VISA OFFICE
GENERAL INFORMATION
- VISA OFFICE E-MAIL ADDRESS visti.ambdublino@esteri.it
- VISA COLLECTIONS TUESDAY & THURSDAY FROM 12:00 PM TO 12:30 PM
- For more information about visa types, please visit the web page of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
APPOINTMENTS
Please, follow this link to book an appointment Online booking through https://prenotami.esteri.it
Visa applications are accepted ONLY by prior appointment. Single, family and multiple slots can be booked.
Please, remember to book your appointment well in advance, not earlier of 8 weeks and no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended visit.
IMPORTANT: THIS OFFICE WILL ACCEPT ONLY APPLICATION FORMS DOWLOADED FROM OUR WEBSITE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
http://e-applicationvisa.esteri.it
THE APPOINTMENT MUST BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 10TH TO 3RD DAY BEFORE
The “Schengen Area” includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Be advised that a Schengen visa does not guarantee the entry clearance into the Schengen Area. At the time of your entry in the Schengen Area, even if holding a valid VISA, the borders’ Authorities are authorized to request that you demonstrate you meet the requirements to obtain a VISA.
Before submitting an application make sure you are entitled to do so, as the administrative visa fee is not refundable.
The visa must be requested in the country of residence; visa application has to be presented to the Visa Section of the country of main destination, which is dependent upon the purpose of the journey and the length of stay. If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the Schengen country through which you first enter is responsible for granting the visa. Passport or official travel document has to be recognized by all of the Schengen member states and issued no more than 10 years ago (older passport will not be accepted) and valid at least three months beyond the return date of your trip with at least 2 blank adjacent pages left.
PLEASE NOTE: You can apply for a visa only if your trip is within 8 weeks of the appointment.
For visa application you are requested to submit proof of your residence in Ireland. At the time of application your Irish permit must be either indefinite or have a validity of at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of your requested visa.
A Schengen visa allows the holder to move freely in all the Schengen countries, within the validity of the visa. If your passport or travel document is valid only for certain Schengen States then the validity of your visa is restricted to those States.
PLEASE NOTE:
Family members of a national of a European Economic Area country who hold a Residence Card issued by the Irish authorities, do not need a visa to enter Italy if travelling with/joining the EEA family member in Italy (EU Directive 2004/38/CE, as implemented by Italian law no. 30 of 6/02/2007). The Irish Residence Card must bear the following specific wording: STAMP4 EUFAM
You will need a visa if any other different wording from the above appears on your Irish Residence Documentation/Permit.
The holder of the “RESIDENCE CARD OF A FAMILY MEMBER OF AN EEA NATIONAL” travelling ALONE (i.e. without the Italian or EEA national) must submit all the required documents as an ordinary applicant and will be subject to the appropriate visa fee.
It should be noted that Border Police always have the right to request further documentation in support of your entry into the Schengen Area.
Bringing a copy of marriage/birth certificate or proof of relationship is advisable.
For more information about visa types, please visit the web page of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
VISA REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESSING TIMES
Visa applications in most cases can be processed within a week of the date of the appointment.
Please note that those waiting times are given as general guidelines and that actual waiting times may vary.
General requirements for various types of visa are listed hereunder.
Applicants should ensure that they bring all the necessary documents at the time of their appointment plus a copy of everything (included a copy of the re-entry VISA and GNIB card). Before assembling the required documentation please ensure that your Irish visa is valid for at least three months beyond the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen area.
Please note that spouses/family members of EU and EEA nationals should follow the instructions in Section 3.
Section 1 – TOURIST VISAS
Section 2 – BUSINESS VISAS
Section 3 – SPOUSE AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU AND EEA NATIONALS
Section 4 – VISA APPLICATIONS FOR MINORS
Section 1 – TOURIST VISAS
For tourist visas the requirements are as follows:
1. Your passport and completed application form.
2. Photocopy of passport (main details page and Irish visa page).
3. GNIB card or Green book (must be valid for at least 90 days after your return from Italy) plus photocopy of it.
4. One passport photograph ICAO format.
5. Letter from your employer/university/college confirming your occupation/student status – duration of contract/course and the fact that you will be returning to your employment/studies after your holiday.
6. If you do not have an income letter of financial support, if you are a student, letter of scholarship.
7. Recent bank statements (last 3 months and up-to-date to the day of the interview): these must show your name, address if possible, as well as account details and balance. You can bring last posted bank statement and a print out of most recent month.
8. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted).
9. Hotel bookings - PLEASE NOTE: Hotel reservation must hold name of applicant and dates relative to visa request.
10. Travel insurance that covers you at least for €30.000 (please find necessary details or table of cover which you may find in either your contract and terms&conditions booklet). Bring originals and photocopies if necessary.
11. All the documentation has to be submitted in original.
12. €80 visa fee TO BE PAID BY DEBIT CARD .
Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office. The visa fee is non-refundable even in the event that your application is rejected.
