Traveling to Italy will be a great experience to add to your travel guide. This Schengen country possesses an unrealistic but magical charm that captivates everyone who travels there.
As an Indian passport holder and resident of Delhi, if you plan a trip to Italy regardless of the purpose (business, tourism, study, etc.), you must apply for a visa first.
Thus, let’s delve into the following blog to understand the essentials of an Italy visa from Delhi along with the detailed step-by-step procedural guide.
Do Delhians Need a Visa to Travel to Italy?
Yes, residents of Delhi and India require a visa to travel to Italy. Moreover, it is also a member of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area.
This means that you can visit the country from India after applying for a Schengen Italy visa used for short-term purposes.
Why Is Italy Popular Among Indians?
- The Italian Republic is a country that lies in Southern and Western Europe.
- The reason for its popularity is that Italy consists of a peninsula spanning into the Mediterranean Sea with the Alps on the northern land border.
- Moreover, it also owns more than 800 islands, Sicily and Sardinia being the most famous among all.
- Cultural exchanges, contemporary interactions, and historical ties are what make Indians appreciated in Italy.
- With a population of nearly 60 million, Italy is the third-most populous member state of the EU (European Union).
- Furthermore, Rome is its capital along with Milan, Turin, Naples, Bologna, Genoa, Palermo, Venice, and Florence.
Italian Embassy in New Delhi, India
The Embassy of Italy in New Delhi covers several states and union territories of India, however, they are less in number in comparison with the rest of the embassies of the Schengen countries.
Nonetheless, the following section will help you identify the basic details of the embassy, other countries, and states/union territories covered by it.
Basic information
In case you are looking for the address and phone number of the Italian Embassy, here is a summary.
Location: 50 E Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110 021
Telephone number: +91 – 11 – 26114355
E-mail: ambasciata.newdelhi@esteri.it
Other countries
Other than India and the states and union territories of the respective country, the Italian Embassy also handles visa applications from the citizens of Nepal. Nepalis can also visit the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata for this purpose.
States and union territories of India
- Residents of the states and union territories including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh can submit their Italy visa applications to the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi.
- On the other hand, visa applications from the residents of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, and Lakshadweep will be processed by the Consulate of Italy in Mumbai.
- Furthermore, the Consulate of Italy in Bangalore is responsible for applications coming from the residents of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry.
- Lastly, the majority of the states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Tripura, Sikkim and West Bengal, the Union Territory of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are decided by the Consulate of Italy in Kolkata.
Italy Visa from Delhi Application Process at the Embassy in India
Make sure that you follow the simplified version of the updated step-by-step guide given below to apply for an Italy visa from Delhi using the embassy.
Step 1: Visit the website
To officially start your Italian visa application process, you need to visit the website of the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi, India. On the home page, select the ‘Consular Services and Visas’ tabs.
After that, choose your options from the menu given on the right-hand side of the page. As an Indian, you are a citizen of a third country, so choose ‘services for the foreign citizen.
Then, move to the ‘visas’ section to learn the basic information about your trip to Italy and how, where, and when you can apply for an Italian visa from Delhi.
Step 2: Select the suitable visa type
After that, you need to choose a suitable visa type keeping in mind the purpose of your trip. For instance, Delhians can visit Italy for either short-term or long-term purposes. Moreover, you also need to consider the reason for planning a trip to the target Schengen country.
For this purpose, you can either apply for a Schengen visa (used for short stays valid for 90/180 days) or a National visa (used for long stays valid depending on the purpose of your trip).
Short stays include tourism, business, and medical treatment, whereas long stays allow you to travel to Italy for work, family reunification, or study purposes.
Step 3: Gather the documents
Once a particular visa type is selected, gather the following supporting documents to submit them at the embassy.
Passport
- Having a validity period of three months beyond your stay in Italy
- Not older than the last ten years
- Contains two blank pages to attach visa stamps
Application form
- Complete the visa application form obtained from the given link
- Should be filled in English or Italian language
- Must contain your signatures at the end
Pictures
- Two passport-size recent pictures
- White color background, HD quality
- 70-80% of the face and shoulders should be covered
Round-trip flight itinerary
- Learn how to get a flight itinerary for your trip to Italy from the given link
- Shows that you have concrete plans to travel to the target country
- Represents information such as your flight number, routes, dates, times, etc.
