| Italy |
Requirements 
General Requirements
- Passport
Cannot be older than 10 years. SA Passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of return.
Must have the applicant’s signature on the relevant information page (newer SA passports already have the signature embedded on the hardcover
Older SA passports must sign the information page at the back). Passports require 2 valid, blank and consecutive pages (marked VISA). Visa pages are invalid if damaged or stained by stamps from other pages. Please note, visas cannot share the same page back to back.
Please also provide Copy & Original of the previous passport(s)
For Non-S.Passports, please also provide Copy and Original of valid South African permit (permit must also be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return).
Copies of any previous Schengen visas that have been issued in last 3 years, even if in another passport.
- Schengen Application Form (Click here)
All necessary fields to be neatly and accurately filled in. The form must be signed by the applicant (3 signatures per form). In the case of minors, the form MUST be signed by both parents.
- Colour ID Photos
Two recent (2) Colour ID photos taken within the past 6 months as required by Schengen Standards. Must have a neutral expression, mouth closed and nothing covering the eyes, ears or forehead. Photos with red eyes from a flash will not be accepted. Please see website for further specifications. Please make sure to write your name behind the ID Photos
- Proof of Transport
All confirmed return flights tickets from South Africa as well as flight/ferry/train/bus/taxi tickets showing entry/exit between all Schengen Countries MUST be provided. Name of the applicant must appear on all proof of transport. All confirmed car rental bookings must equally be provided. If the applicant is being collected by an EU resident/permit holder abroad, a copy of their driver’s license, car registration and a short letter of confirmation of pickup and drop off details will be necessary (Only required if crossing international borders into/out of Italy
- Travel Insurance
Please provide the Certificate pages of your travel insurance(Schedule of benefits, policy wording or claim form is not required). The Certificate page must display name of the insured person, policy number, amount of cover (minimum € 30,000) and duration of cover. An applicant’s insurance should cover the full period of travel. Insurance must cover Worldwide or the entire Schengen area (even if Italy is the sole destination). Insurance must provision for evacuation, repatriation and emergency transportation as well as the emergency in/out of hospital medical treatment.
- Proof of Accommodation
It is essential to have 100% accommodation for the entire period of stay in the Schengen area, therefore all confirmed bookings of hotels/apartments/rentals/backpacker’s are necessary. The applicant’s name needs to appear on the accommodation bookings. If booked by a 3rd party and your name does not feature on the confirmation, please have the person who made the booking provide a copy of their I.D./Passport and a letter confirming that you are their guest. Applicants visiting Italian Citizens or temporary residence holders in Italy must have a Host Declaration/Lettera D’Invito form (available on the Capago website completed by their host and accompanied by copy of their I.D./passport/permit (if the owner is nonItalian and owns property in Italy, please have them add a proof of residences such as Title Deeds, telephone accounts or recent utility bills from the last 3 months that clearly features that person’s name.)
- Proof of Funds
Latest 3 months bank statements or credit card statements or forex receipt (full name of the applicant must appear). Approximately 30 euros per day If sponsored by 3rd party, please have them complete a letter of sponsorship (available on our website) and provide their latest 3 months bank statements (names of account holder must be clearly visible) + an ID copy of the 3rd party. If the statements are in the name of a company or a trust, then the applicant must provide company registration documents or trust documents showing that they are members/owners of the company or the trust. Any traveler who is sponsored by an Italian citizen or Italian permit- holder living in Italy must obtain from their host a ‘Fideiussione Bancaria’ (letter of sponsorship) which is obtained by from the bank in Italy and must provide an ID copy of the sponsor. Please note that bank statements are requested for security reasons and are required even if travels are fully paid for by a company or 3rd party.
- Proof of Employment
Signed confirmation on a company letterhead showing that the applicant is currently employed and will return to resume his/her duties upon return to S.A and indicating the monthly salary and/or and a recent pay slip if applicable.
This letter MUST be an ORIGINAL. If an applicant owns their own company then they must provide the company registration documents (CC or CK documents) on which the applicant’s name appears. They must also provide an employment letter on their letterhead in conjunction with the company registration documents. If the applicant operates as a sole trader/proprietor then they must provide a written affidavit declaration to this effect from a commissioner of oaths or letter from authorized accounting officer/bookkeeper.
- Proof of Residence
A recent utility bill, bank statement or telephone account from the last 3 months that features the name of the applicant and the physical address. Title Deeds and Lease Agreements can also be supplied as proof of residence. If residing with a 3rd party, please attach to the proof of residence, a copy of their I.D. as well as a signed letter confirming that you reside with them.
