Italy is the link between Africa and most European countries. In recent times many traveler chooses Italy as their transit stopover before their final destination. Italy shares its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and two enclaves: Vatican City and San Marino Thus travellers going to any of the countries or territories will require an Italian transit Visa. For most Italian travellers, taking an intercontinental flight involves making a stopover. The only Italian airports that have a good portfolio of long-haul destinations served non-stop are Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. Only the former allows the use of Italy’s largest airline,
Moreover, even the two largest airports offer connectivity, globally, that is very limited when compared to that of major European and global airports. Hence, the question one almost always asks before leaving for a distant destination is: where do I stop over? Of course, the overriding consideration is that the airport chosen as a stopover is itself connected non-stop to our final destination. Another may be related to the airline we will be flying with and/or the frequent flyer program.
ELIGIBILITY
A transit visa to Italy is issued to citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the democratic republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Senegal.
Other countries not listed here have an exemption to a transit Visa issued by Italy meaning they can travel and pass through Italy without any visa requirement.
REQUIREMENT FOR AN ITALIAN TRANSIT VISA.
Foreigners travelling to another part of the world whose Visa requirement will demand a stop-over at the Italian Airport will have to present the following before they are granted an Italian transit visa.
- A completed and signed Italy Schengen Visa Application form
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages
- Two recent identical pictures that are in line with Italy’s Photo requirement
- Visa issued by the country that you are travelling to from Italy (if a visa is required)
- A booked airline ticket for the country that you are travelling to from Italy.
- Travel medical insurance covers a minimum of €30,000, all medical emergencies and the entire Schengen Area.
- Paid Italian visa fee
Note that if you want to change planes in Italy to travel to another Schengen country, you need a regular C-type Schengen visa, even if your final destination is a non-Schengen country. You can only change planes in Italy if you are catching a flight to a non-Schengen country.
How to Apply for an Italy Transit Visa?
You apply for an Italy Transit Visa (Airport or Seamen) at an adequate location which accepts all other Italian Visa applications in your country. Depending on the country, this could be:
- The Italian Representation in your country, such as an Italian embassy or consulate.
- The Representation of another Schengen country that Italy has outsourced visa applications to (if there is no Italian Representation in your country).
- A private Visa Application Center, such as VFS Global, COX and Kings, or TLS International, that Italy has outsourced visa applications to.
Before you submit your application, you have to book an appointment. On the date of your appointment, you must submit the completed Visa Application Form and all required documents in person.
COST OF GETTING AN ITALIAN TRANSIT VISA
An Italy transit visa costs €80 for adults. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 pay €40, and children under 6 are free.
Note the following:
- The cost of an Italy visa depends on the type of visa and the age of the applicant.
- The visa fee may also be waived for certain categories of applicants, such as students, researchers, and family members of EU/EEA nationals.
- The visa fee must be paid in the currency of the applicant’s country.
- There may be additional processing fees when applying for an Italian residence permit.