Lodging arrangements
- Proof of accommodation such as hotel booking, rental contract, sponsorship letter
- Must show the name of the place, its address, and its contact details
- Click on the banner above to learn how you can reserve a hotel
Cover letter
- Explains the purpose of visiting the host nation, the duration of your stay, the intended activities
- Adds strength to your Italian visa application
- Get this document from coverletterforvisa.com
Travel health insurance
- Helps you protect yourself financially in a foreign country
- Have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros or 50,000 USD
- Manage expenses related to accident, surgery, repatriation, evacuation
Financial resources
- Helps prove that you can manage your expenses including food, transportation, and accommodation
- Must have at least 40-60 euros per day
- Submit financial documents such as your bank statement, salary slip, or an income tax return
Step 4: Book an appointment
After gathering all the supporting documents based on the chosen visa type, you need to schedule an appointment. For this purpose, head to the official website of VFS Global and create or log in to an existing account.
Booking an appointment slot is mandatory as you need to provide your biometric data such as 10 fingerprints and photos that will be stored in the VIS (Visa Information System) for almost 59 months.
Step 5: Submit your application
On the given date, make sure to reach the center at least 15 minutes before the actual time. The staffers of the embassy require you to submit your application along with the documents requested. This step has several stages that you need to complete to finish the process.
Step 6: Pay the visa fee
Furthermore, make sure that you pay the visa fee and the amount will be decided on the type of permit you want.
For example, if you apply for a Schengen visa, pay 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children between the ages of six and twelve. In the case of a National D visa, you need to pay 116 euros, and a study visa for 50 euros.
Available payment methods
Since 2014, the Embassy of Italy will only accept the application fee when made through a Demand Draft. Other payment methods are not available. On the other hand, the visa application center will accept payments in cash, Demand draft, or NEFT and some additional charges for using their services.
Step 7: Appear for the interview
This step requires you to appear for the interview. It depends on the embassy whether they ask for it before or after the visa payment step. Also, make sure to provide appropriate answers to questions such as ‘What is your employment status? Is anyone traveling with you? How long will you stay in Italy’? etc.
Step 8: Wait for the processing time
This is the last practical step of the visa process. You have to wait for the answer while the embassy is reviewing your application. The standard processing time is 15-30 days for Schengen visa applications and 45-60 days for National visa applications.
Step 9: Track your application
Meanwhile, the embassy is processing your documents, you can track the status of your application. For this purpose, you can use the website of VFS Global and enter the following details to check the status.
Step 10: Pick up your passport
Lastly, once your visa is approved, you can collect it from the embassy/center or ask the courier service to deliver it.
When Should Delhians Apply for an Italy Visa?
Depending on the visa type and the purpose of your trip to Iceland, make sure that you apply for a visa at least three to six months before your planned departure to the target country.
The Schengen visa rules urge the application staffers to decide a verdict on the visa application within two regular weeks. However, the period gets extended considering several internal and external factors affecting the process.
For instance, the number of applications, the visa type, the travel season, additional requirements of the specific permit, application backlog, etc, play a crucial role in this regard.
FAQs
- Can I submit my Italy visa application through a travel agency or a third-party service provider in Delhi?
Yes. You can submit your Italy visa application through a travel agency or a third-party service provider in Delhi authorized by the Italian Embassy. In this case, VFS Global is the official partner of the Embassy/Consulate General of Italy in India.
- Do I need to provide proof of language proficiency for an Italy visa from Delhi?
If you are planning to stay in Italy for a longer duration (more than 90 days), you need to submit proof of language proficiency in Italy (A2 or higher level). However, for a Schengen or short-term visa, it is not required.
- Should I start the Italy visa application process if my passport is about to expire?
If your passport stays valid for almost three months after you exit Italy, then you can start the visa application process. However, if it is about to expire soon, make sure to renew it before applying for an Italian visa from Delhi.
- What are the consequences of overstaying a visa?
According to the Schengen visa rules, you should not overstay your visa as this may lead to several short-term, long-term, and legal consequences. The most common among all is that the authorities will deport you, impose hefty fines and penalties, a permanent ban for future travel, etc.
- What can I do if my Italian visa application from Delhi is rejected?
If your Italian visa application from Delhi is denied, you have two options. The first one is to appeal the decision within 60 days after receiving the notification. In case of a rejected appeal, you can reapply for a new Italian visa but this time by modifying the mistakes made previously.
Read Also: Iceland Visa from Delhi