Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Italy From the UK?
Any UK citizen who holds either a full UK passport or a BOTC, BOC, BPP or BS passport can travel to Italy visa-free. However, many non-EU nationals who reside in the UK are still required to get a Schengen visa to travel to Italy.
In recent years, following visa liberalization policies for non-EU countries, the number of countries whose nationals require visas to travel to Europe has slightly dropped.
Here is the list of nationalities that are still required to get a Schengen Visa to visit Italy and other Schengen states.
Below you can find more information on applying for a visa to Italy from the UK.
Who Can Apply for a Visa to Italy From the UK?
Citizens of these countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Italy are required to get an Italian visa in order to be allowed to enter Italy. The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least another three months beyond the date you plan to leave Italy / the Schengen Area.
Use theSchengen visa eligibility checkertool to find out if you qualify to apply for a visa to Italy from the UK.
If you have a 3-month UK visa, you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for an Italian Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK. Find out moreon how to extend your UK visa.
You should apply for a visa at the Italian Embassy/Consulate or Italian visa application centre in the UK if:
- Italy is the only Schengen country you plan on visiting
- Italy is your main destination (the country you will be staying the longest in)
- Italy is the first Schengen country you are visiting (when spending an equal amount of days in Italy and another Schengen country)
If you plan on staying in Italy for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residency permit in Italy (National D visa), not an Italian Schengen visa (Short-stay visa C).
If you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Italian Embassy/Consulate or Italian visa application centre in your country of residence and not in the UK.
Italy Visa Application Documents and Requirements for the UK Residents:
The following documents are required in order to obtain a visa to Italy in the UK:
- A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure that:
- Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
- Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
- Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
- A valid UK residency permit or other forms of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
- One application form is filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read the explanations carefully).
- One passport format photo that has a light background, is brightly coloured and shows full facial features. The photo must be less than six months old and be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
- Travel medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Italy and the entire Schengen area. The insurance policy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of a visit to Italy and itinerary,
- Proof of travel arrangements:
- Full travel itinerary
- Proof of onward travel tickets.
- If travelling by car:
- Copy of your driver’s license
- Car insurance
- Car registration or car rental documentation
- If applicable: Ferry tickets
- Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable).
- Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Italy, such as:
- Evidence of hotel reservations in Italy or rental agreement (with the applicant’s name on it) – Find and Book Cheap Hotels in Italy!, or
- A signedletter of invitation from your Italian host and a copy of the host’s passport or Identity card andHost’s Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
- Proof of financial subsistence:
- A recent statement of the UK bank account for the last three months shows funds of at least 50.00 ÂŁ for each day spent in Italy and/or other Schengen states.
- Cost of the itinerary (tickets and reservations).
- Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card as applicable). Certificates must be obtained within the last 6 months. If they are older, the Consular services will not accept them.
Important notes:
- Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Travel Documents holders (with the three letters code XXA or XXB appearing in the ICAO) must provide a birth certificate or Consular declaration containing the full names of their mother and father.
- Any certificates issued by a foreign authority (non-UK), have to be translated into English or Italian and legalised by either the Italian Consulate in the issuing country or by the Consulate of the issuing country that is located in the UK.
- If your certificates are issued by a Schengen country, then they will be accepted only if they are multilingual. Otherwise, they must also be translated and legalized accordingly.
- Starting from November 20, 2015 persons applying for a short-term visa to Italy are required to provide fingerprints (biometric data) as additional documents.
- Children younger than 12 years of age and applicants who are not physically capable of providing fingerprints are exempted from this procedure.
For UK employees:
- Recent employee letter
- Payslips of the last three months
- Current bank statement of the latest 3 months
For the self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
For foreign students in the UK:
- Proof of enrollment at UK education institution,
- No-objection certificate from school or university in the UK
For retirees:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
- Refusal letters of previous Schengen visas, or
- A cover letter that explains the reasons for refusal
If unemployed and married to an EU/EEA citizen:
- A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
- Spouse’s valid passport
- An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or Italian and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in the UK
Note: Full birth certificate and a marriage certificate issued outside the EEA countries must be duly translatedinto English andcertifiedeither by the Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in London of the country that issued the certificate/ortranslatedinto Italian andcertifiedby the Italian Consulate in the country of issue
Requirements for children under the age of 18:
Underage children must be accompanied by parents or an adult guardian at the application centre at the Italian Consulate General. Also, minors who are granted an Italian visa are not allowed to travel to Italy by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Italy.
