Welcome Tourists

Everything you need to know about the tourist entry visa in Italy

Steps for applying for a tourist visa to in Italy

Italy is among the top 5 most visited countries in the world in terms of tourism. Not everyone knows that in order to legally enter in Italy, it is necessary to apply for a tourist visa. To support non-EU citizens who intend to travel to Italy to visit the country’s historical, scenic and artistic wonders, Welcome Association Italy offers a detailed guide on how to apply for and obtain a tourist entry visa in Italy. This guide will take you through the basic steps for a regular visa application and provide useful information for your arrival and stay in Italy.

Background:

The tourist entry visa is the title that allows a stay for tourist purposes, up to 90 days, in Italy.
The title falls under the category of Uniform Schengen Visas (U.S.V.) and as such, grants free movement in Schengen Acquis member countries.
Not all non-EU citizens need to apply for a tourist visa in Italy. Check to see if your country is on the list of countries that do not require a visa. For the avoidance of doubt, following is the list of countries that require a tourist visa to enter Italy: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Palestinian Authority, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Belarus, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), North Korea, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican (Republic), Ecuador, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Philippines, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Jamaica, Djibouti, Jordan, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Myanmar, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Western Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, East Timor, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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Let’s explore the main steps related to the procedure for applying for a tourism visa in Italy

1. Preliminary information gathering.

Before starting the visa application process, it is important to gather all relevant information regarding travel to Italy, including the expected length of stay, the places to be visited and the reason for the trip. In addition to this information, it is necessary to understand what documentation is required by the Italian diplomatic-consular authorities in the country of origin in order to issue the entry visa. To this end, Welcome Association Italy recommends consulting relevant institutional portals such as:

Visa for Italy;
Italian Embassy in Country of Origin website.

Thanks to these portals, it is very easy to find bureaucratic and administrative information to properly apply for a tourist visa.

2. Documentation for visa application

Diplomatic and consular authorities require a number of documents for visa applications. These documents can change depending on several factors, such as the country of origin and the applicant’s criminal record. Net of these variations, it is possible to say that the documents definitely required are:

Passport with residual validity of at least six months,
Completed and signed visa application form,
Two recent photographs meeting the requirements of the italian authorities,
letter of invitation (in the case of tourism – friends/family),
Hotel reservations or confirmation of accommodation,
Health insurance valid for the entire period of stay,
Financial documents proving your ability to support yourself during your stay.

In addition to these documents, a bank/insurance guarantee, booking of round-trip tickets to and from the country of origin, a criminal record certificate etc. may be required.

3. Visa application procedure

The next step is to proceed with the visa application at the Italian embassy or consulate in the country of origin. The application can be made electronically, finding the information and modalities on the website of the Italian representations, or in person, going to the diplomatic or consular offices. You must carefully follow the instructions provided by consular authorities and make sure to submit all required documents correctly and completely. In case the applicant has not filled out the tourist visa application correctly, the Italian authorities may:

Deny the request by issuing a visa denial. This scenario takes place when the applicant presents false documentation or simply he/she does not meet the requirements to travel for tourism in Italy.

Contact and summon the applicant. This scenario is realized when the documentation is not complete. In this case, consulates and embassies allow the missing documentation to be submitted at close quarters;

4. Arrival in Italy

Once the visa application is submitted, the Italian representations process it and proceed with the issuance notice. Upon arrival in Italy, it is important to comply with Italian laws and regulations. For example, it is essential to carry identification documents (passport with visa) and pass immigration control upon arrival in the Bel Paese or Schengen Area. In addition to bureaucratic and administrative formalities, it is important to keep in mind several elements that could affect the outcome of the vacation in Italy. Here are some ever-useful tips:

personal safety. It is advisable to constantly maintain awareness of your personal safety. Avoid displaying valuables and watch out for potential pickpockets, especially in crowded places such as markets and public transportation.
Respect for traditions and culture.Respect for local traditions and Italian culture is an indispensable element of the good traveler. In addition, it is advisable to pay attention to dress code, especially when visiting places of worship or historical sites.
Beware of food and drink. It is important to enjoy Italian cuisine, paying attention to what you eat and drink. Culinary tourism, in fact, is one of the main reasons that bring more than 60 million tourists to the Bel Paese.
Use of transportation. It is recommended to use public transportation or rent a car for travel. Observe traffic rules and purchase tickets before boarding public transportation.
Exploration beyond the main tourist attractions. In addition to the most renowned destinations, it’s recommendable to explore hidden gems and less touristy cities to fully discover the true essence of Italy.
Appreciation of language and culture.It is advisable to learn some basic words in Italian and try to immerse yourself in the local culture. Your experience in Italy will be enriched if you are able to communicate with locals and understand their culture.

5. Rights and duties of the non-EU tourist

The holder of a tourist entry visa does not have to sign any integration agreement upon arrival, given the short nature of his stay. At the same time, it should be reiterated that he has rights and obligations.

RIGHTS	DUTIES
Right of temporary stay The visa holder has the right to stay in Italy for the period specified in the visa, generally up to 90 days for tourism purposes.	Compliance with Italian laws and regulations The visa holder is required to comply with Italian laws and regulations while in the country.
Right to Move The visa holder has the right to move freely within the Schengen Area, which includes most European countries, without the need for additional visas.	Compliance with exit conditions The visa holder is required to leave Italy before the expiration of the period of stay allowed by the visa, unless he or she applies for and obtains a visa extension.
Rights guaranteed by Italian law The visa holder is entitled to receive the same protections and rights guaranteed by Italian law to foreigners on a temporary visit to the country.	Compliance with visa conditions The visa holder must comply with the conditions specified in the visa, including the validity dates and the maximum length of stay allowed.
	Declaration of presence Visa holders must declare their presence to the relevant authorities (usually the Questura) within 8 working days of arrival in Italy. This can be done at post offices or through other channels specified by the authorities.

W.A.I. c’è sempre, anche prima del tuo arrivo. W.A.I. c’è sempre, anche prima del tuo arrivo.

Welcome Association Italy for non-EU tourists

By following the simple steps outlined in this brief giuda, applying for and obtaining a tourist visa will be a breeze. Bureaucratic and administrative requirements are not as demanding as for other reasons for entry and/or residence permits. At the same time, when applying for the title, one must be punctual and careful in submitting documentation to avoid incurring denial. Having overcome this obstacle, all that remains is to enjoy the short stay in a country with a thousand-year-old culture.

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