Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — TourismVerified 2026-04-20Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
The Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) allows Indian passport holders to visit Italy (and the wider Schengen area) for tourism or other non-business purposes up to 90 days within any 180-day period. First-time applicants apply under 'Tourism — first issuance'; those with a previous Schengen visa apply under 'Tourism — Holding previous Schengen visa'. If you have an EU/non-EU National invitation, use the Visit Visa category instead.
Heads up — Italy Visa Checklists Vary by Jurisdiction
The info below is per the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi (North Jurisdiction).
Italy splits visa decisions across 4 Indian consulates — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru — each with slightly different document checklists, fees rounding, and processing nuances. The requirements listed on this page match the New Delhi (North) jurisdiction.
New Delhi (North) jurisdiction covers
SureshotVisa helps Indian applicants across all states (and Indian citizens abroad) — not just New Delhi. If you reside in a Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru jurisdiction state (or outside India), reach out and we'll confirm the exact checklist and steps that apply to your consulate.
Processing
15 working days from submission at VFS (extendable up to 45 days)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen-wide)
Starting Fee
€90
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Italy visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1North jurisdiction — Applications from residents of New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh are decided by the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi. Place of passport issue does NOT determine jurisdiction — residence does. Applications from other jurisdictions go to Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru consulates with slightly different checklists.
- 2Applicant MUST mention their OWN working phone number on the application form and at the counter — not the agent's or representative's number. The Embassy reserves the right to verify, and non-compliant applications may be judged incomplete.
- 3Visa applications must be submitted in the country where the applicant has continuously lived for the last 6 months — proof of residence required. The Embassy cannot process applications from visitors to India (even Indian nationals abroad).
- 4Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages. For Short-term visas, 6 months validity from travel date is required.
- 5Travel medical insurance is mandatory for ALL Schengen visa applicants — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid throughout Schengen territory, covering the entire stay (or repatriation for multi-entry). Only approved Indian Travel Insurance companies are accepted (see VFS Italy site for the current list); alternatively, policies from countries where claims are recoverable in Schengen States.
- 6Polio vaccination certificate required IF applicant is from / stayed >4 weeks in: Afghanistan, Kenya, DRC, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic (vaccination must be 4 weeks to 12 months before travel).
- 7Photo specs: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, light/white background, color, ≤6 months old, 80% face zoom, non-smiling, no sunglasses/hat (unless religious). Stick (don't staple) on the application form.
- 8The Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional documents or a personal interview even if not mentioned on the official checklist.
- 9Visa fee, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused or withdrawn while under processing.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing, or leisure
- Residents of New Delhi, Haryana, HP, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh (North jurisdiction)
- Multi-Schengen travellers where Italy is the main destination (most nights booked in Italy)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Those holding an invitation from an EU/non-EU national — apply under Visiting Family & Friends or Family EU Reunion C
- Business / work meetings — apply for Business Visa instead
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for the relevant National (D) visa
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult — Schengen Visa Fee (Categories A, B, C) | €90 |
| Children 6–12 years (Categories A, B, C) | €45 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹631 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the Embassy of Italy — the INR equivalent shown is approximate and depends on the daily exchange rate. VFS Service Charge is ₹631 per applicant (inclusive of all taxes). Payment accepted via cash at VFS or Demand Draft in favour of 'VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED' (one banking instrument per applicant). Optional services: Courier Facility ₹795, Courier Assurance ₹631, Premium Lounge ₹4,669. Visa fee and service charges are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused by the Embassy of Italy or withdrawn while under processing.
Documents Required
Core Mandatory Documents
- !Application form (C) — fully completed + signed
Printed back-to-back. Separate form per applicant. For minors: signed by BOTH parents.
- !One recent passport-size photograph (white background)
3.5×4.5 cm, 80% face zoom, ≤6 months old, non-smiling, no sunglasses/hat. Stick on form — do not staple.
- !Valid passport
Issued within last 10 years, 6 months validity from travel date, 2 blank pages, no observations.
- !Cover letter
Explaining purpose, itinerary, accompanying persons.
- !Overseas medical insurance (photocopy)
Minimum €30,000 — emergency hospital + repatriation. From approved Indian insurer only.
- !Travel itinerary with dates + return flight reservation/ticket
Mention if other countries will be covered during the trip.
- !Copy of applicant's passport + all previous Schengen visas
Proof of Employment
- ○If employee: Company's original approval letter (headed paper) + 3 months pay slips + 3 years ITR
- ○If self-employed: Full Business Certificate of Incorporation + 3 months Business Bank Statement + 3 years ITR
- ○If student: Original letter from school/college (≤30 days old) with school details + signed by HOD
Financial Means
- !Salary slips / certificates last 3 months
- !ITR with Barcode (last 3 years)
- !Income Tax Challan Receipt (last 3 years)
- !Personal bank statement (last 6 months)
Original letter stamped by bank, OR online print stamped/signed by branch manager.
