Requirements for a Schengen Visa for Italy from the UK
Requirements for a Schengen Visa for Italy from the UK
Dec 12, 2023
Dec 12, 2023
This guide provides a structured approach to help UK residents understand the documentation required for an Italian visa application. It is divided into two main sections: important requirements and a detailed checklist.
Detailed Checklist for Italian Visa Application from the UK
Important link for checklist: Tourist Checklist 2023
1. Visa Application
Complete the visa application form in English.
Sign the form (for minors, a parent or legal guardian should sign).
Print the form and bring it to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
2. Passport Pictures
Provide two recent photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm high.
Ensure proper contrast, direct gaze, straight head position, closed mouth, and a white background.
Photo alterations, like Photoshop, are not allowed.
3. Valid Passport
Must have at least two free pages.
Validity should be at least 90 days after the requested visa expires.
Must be duly signed.
4. Residence Permit
Provide the original and a copy.
Must be valid for at least 1 month after returning from the Schengen states.
5. Passport and Visa Copies
Two copies of the first page of the applicant’s passport.
Copies of previous visas from the last 3 years (if applicable).
If visas are in an old passport, include the first page and relevant visas from that passport.
6. Employment Evidence
For employees: Original letter on company headed paper, plus the latest 3 months' pay slips. Approved letter should report: full name of applicant, job position of applicant, salary, indication of the number of vacation days, company stamp, signature of manager, full address of company, telephone number of company. Letter’s date of issue must be within 30 days before date of submission.
For self-employed: Business Certificate of Incorporation, last 3 months' Business Bank Statement, and the latest tax return or Accountant letter dated within 30 days before date of submission. Accountant letter must include accountant’s full name, contact details, position of signatory and registration number in the UK. The letter must also state the annual salary drawn from the company.
For sole traders: Letter from HMRC with UTR code and latest tax return (if available).
For unemployed applicants: Official proof of government benefits.
7. Students (Including Minors)
Original school letter dated within 30 days before submission. It should include full name of the applicant, full name and address of school, telephone number of the school, signature of the Head of Department.
8. Sponsored Applicants
Sponsor letter from a close relative (parents, children, spouse).
Proof of family relationship (birth or marriage certificate).
Last three months' bank statements of the sponsor (British accounts only).
Sponsor's payslips for last 3 months.
Sponsor's letter from employer.
If submitting documents, to prove family relationship, from countries other than the UK, legalization from Italian Embassy/Consulate in the country where the documents was issued is required.
9. Itinerary Details
Exact dates, cities, and transport methods used across the Schengen Area.
Include transport tickets and visas for any Non-Schengen countries visited.
10. Round Trip Transport Tickets
Must be in English or Italian.
Issued by the transport company and fully paid.
Include the full name of the applicant as per passport.
For car travel, include driving license, car registration, and insurance.
11. Hotel Bookings
Confirmation in English or Italian.
Must cover the whole trip duration.
Include hotel name, address, and names of all applicants.
12. Medical Insurance Certificate
Issued by a company in the UK or Schengen area.
Coverage for the entire stay and the whole Schengen Area.
Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros for hospitalization or repatriation.
Must include the applicant's full name, insurance stamp, and signature.
13. Economic Situation Proof
Bank statements from the last 3 months.
Should show stable transactions and a positive balance.
Name on the statement must match the passport.
Include credit card statement showing the monthly limit (if applicable).
14. For Minors Travelling
With both parents: Original and copy of birth certificate.
With one parent: Consent letter from the other parent and birth certificate.
Alone: Consent letter from both parents.
If a parent has passed away: Death certificate and translation.
Documents from outside the UK require legalization from the Italian Embassy/Consulate.
By carefully compiling the documents as per this structured checklist, applicants can ensure a thorough and complete submission for their Italian visa application.
Important requirements for Italian visa:
Flight tickets must be paid and issued only by the airline (i.e., Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Wizzair, etc.) – Tickets issued by travel agencies and third parties such as Trip.com, Kiwi.com, Skyscanner, IATA, Budgetair, etc. are not accepted;
Employment letters, student letters, accountant letters must be recent (dated not older than a month), signed and official on headed paper – Employment contracts are not accepted;
Travel insurance certificates must cover all Schengen countries or Europe or worldwide – Insurances excluding at least 1 Schengen country or covering only Italy are not accepted;
Minors’ birth certificates issued outside the UK must be legalised by the Italian consulate in the foreign country;
Only personal UK bank accounts are accepted – Foreign bank accounts are not accepted;
EU family members must provide their marriage certificate registered and issued by the relevant EU authorities (i.e., married to a Spanish citizen -> marriage certificate issued by Spanish townhall, married to an Italian -> issued by the Comune, etc.);
Hotel reservations must always show the full name of the guests, the full address of the facility, the check-in and check-out dates and GBP/EUR price, paid or unpaid;
Nationals of Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Palestine and XXA/XXB travel document holders must provide full names of father and mother through a birth certificate, consular declaration or family registration document.
Important notes:
Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine need to provide full names of mother and father and it must result from a birth certificate or Consular declaration.
It is recommended to provide a cover letter.
In case the applicant wishes to apply for a multiple visa, the application format must be double signed also on the third page near the sentence “I am aware of the need to have an adequate travel medical insurance for my first stay”. An explanation letter for the reason of such request must also be provided together with proof of future trips to Italy.
After applying for the Visa, the applicants will not be able to collect their passports from the Embassy. The processing time for a Visa application is maximum 15 calendar days according to Visa Schengen Code. For same cases this period might extend up to 45 days.
The Consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, in addition to what is submitted. Furthermore, the applicant is hereby informed that submitting all required documentation does NOT guarantee the issuance of any particular visa.