Additional Requirements for Business Visa
- Proof of Employment
Signed confirmation on a company letterhead showing that the applicant is currently employed and will return to resume his/her duties upon return to S.A and indicating the monthly salary and/or and a recent pay slip if applicable.
This letter MUST be an ORIGINAL. If an applicant owns their own company then they must provide the company registration documents (CC or CK documents) on which the applicant’s name appears. They must also provide an employment letter on their letterhead in conjunction with the company registration documents. If the applicant operates as a sole trader/proprietor then they must provide a written affidavit declaration to this effect from a commissioner of oaths or letter from authorized accounting officer/bookkeeper.
- Professional invitation letter
A signed professional business letter of invitation from the company in Italy. It must be on a letterhead and indicate an outline of the business to be conducted in Italy. Dates and locations of all meetings should also be stated.
Please note that all business letters should be accompanied by the Italian Chamber of Commerce documents (Visura Camerale) to qualify for a business visa.
Please also enclosed proof of Identification of the inviting person.
- Visura Camerale / Chamber of Commerce
These official documents are obtained from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Italy (not the Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce). It is known as a Visura Camerale and must accompany all business visa applications. Please also include a copy of the inviting person’s Carta d’Identitá (Italian ID) or passport. Print only the first 5 pages – giving the description of the company as well as the page that reflects the inviting person’s position – / name. NOTE If you want to get the Visura Camerale you have to ask directly to the Italian company which invited you and not to the Chamber of Commerce in South Africa
Additional Requirements for Minors
- Letter from School / University / College
A signed & stamped letterhead declaring that applicant is a pupil/student currently registered at the School/University/College. It should stipulate that the school is aware of the dates of travel to Italy and return to South Africa.
This document needs to be an original, with an ink signature(IMPORTANT)
- Unabridged Birth Certificate
Please provide Original and Copy of the Unabridged Birth Certificate. It must show the names of both parents and child. If no Unabridged Birth Certificate can be submitted, please provide an Abridged Birth Certificate, the receipt from an application for an Unabridged Birth Certificate and most importantly, either a letter from the hospital where the child was born or a letter from the school,both of which must clearly state the identity of the biological parents.
- Parental Consent Letter
This document is available on the Capago website and mandatory for traveling minors. It must be signed in person by both the parents / legal guardians at the Capago Visa Application Centre. Please attach to this form: Minor’s Unabridged/Full Birth Certificate, signed copies of the parent’s passports (new SA Passports already have signature embedded on the info page), Marriage Certificate (if applicable) and the flight tickets of the accompanying parent
(s). One of the parents must also please provide their employment letter and 3 months of bank personal statements. If parents cannot provide their signed passport copies they may submit a copy of their temporary passport or their SA driver’s license. If one parent is out of the country / unable to appear in person, they must complete the consent form before a commissioner of oaths / Police and add an affidavit explaining the reason for their absence
Important Note
- Applicant does not have to do biometrics if he had a previous Schengen Visa issued in the last 5 years with the remark “VIS” in the Visa   (Sample of VIS)
- Where the Issuing Authority requires applicants to present themselves for biometrics ON SUBMISSION. Flash Visa Services will do a quality check of documents you provide, book the visa appointment and pre-pay the visa for lodgement. A Flash Visa Services representative will meet you and guide you through the visa process on the day of your appointment.
- Visas are required by South African passport holders.
- Visas cannot be issued on arrival.
- Visa applications will be rejected if application forms are not fully completed & signed & are not accompanied by the required documents.
- The possession of a visa is only one of the pre-requisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen state’s Border, authorities may refuse entry, no claim to reimbursement of the visa can be submitted.
- The Schengen state’s consular offices reserve the right to request further documentation should it be deemed necessary.
- For organized groups, arrangements should be made well in advance with the relevant issuing authority.
- There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued.
- Visa processing fees are not reimbursable if a visa is rejected
- Certified parental consent, by both parents for children under 18 traveling alone. If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must produce the notarized/certified consent. If only one parent has guardianship of a minor, the court documents stating so must be presented
- The unabridged birth certificate must be submitted to identify the parents of the child.
Delay
5 to 10 Working Days
The appointment has to be made prior to submission
Cost
Kindly contact Flash Visa Services for most recent cost
Flash Visa Services charge a service fee.
Please note that Flash Visa Services cc can not be held responsible for any possible delays in issuing of visas.
Flash Visa Services cannot be held accountable for the possibility of visas being declined or refused.
Application forms and requirements can change without prior notice.