1) Do I need a visa to enter Italy?

Before travelling to Italy, you might need a visa. The type of visa and documentation needed vary depending on your citizenship, country of long-stay residence, duration and reasons for your stay in Italy.For further information, please visit the following website: http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp

2) Where can I apply for a visa?

The Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi covers residents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, while the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai covers residents in the other 6 Emirates.

3) What are the requirements for visa application?

For a tourist visa you have to submit:

• application form duly completed and signed;
• 2 passport-size photographs;
• booking of return air ticket;
• medical travel insurance for your period of stay in Italy;
• hotel reservation;
• bank account statement of the last 6 months;
• salary certificate issued by your employer and addressed to the Embassy for the purpose of visa application; 
• original passport;
• copy of the passport and residence visa.

In case an Italian (or a foreigner legally resident in Italy) wants to give hospitality to a friend or a relative, he/she has to submit, instead of the hotel reservation, the hospitality letter duly completed and signed, enclosing a copy of his/her identity document or residence permit.

For a business visa you have to submit:

• application form duly completed and signed;
• 2 passport-size photographs;
• booking of return air ticket;
• medical travel insurance for your period of stay in Italy;
• hotel reservation; 
• invitation letter from an Italian company, written in Italian;
• sponsor’s letter;
• certificate of the local Chamber of Commerce.

The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documentation at the time of the interview, assessing every case, depending on the circumstances.

Submitting all the required documents, however, does not guarantee issuance of the visa.

4) When and where can I apply for a visa and collect my passport once the visa has been granted?

The Embassy is located in Abu Dhabi at Al Nahyan Street (No 26) near the crossing with Delma Street (No 13).      





 The Visa Office is open from Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 noon for applications and from 1 pm to 3 pm for passport collection.

5) Can I send documentation via fax or mail or can I send someone else on my behalf to apply for a visa?

No, applications must be submitted to the Visa Office personally, in order to have the interview.

6) Can I pay for the administrative expenses by credit card or cheque?
 
No, only payments in cash are accepted.

7) How long does it take to get a visa?

Necessary time for visa processing may vary up to a maximum of 20 working days (except for particular cases).

8) What are the requirements for an Italian company which wishes to invite a foreign citizen for business?

The Italian company has to submit a headed-paper invitation letter, written in Italian, using the available specific form (the foreign citizen who has been invited must be in possession of the original invitation letter when he/she submits the documentation). Moreover, a copy of the invitation letter, a copy of the identity document of the manager who is signing the letter and the Certificate of Incorporation have to be sent to the Visa Office via fax or e-mail (visa.abudhabi@esteri.it).

 

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