Italy Airport Transit Visa – Eligibility, Requirements and Application
If you are travelling through an Italian airport to reach your destination country, you’ll need to obtain an Italy Airport Transit Visa (ATV). The visa permits you to stay within any of the airports in Italy for up to 24 hours until you board your connecting flight.
It is without doubt that Italy has several airports for international flights. These include Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Naples International Airport, Ancona International Airport, Lamezia Terme International Airport, Federico Fellini International Airport, among others.
Travelers from different countries can surely travel through most of these airports to continue their journey to their destination country without delay at the airport.
Besides, the application process of an airport transit visa is simple to certain extent. An Italian embassy or consulate can guide you through the process without paying extra fees other than the visa fee.
Keep reading to explore more about Italy Airport Transit Visa, including its requirements, exemptions, application fees, process, validity period, and more.
What is an Italy Airport Transit Visa?
An Italy Airport Transit Visa is a type of visa that authorizes travelers to take a connecting flight (to another country) in an Italian airport without entering the country. Persons who are not citizens of Italy or a Schengen Area country must get this visa before starting their trip.
The visa has a validity period of 24 hours only. You can definitely submit your application for the visa at an Italian embassy or consulate in country of residence. Italy Airport Transit Visas may also be applied for at an Italian airport.
However, it’s important to apply in advance of your trip.
Italy Airport Transit Visa fees
Generally speaking, Italy has a number of airports, which includes some of the busiest in Europe. If your flight would be landing in an Italian airport for a connecting flight to another country, you need to be aware of the fees charged in getting a relevant visa.
The fee charged for airport transit visa applications via an Italian airport is €60. Bear in mind that the fee is non-refundable regardless of your visa application outcome.
Italy Airport Transit Visa requirements
The Italian embassy or consulate require several documents to determine applicant’s eligibility for airport transit visas.
During the application process of the Italy Airport Transit Visa, you must make provisions of the following documents.
- Filled out visa application form, which should feature your signature
- A valid passport with not less than two (2) blank pages
- Two (2) recent personal photos that look alike, and conform to Schengen photo requirements
- Flight ticket for your destination country
- Valid visa of your destination country (required if country is not visa-exempt)
- Proof of Italian visa fee payment
- Travel medical insurance valued up to €30,000 in order to cover you in every part of Schengen Area
Be sure to come with all aforementioned documents when leaving your country to catch a connecting flight in an Italian airport.
How to get an Italy Airport Transit Visa
To travel through an Italian airport, you first need to determine whether you need a visa to do so. An airport transit visa is valid for a maximum of 24 hours, and is obtainable at most Italian airports.
Take note that some Italian airports have extra requirements, which include possessing a passport that won’t expire until at least 6 months subsequent to your departure from the airport.
Hence, the following are four (4) steps in applying for an airport transit visa to help you travel through an Italian airport to another country.
- Put together all required documentation for visa application
- Decide how to apply for the visa
- Book an appointment with an embassy or consulate of Italy in your home country
- Visit the embassy or consulate on your appointment date
- Wait for visa application processing
STEP 1: Put together all required documentation for visa application
As the first step to apply for an Italy Airport Transit Visa (ATV), you have to gather all of the documents previously stated. The embassy or consulate needs these documents to determine your eligibility, as well as to process your application.
STEP 2: Decide how to apply for the visa
The second step to apply for an Italy airport transit visa is to make up your mind on how you want to apply for your visa. It is definitely possible to submit airport transit visa applications to an Italian embassy or consulate, through a visa application center, or at the airport.
STEP 3: Book an appointment with an embassy or consulate of Italy in your home country
#3 out of the 4 steps to apply for an airport transit visa is to schedule an appointment with the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. You can do this via phone call.
Ensure that all required documents are ready. You also need to set aside the visa fee, which is €60.
STEP 4: Visit the embassy or consulate on your appointment date
This step requires you to visit the Italian embassy or consulate on your appointment date. On your visit, you’ll need to submit your filled out and signed visa application form, as well as all other supporting documents.
You must also pay the visa fee on your visit.
STEP 5: Wait for visa application processing
At this time, you need to wait for the embassy or consulate to process your visa application. This will surely take a short period of time.
Duration of Italy Airport Transit Visa
The airport transit visa required to travel through an Italian airport to another country is valid for 24 hours. This visa is open to non-citizens of countries in Schengen Area who are making a trip elsewhere via an airport located in Italy.
Moreover, the Italy Airport Transit Visa does not permit its holders to leave airport environs no matter if their flight is on the next day.
Exemptions for Italy Airport Transit Visa
There are certain persons who do not need to apply for an airport transit visa for authorization to travel through an Italian airport to another country.
These include:-
- family members of an European Union (EU) citizen
- persons who hold a valid residence permit or visa for a country in Schengen-Area. This exemption also includes visa and residence permit holders of the United States, UK, Canada, Japan, Andorra, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino, and Ireland.
- holders of a special, service, or diplomatic passport
- persons whose occupation involves being a flight crew member, and is a citizen of a country among the Chicago Convention
Frequently Asked Questions
What means airport transit visa?
An airport transit visa is a type of visa that allows foreigners to travel through a country’s airport en route to another country. This type of visa is usually required for people who are non-citizens of the country where the airport is located.
Who needs to get an Italy Airport Transit Visa?
Persons in need of an Italy Airport Transit Visa (ATV) includes persons who are not Italian nationals, and foreign nationals who do not have a valid Schengen visa. This visa is required for tourists who wish to pass through Italy’s airports to other countries.
Can you transit through Italy without a visa?
Yes, you can transit through Italy without a visa only if you’re a national of a Schengen Area country. Besides, you’ll need to have a valid passport, visa and tickets for your onward journey. Take note that some Italian airports require travelers to meet a number of requirements.
Can you transit through Italy without COVID vaccine?
Yes, you can surely transit through Italy to another country without getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Bear in mind that vaccination or quarantine is required if you are coming from a country with high levels of COVID-19.
How long can I stay in an Italian airport with an airport transit visa?
The Italian airport transit visa is a short-term visa that authorizes you to stay with the airport for a maximum of 24 hours. If you want to stay to extend your stay, you’ll need to apply for a different type of visa.
Who can travel through an Italian airport without an airport transit visa?
Italian airports do not require airport transit visas for different categories of travelers. These include nationals of Schengen Area countries, relations of EU citizens, diplomatic, special or service passport holders, among others.
How much does it cost to get an Italy Airport Transit Visa?
The cost of obtaining an Italian Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is €60. If you don’t pay the visa fee, your application will be set aside, and not considered for processing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a valid Italy airport transit visa can authorize you to travel through an Italian airport in order to reach another country. The application process is simple, and you can initiate them by visiting a nearest Italian embassy or consulate.
Make sure you apply for the visa in advance of your trip, and don’t forget bringing any of the required documents with you. Have a great trip!
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