.png)
GENERAL INFORMATION AND VFS CENTER
- Data protection
- Schengen Visa (C Type)
- National Visa (D Type)
- Eligibility
- Appointments
- Processing time
- Number of entries
- Information for foreign nationals
- Contacts
Information on the protection of individuals with reference to the processing of personal data for the issuance of an entry visa in Italy and in the Schengen area (General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, art. 13) click HERE.
The Schengen Visa is a short-term visa (up to 90 days), which allows the visa holder to travel in all of the 26 European Countries that signed the Schengen Agreement, namely: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
If you intend to visit one or more Schengen Countries in the course of a single trip, you MUST apply for a visa at the Consulate of the Country that is your main destination (i.e. where you will stay longer). If, in the course of your trip, you will spend an equal amount of time in different Countries, the visa MUST be requested at the Consulate of the Schengen Country port of entry.
Please note that the border authorities may refuse entry to a foreign national who does not meet all requirements.
The National Visa is a long-term visa (over 90 days) issued by the Italian Consulate for various purposes (work, study, family reunion, diplomatic or military mission, adoption, elective residency, etc). This type of visa also allows a foreign national, who is awaiting a residency permit in Italy, to move freely within any other Schengen Country for up to a maximum of 90 days within 6 months from the initial date of validity of the visa. A foreign national who has been granted an Italian National Visa must report to the Questura (Central Police Station) within 8 working days from the date of entry to apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit). Please note that failing to report to the Questura, might compromise your ability to legally reside in Italy.
Do you need a visa? Check HERE
- Applicants residing outside Scotland and Northern Ireland and holders of a U.K. C-visit visa are not eligible to apply in this consular jurisdiction. If you live in England or Wales, please visit the web site of the Italian Consulate in London (click HERE);
- You can apply for a visa up to six months before departure and no later than 15 days before departure;
- If applicable, U.K. Residence Permit/Card must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the returning date of your trip;
- You must possess a valid passport, not older than 10 years (older passports will not be accepted) and with at least two blank pages available. Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date of the trip.
It is your own responsibility to have a visa appointment booked with this Consulate or VFS, before making any travel arrangements and booking tickets or accommodation.
Please note: this consular office is not always able to offer appointments. If you are unable to find an available appointment at the Consulate (HERE), you must book at the VFS centre (see below).
- All applications must be submitted by the applicant in person (minors must be present), by prior appointment only at the Consulate or at the VFS centre;
- The Consulate and VFS DO NOT accept postal applications;
- Each applicant must book an individual appointment slot (this includes minors);
- For a full list of required documents please select the type of visa you wish to apply for from the menu on the left;
- If all items listed in the relevant visa category are not presented in full and exactly as required, the applicant will have to reschedule a new appointment.
To book an appointment at VFS click HERE. Please note an extra fee will be applied as service charge.
VFS Joint Visa Application Centre
1 Rennie’s Isle
Leith, Edinburgh
EH6 6QT
email: info.itU.K.@vfshelpline.com
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
It varies from 2 to 15 days, depending on the type of visa and citizenship of the applicant. In some cases it may require up to 45 days for Schengen Visas and up to 90 days for National Visa.
Please be aware that it is not possible to rush processing time because the system is completely automated.
You can apply for a visa no more than six months before the start of the intended visit, and no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended visit; for seafarers in the performance of their duties, no more than 9 months in advance to the intended travel date.
Visas are issued at the discretion of the Consulate upon fulfilments of all requirements of Law.
One entry: If the applicant's purpose of travel is one particular event defined in time, only one entry should be allowed for;
Two entries: If the applicant’s purpose of travel is one particular event defined in time, but during that visit he wishes to exist and then re-enter the Schengen area, he should be issued a two-entry visa;
Multiple entries: When a multiple-entry visa is issued with a period of validity between 6 months and 5 years, the duration of authorised stay is always 90 days (per 180 day-period). Visas allowing for multiple entries with a validity of less than 6 months should only be issued if a visa for one or two entries would not cover the travel pattern of the applicant during the (short) validity period. A multiple-entry shall only be issued Under the following circumstances (‘cascade’ system):
- An applicant has obtained and lawfully used three uniform* visas within the previous two years (counted from the date of lodging the fourth application). Provided that the travel document’s validity allows for it, a multiple-entry visa valid for one year shall be issued;
- An applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry uniform* visa valid for one year within the previous two years (counted from the date of lodging the current application). Provided that the travel document’s validity allows for it, a multiple-entry visa valid for two years shall be issued;
- An applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry uniform* visa valid for two years within the previous three years (counted from the date of lodging the current application). Provided that the travel document’s validity allows for it, a multiple-entry visa valid for five years shall be issued.
* Airport transit visas or visas with limited territorial validity issued under Article 25(1) shall not be considered.
INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS
Rights and duties of foreign nationals for short stays in the Schengen Area (click HERE)
Rights and duties of foreign nationals for long-term entries and stays in Italy (click HERE)