VISITING FAMILY/FRIENDS If the main reason for the travel is a visit to family or friends in Italy a letter of invitation, copy of their passport/ID and copy of residence permit, if applicable, must be submitted.
Section 2- BUSINESS VISAS
For business visas the requirements are as follows:
1. Your passport and completed application form.
2. Photocopy of passport (main details page and Irish visa page).
3. GNIB card or Green book (must be valid for at least 90 days after your return from Italy) plus photocopy of it.
4. One passport photograph ICAO FORMAT.
5. A letter from your employer confirming your employment status, duration of contract and the need for you to visit Italy on business. Please ask them to give details of specific meetings which have been set up, the company (or companies) that you will be visiting, etc. Your employer should also specify that all your travelling costs and insurance cover will be provided by the company, attaching – where possible – a copy of the company travel insurance certificate for employees.
6. Recent bank statements (last 3 months and up-to-date to the day of the interview): these must show your name, address if possible, as well as account details and balance. You can bring last posted bank statement and a print out of most recent month.
7. Invitation Letter from the Italian company with which your company does business or intends to set up a business relationship. Please note the Italian Company must also send the Invitation Form directly to our Visa Office email: visti.ambdublino@esteri.it.
8. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted).
9. Hotel bookings in your name.
10. Travel insurance that covers you at least for €30.000 (please find necessary details or table of cover which you may find in either your contract and terms & conditions booklet). Bring originals and photocopies if necessary.
11. All the documentation has to be submitted in original.
12. €80 visa fee TO BE PAID BY DEBIT CARD.
Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office. The visa fee is non-refundable even in the event that your application is rejected.
Section 3 – SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU AND EEA NATIONALS
For family members of a national of an EEA country who hold a Residence Card not bearing a STAMP G4 EUFAM, who travel with/join the EEA family member in Italy the requirements are as follows:
1. Your passport and completed application form.
2. Photocopy of passport (main details page and Irish visa page).
3. GNIB card or Green book (must be valid for at least 90 days after your return from Italy) plus photocopy of it.
4. One passport photograph ICAO FORMAT.
5. Your EU spouse/family member’s original passport plus a photocopy of it.
6. The original marriage/birth certificate with a certified translation into English if applicable plus a photocopy of it.
7. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted).
8. The visa is issued free of charge.
Please note: if the applicant (husband/wife/children/dependants of Italian and EEA nationals) is travelling ALONE (i.e. without the Italian or EEA national) he/she must submit all the required documents as an ordinary applicant and he/she is subject to the visa fee.
Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office.
Section 4 – VISA APPLICATIONS FOR MINORS
Parents may apply directly on behalf of their children under 18 years (minor), but the minor has to be present in person the day of the booked appointment in Consulate.
If the child, under the age of 18, is travelling to Italy without his parents or with one parent, a parental authorization to travel is requested. This letter should be completed and signed by both parents or legal guardian, clearly allowing the child to travel to Italy and appointing the person who will be responsible for him. This letter should be duly authenticated by a solicitor, by a Consular Officer of the applicants’ nationality or by an Italian Consular Officer. Both parents’ passports should be enclosed with the application or a certified photocopy if the parents are residing abroad.
The requirements are as follows:
1. Passport and completed application form;
2. Photocopy of passport (main details page and Irish visa page)
3. One passport photograph ICAO FORMAT
4. Valid Irish residence permit plus a photocopy of it.
5. Full birth certificate in original plus a photocopy of it.
6. Recent (not older than one month) original attendance letter duly signed by the Headmaster from the School addressed to the Italian Embassy in Dublin
7. Outward and return flight bookings (internet bookings are accepted).
8. Hotel bookings. If staying with friends or family in Italy they must supply a letter of invitation, copy of their passport/ID and copy of residence permit, if applicable.
9. Travel insurance that covers you at least for €30.000 (please find necessary details or table of cover which you may find in either your contract and terms & conditions booklet). Bring originals and photocopies if necessary.
10. Recent bank statements of the parents (last 3 months and up-to-date to the day of the interview): these must show their name, address if possible, as well as account details and balance. You can bring last posted bank statement and a print out of most recent month.
11. €40 visa fee in cash for minors under 12 and €80 visa fee in to be paid by DEBIT CARD for minors older than 12.
Please note that, on assessment of your application, other documents may be requested at the discretion of the visa office. The visa fee is non-refundable even in the event that your application is rejected.
IMPORTANT: from 20/11/2015 in order to implement the Visa Information System (VIS) – a key element for exchanging visa data between Schengen States – Visa applicants will be asked to take their ten fingerprints. However, for subsequent applications within 5 years, fingerprints can be re-used from the VIS file unless there is reasonable doubt regarding the identity of the applicant.
When the visa holder arrives at the external border, the border authorities have access to the VIS to verify his or her identity and the authenticity of the visa.
Certain categories of applicants are exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints, including:
• children under the age of 12.
• persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible.