate General, in accordance with the Italian / Schengen immigration legislation and policy. VFS Application Centre staff does not have the authority to assess visa applications or make visa decisions.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FRAUDULENT PRACTICES:
All applicants are recommended to distrust from agencies/agents/brokers/VFS staff/translator offering visa facilitation services upon payment of additional fees and they are requested to report any such case and/or names of potential mediators to the Consulate General.
Distrust from people claiming to know “shortcuts” and promising fast track evaluation of visa applications and/or a guaranteeing in advance a positive outcome of the procedure.
No local employee of the Visa section of this Consulate has decisional power on visa applications. VFS Application Centre staff does not have the authority to assess visa applications or make visa decisions.
The Consulate entertains no relation with sellers outside its premises or outside the VFS Global offices who offer services for payment. No sellers can influence either the processing period or the decision.
Correct visa fees for each kind of visa are specified in the section below.
In addition to the visa fees, persons applying through our outsourcing agency, VFS Global, are required to pay the VFS service charge. Additional services (photocopying etc) at VFS are provided at a cost which is always clearly mentioned on the VFS Global’s website https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita
In case of requests exceeding the above mentioned amounts or if you find that any of the Consulate, or VFS Global staff or any other persons offers you a visa for money (in addition to the visa fee and the service fee), for other favours or else behaves in a corrupt way or if you remark any other alleged irregularity concerning visa procedures fees, you are invited to write an e-mail to bangalore.visa@esteri.it
Please be aware that anonymous e-mails or e-mails without a valid contact number will not be taken into consideration. General complaints or enquiries should also be addressed to bangalore.visa@esteri.it.
VISA FEES
Please note that the EUR-INR exchange rate is periodically adjusted. Hence visa fees in rupees could vary over time.
Visa fees, Jan 1st 2025 – Mar 31st 2025:
| National D visas | 116 € | 10,480 ₹ |
| National study visas | 50 € | 4,520 ₹ |
| Schengen visas | 90 € | 8,130 ₹ |
| Schengen study visa | Free | Free |
| Children from the age of 6 years and below the age of 12 years | 45 € | 4,070 ₹ |
Visa fees are waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:
- children under 6 years
- school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training
- researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research as defined in Recommendation No 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 to facilitate the issue by the Member States of uniform short-stay visas for researchers from third countries travelling within the Community for the purpose of carrying out scientific research
- representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations
- EU/EEA citizens family members, when accompanying or joining the EU/EEA relative, falling under Directive 2004/38/CE and Italian Legislative Decree 30/2007:
- a) spouses;
- b) partner (in case of bounding civil union, compared by hosting Member State’s law to marriage and not in violation of hosting Member State law);
- c) direct descendants under the age of 21 or dependants, including spouses’ and legal partners’ descendants;
- d) direct ascendants, including spouses’ and legal partners’ ascendants;
- diplomatic passport holders.
HOW TO PAY THE VISA FEES
If you are applying in a visa application centre in cash or by demand draft or NEFT. If you apply at the VFS visa application centre you will be charged the additional outsourcer’s service fee.
BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION (VISA INFORMATION SYSTEM)
As from late 2015, all Schengen visa applicants are required to provide their biometric data (10 fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a Schengen visa. All applicants will have to apply in person when fingerprints have to be taken for the first time. Since biometric data information are stored for 59 months, in case of following visa applications it won’t be necessary to come again in person. It is a simple and quick procedure that only takes a few minutes.
Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the federal government (not of Parliaments or state governments!) with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.
For more information please refer to this document, and also read the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage and the website of the European Commission.
Starting from 11 January, 2025, Italy will require fingerprint capture also for national visas.
EU/EEA CITIZENS’ FAMILY MEMBERS:
EU/EEA citizens family members benefit of a privileged treatment accorded by law (Directive 2004/38/CE and Italian Legislative Decree 30/2007) and are exempted from visa fees.
EU/EEA family members, as indicated by EU Directive 2004/38/CE , can submit visa applications directly at Consulate General from Monday to Friday between 10.30 am to 12.30 pm prior appointment by sending an email to bangalore.visa@esteri.it or, in case the applicants prefer to submit their applications through a VFS centre, by calling at VFS Helpline Number +91 22 67866004. VFS will not charge EU/EEA family members for this service of telephonic appointment booking.
NEVER USE THE EMERGENCY PHONE OF THE CONSULATE GENERAL FOR VISA-RELATED QUERIES.
The Consulate General does not disclose details on visa application on the phone nor gives information on the status nor answer to questions whose content is already covered by this website.
For tracking your visa status connect to the VFS website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita
In case you still need to connect to the visa section, please call the Consulate main line from Monday to Friday, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Holding a valid visa does not automatically give the right of entry to Schengen area
Please, be aware that holding a short-stay visa does not automatically entitle to enter Schengen area. Once arrived at Schengen border control, or during other controls, travellers may be asked to provide information on means of support, on how long they intend to stay in the Schengen State, and why they are visiting the Schengen State.
It is therefore recommended to carry with you copies of the documents presented when you applied for the visa (e.g. letters of invitation, travel confirmations, other documents stating the purpose of stay). For more information, please read art. 5 of Schengen borders code .
What happens if visa is refused
Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal. Appeals must be brought against refusal decisions directly at the T.A.R. of the Latium Region, through a lawyer acting on applicant behalf, within 60 days of the serving of the decision itself. The appeal will have to be notified, under penalty of nullity (as per art. 144 of C.P.C. and art. 11 of R.D. no. 1611 of 1933), to the relevant “Avvocatura dello Stato”.
For family reunion visas only, appeals must be addressed to the ordinary court (“Tribunale ordinario”) of the place of residence of the family member living in Italy.
How to read a Schengen visa sticker and correctly use your Schengen visa
“Duration of stay … days” indicates the number of days you may stay in the Schengen area. The days should be counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (the entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (the exit stamp), i.e. both days included. The period of time between “From … until” is usually longer than the number of days printed in the “Duration of stay”. The difference in period is meant to give you flexibility to plan your entry into and exit from the Schengen area, but your stay in the Schengen area must never exceed the exact number of days in the “Duration of stay … days” filed. No matter how many days you have stayed in the Schengen area, you must leave no later than the date printed in the “Until” field.
Schengen visas entitle to one or two or multiple entries. Travelers who often need to go to Schengen area can apply for multi-entry visas up to 5 years. In case you are a multi-entry visa holder, please remember that for intended stays on the territory of the Member States duration of stay cannot be more than 90 days in any 180-day period, which entails considering the 180-day period preceding each day of stay. In order to avoid over-stay or to better know how many days you can still stay in Schengen territory, please check the European Commission calculator.
How to correctly use your Italian national visa
All Italian national visa holders, once arrived in Italy must convert their visa into a residence permit (“permesso di soggiorno”) applying within 8 working days from first entry in Italy. Applications must be submitted to relevant police authorities (“Questura”) of the Province of intended residence. Residence permit duration will be the same as indicated in the visa. Residence permits can be renovated or extended directly in Italy. To know the relevant police authority according to your destination, please check the following website.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For any further information, please read
- The website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- The portal Il Visto per l’Italia;
- the website of the European Commission.
For information regarding the status of the visa application, please contact VFS ( Welcome to VFS Global | vfsglobal )