Welcome Tourist - WAI Association Italy

Italy is among the top 5 most visited countries in the world in terms of tourism. Not everyone knows, that in order to enter Italy legally, 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 visa to Italy. This guide will take you through the basic steps for a regular visa application and provide useful information for arrival and stay in Italy.

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INTRODUCTION:

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 the 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, below 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, Côte d’Ivoire, 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.

In addition, nationals of Andorra, Vatican City, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and San Marino are considered to be assimilated to the above list.

EU citizens who intend to stay in Italy for up to 90 days have no obligations or restrictions in the Schengen area. Things change the moment a community member intends to stay for more than 90 days. In this case, the community member is obliged to apply for civil registration in the municipality of new residence.
The guide is aimed at EU citizens simply because unlike them, non-EU citizens residing in Italy for more than 90 days require a residence permit. By virtue of this residence permit, they are not required to have civil registration.

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To apply for a visa it is good to follow these steps

Step 1: Gathering Preliminary Information

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.

Step 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 color photographs meeting requirements.
Letter of invitation (in the case of tourism – friends/relatives).
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.

Step 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 request can be made electronically, finding the information and modalities on the website of the Italian representations, or in person, by 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:

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 with tolerance.
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.

Step 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 public transport
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 Italian words and try to immerse yourself in the local culture. Your experience in Italy will be enriched if you are able to communicate with the locals and understand their culture.

Step 5: Rights and Duties of the Non-EU Tourist

The holder of a tourist visa upon arrival does not have to sign any integration agreement, given the short nature of his/her stay, at the same time, it is good to reiterate that he/she has rights and obligations.

DIRITTI	DOVERI
Diritto di soggiorno temporaneo: Il titolare del visto ha il diritto di soggiornare in Italia per il periodo specificato nel visto, generalmente fino a 90 giorni per finalità turistiche.	Rispetto delle leggi e dei regolamenti italiani: Il titolare del visto è tenuto a rispettare le leggi e i regolamenti italiani durante il soggiorno nel paese.
Diritto di movimento: Il titolare del visto ha il diritto di spostarsi liberamente all'interno dello Spazio Schengen, che include la maggior parte dei paesi europei, senza bisogno di ulteriori visti.	Rispetto delle condizioni di uscita: Il titolare del visto è tenuto a lasciare l'Italia prima della scadenza del periodo di soggiorno consentito dal visto, a meno che non richieda e ottenga un'estensione del visto.
Diritti garantiti dalla legge italiana: Il titolare del visto ha diritto a ricevere le stesse protezioni e i medesimi diritti garantiti dalla legge italiana agli stranieri in visita temporanea nel paese.	Rispetto delle condizioni del visto: Il titolare del visto deve rispettare le condizioni specificate nel visto, incluse le date di validità e la durata massima del soggiorno consentita.
	Dichiarazione di presenza: Il titolare del visto deve dichiarare la propria presenza alle autorità competenti (solitamente la Questura) entro 8 giorni lavorativi dall'arrivo in Italia. Questo può essere fatto presso gli uffici postali o attraverso altri canali indicati dalle autorità.

Following the simple steps outlined in this brief guide will make applying for and obtaining a tourist visa easy.

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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