This guide provides a structured approach to help UK residents understand the documentation required for an Italian visa application. It is divided into two main sections: important requirements and a detailed checklist.
Detailed Checklist for Italian Visa Application from the UK
Important link for checklist: Tourist Checklist 2023
1. Visa Application
Complete the visa application form in English.
Sign the form (for minors, a parent or legal guardian should sign).
Print the form and bring it to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
2. Passport Pictures
Provide two recent photos, 35 mm wide and 45 mm high.
Ensure proper contrast, direct gaze, straight head position, closed mouth, and a white background.
Photo alterations, like Photoshop, are not allowed.
3. Valid Passport
Must have at least two free pages.
Validity should be at least 90 days after the requested visa expires.
Must be duly signed.
4. Residence Permit
Provide the original and a copy.
Must be valid for at least 1 month after returning from the Schengen states.
5. Passport and Visa Copies
Two copies of the first page of the applicant’s passport.
Copies of previous visas from the last 3 years (if applicable).
If visas are in an old passport, include the first page and relevant visas from that passport.
6. Employment Evidence
For employees: Original letter on company headed paper, plus the latest 3 months' pay slips. Approved letter should report: full name of applicant, job position of applicant, salary, indication of the number of vacation days, company stamp, signature of manager, full address of company, telephone number of company. Letter’s date of issue must be within 30 days before date of submission.
For self-employed: Business Certificate of Incorporation, last 3 months' Business Bank Statement, and the latest tax return or Accountant letter dated within 30 days before date of submission. Accountant letter must include accountant’s full name, contact details, position of signatory and registration number in the UK. The letter must also state the annual salary drawn from the company.
For sole traders: Letter from HMRC with UTR code and latest tax return (if available).
For unemployed applicants: Official proof of government benefits.
7. Students (Including Minors)
Original school letter dated within 30 days before submission. It should include full name of the applicant, full name and address of school, telephone number of the school, signature of the Head of Department.
8. Sponsored Applicants
Sponsor letter from a close relative (parents, children, spouse).
Proof of family relationship (birth or marriage certificate).
Last three months' bank statements of the sponsor (British accounts only).
Sponsor's payslips for last 3 months.
Sponsor's letter from employer.
If submitting documents, to prove family relationship, from countries other than the UK, legalization from Italian Embassy/Consulate in the country where the documents was issued is required.
9. Itinerary Details
Exact dates, cities, and transport methods used across the Schengen Area.
Include transport tickets and visas for any Non-Schengen countries visited.
10. Round Trip Transport Tickets
Must be in English or Italian.
Issued by the transport company and fully paid.
Include the full name of the applicant as per passport.
For car travel, include driving license, car registration, and insurance.
11. Hotel Bookings
Confirmation in English or Italian.
Must cover the whole trip duration.
Include hotel name, address, and names of all applicants.
12. Medical Insurance Certificate
Issued by a company in the UK or Schengen area.
Coverage for the entire stay and the whole Schengen Area.
Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros for hospitalization or repatriation.
Must include the applicant's full name, insurance stamp, and signature.
13. Economic Situation Proof
Bank statements from the last 3 months.
Should show stable transactions and a positive balance.
Name on the statement must match the passport.
Include credit card statement showing the monthly limit (if applicable).
14. For Minors Travelling
With both parents: Original and copy of birth certificate.
With one parent: Consent letter from the other parent and birth certificate.
Alone: Consent letter from both parents.
If a parent has passed away: Death certificate and translation.
Documents from outside the UK require legalization from the Italian Embassy/Consulate.
By carefully compiling the documents as per this structured checklist, applicants can ensure a thorough and complete submission for their Italian visa application.
Important requirements for Italian visa:
Flight tickets must be paid and issued only by the airline (i.e., Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Wizzair, etc.) – Tickets issued by travel agencies and third parties such as Trip.com, Kiwi.com, Skyscanner, IATA, Budgetair, etc. are not accepted;
Employment letters, student letters, accountant letters must be recent (dated not older than a month), signed and official on headed paper – Employment contracts are not accepted;
Travel insurance certificates must cover all Schengen countries or Europe or worldwide – Insurances excluding at least 1 Schengen country or covering only Italy are not accepted;
Minors’ birth certificates issued outside the UK must be legalised by the Italian consulate in the foreign country;
Only personal UK bank accounts are accepted – Foreign bank accounts are not accepted;
EU family members must provide their marriage certificate registered and issued by the relevant EU authorities (i.e., married to a Spanish citizen -> marriage certificate issued by Spanish townhall, married to an Italian -> issued by the Comune, etc.);
Hotel reservations must always show the full name of the guests, the full address of the facility, the check-in and check-out dates and GBP/EUR price, paid or unpaid;
Nationals of Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Palestine and XXA/XXB travel document holders must provide full names of father and mother through a birth certificate, consular declaration or family registration document.
Important notes:
Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine need to provide full names of mother and father and it must result from a birth certificate or Consular declaration.
It is recommended to provide a cover letter.
In case the applicant wishes to apply for a multiple visa, the application format must be double signed also on the third page near the sentence “I am aware of the need to have an adequate travel medical insurance for my first stay”. An explanation letter for the reason of such request must also be provided together with proof of future trips to Italy.
After applying for the Visa, the applicants will not be able to collect their passports from the Embassy. The processing time for a Visa application is maximum 15 calendar days according to Visa Schengen Code. For same cases this period might extend up to 45 days.
The Consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, in addition to what is submitted. Furthermore, the applicant is hereby informed that submitting all required documentation does NOT guarantee the issuance of any particular visa.