Complete guide to obtain an entry visa for sports competitions in Italy

The decision to participate in sports competitions in Italy may stem from a variety of motivations, including a passion for the sport, the opportunity to compete in internationally prestigious events, or sporting experience at a competitive and professional level. The applicant must notify the relevant body, as well as the organizer (premise III), of his or her desire to participate in the sporting event. It implies that the athlete and his or her staff, before applying for an entry visa for sports competitions, should contact the Italian organizing body to inform them of the desire to participate.

Following the decision of participating to the sports event held in Italy by a CONI-recognized organizing body, the athlete and his/her staff are obliged to inform the organizers. This step is indispensable since, after receiving the notice of participation, the recognized organizing body will transmit, in written form, a document certifying participation in the sports event in Italy. Please note, the document transmitted by the organizing body does not correspond to the invitation required for the application for an entry visa for sports competitions in Italy, but represents only the confirmation of participation.

The third procedural step required in order to obtain a visa for sports competitions in Italy is to obtain an invitation from the relevant sports federation/club. After providing the data required by the inviting body (names, dates of birth, professional classification etc.), the latter provides the applicant with an invitation to participate in the sports competition. At this point, the athlete and his staff can formally proceed with the application for an entry visa for sports competitions at the Italian diplomatic consular authorities in the country of origin.

As always, Welcome Association Italy recommends visiting the institutional portal Visa for Italy in order to understand what documentation the applicant will need to submit to the Italian authorities. In case of an entry visa for sports competitions, the documentation to be gathered is composed by:

– Passport. It must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from Italy. It is also important to check that it has sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps.

– Visa application form. Completed and signed by the applicant. The form can be downloaded from the Italian Embassy website or picked up in person at the consulate or embassy.

– Photographs. Recent color photographs that conform to the specifications of the Italian embassy or consulate.

– Letter of invitation. Official letter of invitation from the organizer of the sports event in Italy (3). This letter should specify the details of the event, including the dates, location and nature of the applicant’s participation.

– Health insurance. Medical coverage that is valid for the entire duration of the stay in Italy. The insurance should cover medical expenses, hospitalization and possible repatriation for health reasons.

– Possession of adequate economic resources. Not less than the amount established by the Ministry of the Interior according to the directive of theArticle 4, paragraph 3 of the Consolidation Act no. .

– Round-trip travel ticket (or reservation thereof) or proof of availability of personal transportation.

– Accommodation Reservation. Details of booking accommodation in Italy during the period of participation in the sports competitions. A hotel booking confirmation or a letter of hospitality from a friend or relative residing in Italy may be fine.

Once the necessary documentation has been prepared, the applicant must submit the visa application to the Italian embassy or consulate in his or her country of residence. During this process, it is important to pay consular fees and provide all the required information accurately and completely. Some embassies also allow the application to be submitted through an online system, simplifying the process for applicants. The best thing to do at this stage of the process is to stay in touch with the Italian authorities so that they can act promptly if there are any problems with the submitted documentation.

Once the application has been approved, the foreigner applicant will receive an entry visa to participate in sports competitions in Italy. It is essential to keep a copy of the visa with your travel documents and present it to the immigration officer upon arrival in Italy. The visa will indicate the dates of validity, conditions of stay and the maximum number of days allowed in Italy. Welcome Association Italy always suggests checking that all the information on the visa is correct, to avoid problems upon arrival on Italian soil.

Upon arrival in Italy, the foreigner must present the visa to the staff of the Italian authorities at the point of entry (airport, port or train station). It is important to be prepared to answer any questions regarding the reason for travel, length of stay, and details of the sporting event. Be aware that before you can devote yourself to preparing for the sporting event in Italy, there is one more administrative step that needs to be followed.

Within eight days of arrival in Italy, the applicant must register with the relevant local authorities. This formality is called a declaration of presence. This step may include a visit to the Ufficio Anagrafe of the municipality of residence or the local Questura and to request additional information about staying in Italy. During this process, you may need to present your passport, visa and other relevant documents.