Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visit / Family & FriendsVerified 2026-04-20Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
The Italy Visit Visa (Schengen Type C) is for Indian citizens visiting family or friends in Italy for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This category does NOT include Spouse / Civil Union / Children below 21 / Dependent Parents / Dependent In-Laws of EU nationals — those use the 'Visiting Family EU' (Family EU Reunion C) category with a streamlined free-of-charge process.
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
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.
- 10Italian citizens residing under Delhi jurisdiction (UT Delhi/Chandigarh, and the States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, UP) who are regularly enrolled in the Consular Register may contact the Consulate of Italy in Delhi to retrieve the necessary documentation.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens visiting relatives (non-EU spouse, siblings, parents, adult children, extended family) or friends in Italy
- Hosts who are Italian citizens OR non-EU citizens with valid Italian residence permit
Not eligible under this visa:
- Spouse / Civil Union / Children below 21 / Dependent Parents / Dependent In-Laws of EU nationals — use Visiting Family EU (free of charge, streamlined)
- Long-term stays (>90 days) — apply for Family Reunion D visa
- Applicants without a valid invitation letter from host
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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 Documents
- !Schengen Visa application form
- !Valid passport
Valid 3 months from Schengen departure, 2 empty pages, issued ≤10 years ago.
- !Passport copy of the inviting person (EU national or Indian citizen)
Host & Relationship Documentation
- !Invitation letter signed by host in Italy
Signature must match the one on their ID/Passport.
- !If host is EU citizen in Italy: ID or Passport copy including signature page
- !If host is non-EU citizen: Passport copy including signature page + Italian residence permit copy
- !Italian certificates (Birth certificate with parents' name, Marriage Certificate, Stato civile, Stato di famiglia)
Must be requested online via Italian ANPR portal with QR code. EU citizens can use eIDAS for digital identity access.
- !Indian documents duly apostilled by MEA
Marriage / birth / relationship certificates — apostilled is mandatory.
Financial & Travel
- !Overseas medical insurance — €30,000 min (stamped + signed by insurance company)
- ○For insufficient finances sponsored by host: Fidejussione
Original issued by Italian financial institute.
- !Proof of applicant's own economic status — salary certificate / business / student / self-employed letter + ITR
- !Proof of economic situation: 6 months bank statement updated to ≤1 month before submission, with transactions
Name must match passport. Positive balance. NO business accounts.
- !Round trip flight ticket
- !Proof of return to country of residence (employment contract, education, children's school, caregiver duties)
Examples in Embassy checklist.
For Minors
- ○Birth certificate (original + copy if traveling with both parents)
- ○If traveling with one parent: original legalized consent letter from non-present parent + minor's birth certificate (copy + original)
- ○If minor travels alone: Both parents will be summoned to the Embassy to sign the consent letter
- ○If one parent deceased: death certificate (original + copy)
- ○Copies of both parents' ID
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Host prepares invitation + Italian certificates
Italian certificates via ANPR portal with QR code. Host signs invitation letter with signature matching their passport.
Apostille Indian relationship documents
MEA apostille on marriage/birth/relationship certificates.
Arrange insurance + flight + bank statements
€30,000 insurance, round-trip ticket, 6-month bank statements stamped.
Fill form + book VFS
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ — match your jurisdiction VAC.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
Pay €90 + ₹631. Processing 15 working days (extendable to 45).
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.
Letter of Invitation (Lettera Di Invito) — Tourist template
Template for visit invitation letter.
VFS Application Centres
💡 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.
- Italian certificates MUST come via the ANPR portal with QR code — paper copies issued by the Italian Municipality will be verified with the Authority in Italy by the Embassy.
- Indian relationship documents (marriage/birth) must be duly apostilled by MEA — SDM attestation alone is not sufficient.
- Return intent proof is critical — include employment, children's school, or caregiver duties evidence in cover letter.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Host signature on invitation doesn't match passport signature
- 2.Italian certificates submitted without QR code (ANPR portal requirement)
- 3.Indian relationship documents not MEA-apostilled
- 4.Business bank accounts submitted instead of personal
- 5.No clear return intent — missing employment/property/family anchors in India
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm visiting my EU-citizen spouse — which category?+
My host is an Indian citizen with Italian residence — is that okay?+
What is the ANPR portal?+
Do I need MEA apostille on Indian documents?+
How long does it take?+
What if I can't prove enough funds?+
Let us prepare your Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends — (Schengen Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Italy Visa Types
Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing, and non-business leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
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 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.