Required documents for visa application for underage children
- Birth certificate
- Signed travel permission from both parents
- If one parent is not located in the UK they should submit their signed consent to the Italian Embassy/Consulate of their residing country
- A recent school attendance letter signed by the Head of School.
How to Apply for an Italy Visa From the UK?
The application procedure for an Italian visa in the UK is pretty similar to that in every other country in the world.
In order to apply for a visa to Italy in the UK you must follow these steps:
- Figure out which Italian short-stay visa type you need. There aredifferent Italian Schengen visa types depending on your purpose of travelling from the UK to Spain.
- Find out where you need to apply for an Italian visa in the UK.
- Decide when to apply for an Italian visa in the UK. The earliest time you can lodge your Italian visa application in the UK is 3 months before your planned trip while the latest time to is at least 15 working days before you intend to travel from the UK to Italy.
- Collect the mandatory Italy visa documents for UK Residents.
- Appoint an interview at the Italian visa application centre in the UK. You may make an Italian visa appointment online, through phone, or in person. Below in this article, you can find more information on how to make an Italian visa appointment.
- Attend the interview on the day of your appointment. Show up on time and try not to be nervous. Remember that the interview is a crucial part of your visa application.
- Pay the Italy visa fee.
- Wait for the processing of your Italian visa.
Booking an Italian visa appointment in the UK
To apply for an Italian visa in the UK, you must book a visa appointment with the Italian Consulate General in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
This can be done in three ways:
- You can apply in person only by prior appointment directly with the Consulate General of Italy in London (for all types of visas)
- The Consulate works Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM except on holidays
- Through the VFS Centres in London, Manchester and Cardiff (for tourism and business visas only).
The Consulate informs that 10 days prior to your scheduled appointment they will notify you via email to confirm your appointment. You must reply within 7 days or else the appointment will be cancelled 3 days before the scheduled day.
Note: All applicants, including children, are required to be present during the visa interview.
At which Italian consulate in the UK should I apply for a visa to Italy?
- If you are residing in England or Wales then you should apply with the Italian Consulate General in London or Manchester.
- If you are residing in Scotland or Northern Ireland then you should apply with the Italian Consulate General in Edinburgh
Schengen Visa Types for Short-Term Visits in Italy
You need to apply for an Italian Schengen visa if you intend to travel from the UK to Italy for the following reasons:
- business purposes.
- visiting friends and family.
- tourism and holidays.
- cultural and sports events.
- airport transit and transit for seafarers.
- official visit.
- medical reasons.
- short-term study purposes.
Depending on your reasons for visiting Italy and the frequency of your visits, the Italian consulates in London, Manchester orin Edinburgh can issue you asingle-entry visa,double-entry visa, or amultiple-entry visa.
Italy Visa Application Processing Time
You can apply for an Italy visa six months before your planned trip. Depending on the nationality of the applicant, the processing time may take 2 to 10 working days from the day of your application,
For better convenience, you are advised to submit your application at least three weeks before you plan on leaving the UK.
Italy Visa Fees for UK Residents
An Italian Schengen visa fee is the same as all the fees to any of the member states. If you are in the UK, and you are applying for a visa to Italy, the fee prices are as following:
Italy Schengen Visa Category | Fee in UK Pound | Fee in Euro |
Adult | 73 £ | 80 € |
Children between 6-12 years of age | 36.5 £ | 40 € |
Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling for official purposes | Free | Free |
A family member of an EU/EEA national | Free | Free |
Pupils, students and accompanying teachers during a school trip | Free | Free |
Researchers travelling to Italy to perform scientific research | Free | Free |
Despite the fact that these fees are static and unchangeable until the Schengen members decide otherwise altogether, there are some categories exempt from paying this amount.
The visa fee may also be waived for participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organized by non-profit organizations. The decision will be made case by case according to the relevance of the event.
Note: Keep in mind that these fees may change depending on currency fluctuations and can be paid only in UK Pounds. Payments can be made in cash, by credit or debit card. If you pay with a debit card there will be a fee of 1ÂŁ for each payment. Remember that a visa application fee is not refundable and does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa.