- ○Alternative: Bank Guarantee (Fidejussione bancaria) from Italian sponsor
Original + 1 photocopy covering stay expenses + personal bank statements. Original returned with passport.
- ○Credit card copy with statement of credit limit
Suggested additional document.
Accommodation
- !Confirmed hotel bookings
For the full duration of stay.
For Minors
- ○Application signed by both parents
- ○If travelling with both parents: birth certificate
- ○If travelling with one parent: original consent letter from the other parent, legalized through Italian Embassy/Consulate/Municipality + minor's birth certificate
- ○If minor travelling alone: consent letter from BOTH parents, legalized; if parents reside in India, they must sign at the Consulate
- ○If one parent is deceased: death certificate (original + copy) with English translation
- ○Copies of both parents' IDs
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Fill online application form
Go to visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ and fill the Schengen C form. Print back-to-back, sign.
Book VFS appointment
Choose the VFS centre matching your jurisdiction (New Delhi/Jalandhar/Chandigarh for North).
Gather documents
Use the Embassy New Delhi checklist. Include all financial docs, ITRs, bank statements, accommodation, insurance.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
In-person submission. Pay €90 + ₹631 VFS fee. Optional: Courier (₹795), Premium Lounge (₹4,669).
Decision from Embassy New Delhi
15 working days standard processing (extendable to 45). Personal interview possible at Embassy discretion.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — English
Print back-to-back, fully completed and signed by the applicant. A separate form is required per applicant.
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — Italian
Italian-language version of the same form.
National (D) Visa Application Form
For all long-stay (>90 days) Category D applications.
Declaration on Travel Health Insurance
Mandatory declaration confirming €30,000 minimum coverage from an approved Indian insurer (or approved Schengen alternative).
Processing Time (Waiver) Declaration
Waiver acknowledging standard processing time and the Embassy's right to extend it.
Data Protection Form
Privacy consent for data handled by VFS / Embassy.
DoV Application Form (for Study visas)
Declaration of Value required for study visas when CIMEA alternative not accepted by the Italian university.
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel — early enough to handle Embassy extension (up to 45 days), not so early that bookings become stale.
- Fill the application form online at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ BEFORE visiting VFS — most VFS centres have limited on-site PCs and filling there creates long queues.
- Italian-language documents are preferred for Business / Family Reunion invitation letters — if originals are in Italian, include an English translation only when required by the Embassy.
- Buy travel health insurance ONLY from the approved Indian insurers list (VFS Italy maintains the current list) — insurance from non-approved providers is rejected even with €30k+ coverage.
- Indian documents (birth/marriage/relationship certificates) need to be duly apostilled by MEA. Italian certificates are to be requested via the ANPR portal with QR code.
- Financial documents: last 6 months personal bank statements (not business accounts), stamped/signed by branch manager. Last 3 years ITR with barcode + Challan receipts strengthen the case.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Applicant is in possession of an invitation letter — wrong category (should apply under Visit Visa or Family EU)
- 2.Personal bank statements are business accounts or unstamped — Embassy requires personal accounts with bank attestation
- 3.Applicant mentioned agent's phone number instead of their own — Embassy judges application as incomplete
- 4.Travel insurance from non-approved Indian insurer or below €30,000
- 5.Insufficient ITR or Income Tax Challan proof (last 3 years required)
- 6.Weak ties to India — no clear return intent (job, property, family)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Embassy decides my Italy tourist visa?+
Can I enter other Schengen countries with an Italy tourist visa?+
How far in advance can I apply?+
Is interview mandatory?+
Can I use my existing international insurance?+
What happens if refused?+
Let us prepare your Italy Tourist Visa — (Schengen Type C — Short Stay) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Italy Visa Types
Italy Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals making conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits in Italy — up to 90 days.
Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Italy — up to 90 days. EU-national family members use a separate streamlined category.
Italy Research Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay research visa for Indian researchers visiting Italy for research activity (≤90 days) with a Host Agreement (Convenzione di accoglienza).
Italy Religious Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian religious workers (priests, pastors, preachers, teachers) travelling to Italy for up to 90 days for religious work.
Italy Study Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay study visa for Indian students undertaking courses ≤90 days in Italy, typically for entrance tests or short programs.
Italy Sports Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for professional and amateur Indian sportspeople, judges, and adjudicators participating in sports events in Italy.
Italy Transit Visa (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers
Schengen transit visa for Indian applicants who have flight or ship connection in Italy — typically for seafarers joining/disembarking ships at Italian ports.
Italy Invitation Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian applicants invited by an Italian Public Body or Institution for a 'public' purpose — political, cultural, scientific events.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Italy website and Embassy of Italy. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.