Overview of Italy
Italy, a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean, is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Renowned for its art, cuisine, and culture, Italy boasts more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country. Visitors are drawn to its rich history, from the remnants of the Roman Empire in Rome—such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon—to the masterpieces of the Renaissance found throughout cities like Florence and Venice. Each of Italy’s 20 regions offers unique experiences, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the canals of Venice and the scenic Amalfi Coast.
Italy Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Italy includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Italy/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Italy:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for an Italy Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Italy Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It’s advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Italy Schengen Visa
The processing time for an Italy Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of your application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, it’s recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
- Notification of Changes: If there are any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your visa application, you must inform the Italian consulate or visa application center promptly. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your visa.
- Visa Validity and Entry: Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Italy or the Schengen Area. Border authorities have the final decision on entry, and you may be required to provide additional documentation at the point of entry.
- Additional Documentation: Be prepared to present documents that verify your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in Italy.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to consult the official Italian consulate or embassy in your country before planning your trip.