VFS Italian Visa Application Centres in the UK
- VFS in London
- VFS in Manchester
- VFS in Cardiff
VFS Joint Visa Application Centre
66 Wilson Street
London
EC2A 2JX
email:[emailprotected]
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
VFS Joint Visa Application Centre
No. 50 Devonshire Street North
Manchester
M12 6JH
email:[emailprotected]
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
VFS Joint Visa Application Centre
Temple Court
13a Cathedral Road
CF11 9HA Cardiff
email:[emailprotected]
Helpline number: 0871 376 0023
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if my visa is refused?
In case your visa is refused, you can either you can re-apply immediately or at any other time that you want. Pay attention to the reasons your visa was refused in order to improve chances of a positive answer
How long can UK residents stay in Italy?
UK residents can only stay up to 90 days in Italy within a period of 180 days.
You can check the number of remaining days through the 90/180 rule calculator.
Do I have to provide biometric data (fingerprints) every time I apply for an Italian visa?
For every application submitted within 59 months after your fingerprints were collected, you are not required to provide fingerprints. Once this period has passed your fingerprints will be collected again.
Do I need a visa to visit San Marino and/or Vatican City?
Although San Marino and Vatican City did not sign the Schengen agreement they are considered part of the Schengen area. If you have an Italy visa you are not required to obtain a specific visa for San Marino or the Vatican. You can travel freely to either of these microstates as no border control is performed when entering Italy.
Related visa information for the UK Residents:
- Schengen visa UK
- French visa UK
- Spanish visa UK
- Dutch visa UK
- Portuguese visa UK
- German visa UK
- Swedish visa UK
- Norwegian visa UK
- Greece visa UK
Other related information
- Italy Visa Application Requirements
- Italy Travel Restrictions Due To Coronavirus
Embassy & Consulates of Italy inthe United Kingdom
- Embassy of Italy in London, England
- Consulate General of Italy in London, England
- Italian Consulate General in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Italian Consulate in Manchester, England
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FAQs
Can I apply for an Italian visa from another country? ›
You must apply through the Italian Consulate where you reside permanently. This is true whether you live in the United States or in another country. Thus, you have to apply to the Consulate that covers your permanent residency.
How long does it take to get a visa to Italy from UK? ›You must submit your Italy Schengen Visa application at least three weeks before you intend to travel because it takes around three weeks for visa applications to be processed, if not longer.
Do I need a Schengen visa to visit Italy from UK? ›You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
How long does it take for Italy visa to be approved? ›Processing time is a minimum 14 working days from the date of receipt of documents. Please note that the visa cannot be issued on the same day. What proof will I have that Italy Visa Application Centre has my visa application?
Is Italian tourist visa Open 2022? ›Travel to Italy is now allowed with no restrictions. Starting from 1 June 2022, the Green Pass or other equivalent certification is no longer required for entry or re-entry into Italy.
What is the fastest way to get an Italian visa? ›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.
How do I book an appointment for Italy visa from UK? ›...
Step 1: Book an appointment
- Go to VFS Global's website and click on: “Schedule an appointment”:
- On the next page, click on the link:
- You will need to register as a new user:
- Then, you can log in:
If you want to apply at the Embassy of Italy (for visas and legalizations) you require an appointment which must be booked through Gerry's call centre. Please contact Gerry's call centre on 051 8439348. Partnering with governments across the world, we support visa applicants through the entire application process.
What documents are required for Italy tourist visa? ›Original Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return. Copy of Passport and previous Schengen visas issued during last 3 years. The passport must have at least two blank pages (back to back). Copy of the civil ID Copy of resident permit valid for minimum 3 Months after return date.
Can I travel to Europe with UK residence permit? ›You do not need a visa if you have a residence document (national residence permit) issued under national rules by a Schengen country and you are travelling to a Schengen country.
Is it easy to get Italy tourist visa? ›
You must apply for your visa no more than six months, and no fewer than 15 days, before your trip. You will need to fill out your application, pay a fee, obtain all the documents you need for your Italy Visa, and attend an interview at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center.
