Italy tourist visa
Rome's ruins, Florence's galleries, the Amalfi coast at dusk — whatever draws you to Italy, the document that gets you there is a uniform Schengen short-stay visa, Type C, issued for tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends and family. It opens all 29 Schengen countries to you for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. As an Indian applicant, you go through an Italian mission when Italy is your sole destination, your main destination by length or purpose of stay, or the first Schengen country you enter.
The file is lodged through VFS Global, Italy's outsourced visa partner in India, and routed by your state of residence to the Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulates General in Mumbai, Bengaluru or Kolkata. VFS only collects your papers and forwards them; the mission alone sets the timeline and decides the outcome. And one Schengen requirement leaves no room to negotiate: travel-medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends and relatives on a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- ✓Italy must be the sole destination, the main destination by length or purpose of stay, or the first Schengen country you enter; otherwise you apply through the relevant Schengen state's mission.
- ✓You apply through the Italian mission covering your state of residence: the Embassy in New Delhi, or the Consulates General in Mumbai, Bengaluru or Kolkata.
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond the intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages and no handwritten entries.
- ✓Proof of sufficient funds, confirmed round-trip travel and accommodation, and Schengen travel-medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 including repatriation.
Visa options for Italy
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) - tourism
For tourism, sightseeing or visiting friends and family across all Schengen states; issued single, double or multiple entry, with stays capped at 90 days in any 180-day period.
Multiple-entry Schengen visa (MEV)
Granted to applicants with a sound travel history; valid for a longer period (commonly 1, 3 or 5 years), with each stay still limited to 90 days in any 180 days.
Long-stay national visa (Type D)
For stays over 90 days such as study or family reunification. This is outside the tourist category and is handled as a separate application.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond the intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages and not handwritten; plus photocopies of the front and last pages and of any Schengen visas issued in the last 10 years.
- ✓Completed and signed Schengen visa application form with two recent passport-size photographs.
- ✓Cover letter stating the travellers, dates, itinerary, purpose of visit, who is bearing the costs, and the applicant's occupation.
- ✓Leave sanction letter on the employer's letterhead stating the sanctioned dates and the authorised signatory (for salaried applicants).
- ✓Confirmed accommodation (hotel/B&B) booking covering the travel dates; if visiting other Schengen countries, bookings for those too; or an invitation letter (Lettera d'invito) from an Italian resident with a copy of their ID.
- ✓Flight tickets or airline reservation.
- ✓Personal bank statement for the last 3 months in original, with the bank's stamp and seal.
- ✓Income Tax Return acknowledgement for the last 3 years or Form 16.
- ✓Employment proof: last 3 months' salary slips plus appointment letter or contract; for proprietors, the company bank statement (3 months) and registration certificate; for retirees, 3 months' pension statement or proof of annual income.
- ✓Overseas travel-medical insurance covering the whole trip with minimum EUR 30,000 cover including repatriation.
- ✓Sponsor's cover letter and financial proof where a third party is bearing the costs.
- ✓For minors: notarised parental-consent affidavit when travelling with one parent or a third party, with both parents' names appearing on the minor's passport.
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Apply through the Italian mission covering your state of residence: the Embassy in New Delhi (Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh); the Consulate General in Mumbai (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli); the Consulate General in Bengaluru (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry); or the Consulate General in Kolkata (eastern and north-eastern states). VFS Global runs the visa application centres in these regions; submit at least 15 days before travel, and note that bank statements must be originals bearing the bank's stamp and seal.
Frequently asked questions
Which Italian mission should I apply to from India?
Your state of residence decides it. The Embassy in New Delhi covers Delhi, Chandigarh and much of north India; the Mumbai Consulate covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and the central and western states; Bengaluru covers Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry; and Kolkata covers the eastern and north-eastern states. Italy gets the application when it is your only or main destination, or your first Schengen point of entry. We pin down the correct jurisdiction and VFS centre for you.
How long does the Italy Schengen visa take?
Most decisions land within about 15 calendar days of submission, though it can stretch to 45 days when additional checks are needed. Submit at least 15 days before you travel. The timeline and the outcome are always the consulate's to decide.
Is travel insurance mandatory for an Italy Schengen visa?
Yes. Schengen rules require travel-medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover including repatriation, valid for the whole trip across all Schengen states. It is a core requirement, not optional.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No one can. The decision rests solely with the Italian consulate and immigration authorities. What we do is give you a frank, honest read on your profile and make your application as complete and strong as it can be. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have seen a 97% success rate.