How much money is required for Italy visa? ›Visa Fee Type | In Euros | In Indian Rupees |
---|---|---|
Visa Fee ( Categories A, B or C) | € 80 | INR 6440 |
Visa Fee for applicants aged between 6 – 12 (Categories A, B or C) | € 40 | INR 3220 |
Visa fee for applicants aged under 6 | € 0 | INR 0 |
To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK you must book an appointment with the relevant Consulate or Embassy in London. This can be done in two ways: By going to the Consulate/Embassy office in person. By applying via accredited agencies like VFS or BLS.
How much does it cost to get an Italian visa? ›The visa fees for Italy are relatively inexpensive—116 EUR (140 USD) for most visas. Some fees for residence permits can go up to 200 EUR (240 USD).
Can I get Schengen visa in 3 days? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
Is Italy issuing tourist visas now? ›You can apply for an Italy Tourist Visa: At the latest: Two weeks before your planned trip. At the earliest: Six months before your planned trip.
How do I get a Schengen visa urgently? ›Still, if you need to travel to the Schengen area urgently, you can contact the embassy of the country you wish to visit and they will inform you if they make exceptions (since some of the countries do in extraordinary situations). You must provide a justification for your application as a non-resident.
How long can I stay in Italy without a visa UK? ›If you stay in Italy with an Italian residence permit or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area. If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Italy, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period.
Can I go to VFS without appointment? ›Walk In Without Appointment*
If you need to submit your visa application on an urgent basis, walk into our Visa Application Centre and opt for this service. VFS Global will process your visa application without a pre-booked appointment.
Lithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Where can I get a visa for Italy? ›
Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date.
How long can I stay in Italy without a visa? ›U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All non-residents are required to complete a declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza).
Where can I get an Italian Schengen visa? ›Applications for Schengen visas to Italy should be submitted at either an Italian Consulate/Embassy or a visa application center that has a relationship with Italy. You should ideally lodge your application for an Italian Schengen visa in the country where you legally reside/are a citizen.
How do I book a Schengen visa appointment online? ›All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below: Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment. Submit the appointment details, visa you are applying for, embassy or consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment in and make the payment. Receive appointment confirmation in email.
How long does Schengen visa take? ›The Schengen visa processing time around the world is approximately two weeks. Still, depending on your case, your application may take longer to be processed. In specific cases, the embassies take 30 days to process a visa, whereas in extraordinary cases you will have to wait for 60 calendar days.
How do I book an appointment with Tlscontact Italy? ›- Complete your application form. Prepare your supporting documents. Make an appointment.
- Submit your application and provide your biometric data at the visa application centre.
- Return to the centre. to collect your passport or get our Express Courier Return service.
Once you have completed and paid for your visa application on GOV.UK, you will be directed back to the VFS Global website to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre, so your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) can be captured.
How do I book an appointment for visa? ›- Step 1: Complete the DS-160 form online! ( ...
- Step 2 - Find the embassy nearest to you! ...
- Step 3 - Pay the non-refundable application fee. ...
- Step 4 - Schedule your visa appointment! ...
- Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Interview. ...
- Step 6 - Pick up your passport with visa.
A friend who lives abroad can send you an invitation or even sponsor you.
Is Italy giving free visa? ›The Henley Passport Index ranks Italy in 4th place among other countries in terms of the accessibility of visa-free countries. Italian passport enables traveling to 153 visa-free countries.
Which countries do not need a visa for Italy? ›
All Schengen, EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are free to travel to Italy without a visa if their travel does not exceed 90 days.
Can I travel to Italy with UK residence permit? ›You will also require a valid U.K. residency permit or another form of identity card, one passport-style photo, travel and medical insurance which is valid in the whole Schengen Area and covers you up to costs of €30,000, a cover letter stating the purpose of the visit and your itinerary, including travel tickets and ...
Are Schengen visas being issued 2022? ›The Schengen Visa allows the holder to travel freely within 26 European countries, 22 of them within the European Union (EU). The standard short-stay Schengen Visa allows holders to stay within the Schengen Area for up to three months during each visit.
How many countries you can travel with UK visa? ›There are about 38 countries and territories you can visit with a UK visa. UK does not issue long-term visas like the US or Canada. UK tourist visas are mostly short-term (C-Type) visas valid for 6 months.
Why tourist visa gets rejected? ›Visa rejection may happen when you fail to prove your eligibility to visit a particular country. It mostly takes place as the applicants fails to provide important information, or sometimes because of certain document missing.
What is the visa process for Italy? ›Passport size photos. A copy of your completed and signed visa application form. Proof of hotel bookings, flight bookings and a detailed plan of your activities during the duration of your stay in Italy.
What is 9 month Italy visa? ›Self-employment visa: for those who want to start a business or move their business to Italy. The visa is valid for up to 2 years. Long-term seasonal work: for workers in the agricultural and tourism sectors. It's valid for up to 9 months.
Can I enter Schengen with UK visa? ›Yes, if you possess a UK visitor permit, you can apply for the Schengen. In fact, you will have a higher chance of approval for your Schengen if you already possess the British permit. However, you cannot apply for the Schengen while you are in the UK. You must be in your home country while making the application.
How do I get a 5 year Schengen visa? ›5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Why are there no appointments for Schengen visa? ›This situation has occurred because embassies are unable to meet the high demand for Schengen visas. This happened because the number of Schengen visas is fixed.
How can I apply for Italy visa from Dubai? ›
- Apply for a visa. Find information and begin your application. Start now.
- Book an appointment. Schedule your appointment with us. ...
- Information about your local centre. Find now.
- Visa at your doorstep. Submit your visa application from your preferred location.
In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications. The nation also receives fewer applications than countries such as Germany or France, as they are extremely popular with tourists and business travellers.
How much bank balance is required for Italy tourist visa? ›Those who want to stay in Italy for no more than 5 days, around 270 euros will suffice. For those planning to stay at least 10 days, the minimum amount of money to be secured per day is 45 euros, while for periods exceeding 11 days but no more than 20 days, foreign nationals must dispose of at least 52 euros per day.
Is it easy to get visa for Italy? ›On the application, the applicant must fill out a form with personal and passport information to bring to the interview, as well as indicate the purpose of trip and the expected duration of stay. Before the travel document may be issued, the visitor must pay the Schengen visa processing cost after submitting the form.
How do I book an appointment for Italy visa? ›If you want to apply at the Embassy of Italy (for visas and legalizations) you require an appointment which must be booked through Gerry's call centre. Please contact Gerry's call centre on 051 8439348. Partnering with governments across the world, we support visa applicants through the entire application process.
Can I apply for Schengen visa from another country? ›You must lodge the application for a Schengen visa at the Consulate of the country that you intend to visit, or – if you intend to visit more than one Schengen State, the Consulate of the country of your primary destination (i.e. main purpose of stay or longest stay).
How do I apply for a visa to Italy? ›- Italian visa application form. ...
- One passport-size picture. ...
- Valid passport. ...
- Your residence permit card along with a copy (if you are not a citizen of the country from which you are applying).
- Proof of accommodation: ...
- Proof of travel (as applicable):
Now for applying Schengen visa for France I approached an agent who told me that a minimum amount of 2.5L to 3L is required as balance for processing of visa.
Which is the easiest country to get Schengen visa 2022? ›Lithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Does Italian Embassy verify bank statements? ›Proof of financial means include bank statements and payslips. Please be informed that the Embassy does not accept or consider bank statements from unlicensed microfinance institutions or unlicensed banks.
What documents are required for Italy tourist visa? ›
Original Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return. Copy of Passport and previous Schengen visas issued during last 3 years. The passport must have at least two blank pages (back to back). Copy of the civil ID Copy of resident permit valid for minimum 3 Months after return date.
What are the documents required for Italy visa? ›- Italian visa application form.
- Valid passport/travel document.
- Pictures.
- Civil status documents.
- Copies of previous visas.
- Travel insurance.
- Proof of travel.
- Proof of accommodation.
You can apply for an Italy Tourist Visa: At the latest: Two weeks before your planned trip. At the earliest: Six months before your planned trip.
Is Italy giving free visa? ›The Henley Passport Index ranks Italy in 4th place among other countries in terms of the accessibility of visa-free countries. Italian passport enables traveling to 153 visa-free countries.
How long can I visit Italy without a visa? ›U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All non-residents are required to complete a declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza).