3. SERVICES FOR FOREIGNERS (Visa Information)

Important Notice to all VISA Applicants

• Please make sure that you apply well in advance (3 weeks at least).
• The Italian Border Authorities (or other Schengen Countries) are entitled to demand again proof of possession of the requisites previously indicated in the application form (e.g. reasons for visa, evidence of financial support etc).
• Within 8 days from the date of entrance in Italy all foreign citizens must declare their presence at the competent territorial police in order to obtain the residence permit.
• Holders of a valid New Zealand passport do not need VISA to enter Italy or any other Schengen countries for tourism (maximum stay of 90 days per half year).
• To apply for a VISA this Embassy you must be resident in one of the following countries: New Zealand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue and Samoa.
• The passport must be valid for a period of at least three months beyond the validity of the VISA.
• Minors (under 18 years of age) who wish to apply for a VISA, in addition to the documentation required for a particular VISA, must produce a consent declaration from both parents.

Types of VISA:

There are different types of VISA:

If the VISA requested is for a maximum of 90 days, it is valid for Italy and the following Countries which are part of "The Schengen Convention": Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. This type of VISA is called Schengen VISA.

• If you intend to visit only one Schengen country you must apply for a VISA at the Embassy or Consulate of that Country.
• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries you must apply for a VISA at the Embassy or Consulate of the Country in which your main destination is situated.
• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries without having a main destination, you should apply for a VISA at the Embassy or Consulate of the first country that requires you to have a VISA.

• If the VISA requested is for more than 90 days it is valid for Italy only.
  
  For any type of VISA , the applicant is required to apply in person at the Consular Office of this Embassy. The applicant must present the correct documents according to the type of VISA he/she is applying for.
  
  

The documents to produce with the VISA application form may vary according to the different type of VISA required by the applicant. Listed below is the documentation required to apply for some types of VISA:

Airport Transit VISA:

1. A valid passport with a blank page to affix the VISA sticker.
2. One application form fully completed and signed by the applicant, with one passport size photograph.
3. The airline round trip ticket.
4. A VISA for your onward destination country, if required.
5. The VISA fee.

Transit VISA:

1. A valid passport with a blank page to affix the VISA sticker.
2. One application form fully completed and signed by the applicant, with one passport size photograph.
3. A valid residence permit if only resident in this Country.
4. The airline round trip ticket
5. A VISA for your onward destination Country, if required.
6. Evidence that you have sufficient founds to cover the cost of your intended stay (e.g. bank declaration, credit cards, Hotel accommodation...)
7. The VISA fee.

Tourism VISA:

1. A valid passport with a blank page to affix the VISA sticker.
2. One application form fully completed and signed by the applicant with one passport size photograph.
3. A valid residence permit, if only resident in this Country.
4. The airline round trip ticket.
5. Evidence that you have sufficient founds to cover the cost of your intended stay (e.g.: bank declaration, credit cards, Hotel accommodation etc)
6. Evidence of occupation/student status: proof of your current occupation. This should be an original letter from your employer, Company House or a Chamber of Commerce.
7. Medical insurance (covering medical and hospital care) is compulsory from June 1^st 2004.
8. The VISA fee.

Business VISA:

1. A valid passport with a blank page to affix the VISA sticker.
2. One application form fully completed and signed by the applicant with one passport size photograph.
3. A valid residence permit if only resident in this Country.
4. Proof of the purpose of your visit. This proof should be in the form of an official work or professional presentation letter, addressed to the Italian Embassy explaining in detail the nature and the dates of your trip to Italy. Anyone self employed should provide a document as proof of their business (letter from the local Chamber of Commerce or their solicitor) Applicants should also arrange for an invitation fax from the Italian company or firm. The invitation fax should be faxed directly to the Italian Embassy at the fax number: 04 4727255. The fax should specify the date of your visit and the nature of your business.
5. The airline round trip ticket.
6. The VISA fee.

Depending on individual circumstances, additional documents may be required.

Study VISA:

It is first necessary to be enrolled at a reputable school, centre, institute, etc. in Italy; the school in Italy would then forward the prospective student an acknowledgement of acceptance and enrolment at that school, the pre-paid enrolment fee and indications about the course commencement and termination dates.

The acknowledgement of enrolment must then be presented by the student to the Consular Office in support of an application for a study VISA together with the following documents:

1. Valid passport
2. One VISA application form with one passport size photograph.
3. A valid residence permit if only resident in this Country
4. Original copy of a full medical insurance policy (with unlimited cover for hospitalization and medical care) for the entire duration of the student's period of study in Italy.
5. Documentary evidence (stand-by letter of credit e.g.) as proof that the student would have sufficient funds to maintain him/herself during the study period in Italy and student accommodation references. Remember that Italian Authorities are entitled to demand again proofs of possession of the requisites.
6. Students who in accordance with Italian law are minors (i.e. under 18 years of age) must provide a letter giving parental consent for them to travel to and study in Italy. This consent must be signed by the parents/guardians in the presence of an Italian diplomatic or consular officer or if residing in localities of considerable distance from an Italian diplomatic or consular officer, before a Justice of Peace, and must also state that they would be prepared to support their son/daughter financially for the duration of his/her period of study in Italy.
7. The round trip air-ticket and itinerary with the date and place of entry to Italy and place and date of departure from Italy.
8. Consular fee.

Additional Notes for Students.

Different courses of study and relative requirements: If you are intending to enrol at an Italian State University to undertake a full-time degree course of study or single university papers, it is necessary that you inform this Embassy during the pre-established period (the period may vary from year to year) of your intention so that we can notify you of behalf for pre-enrolment at the university of your choice. Pre-enrolment is the necessary documents which this Embassy is required to submit on your designed to ascertain in the first instance:

• if the course of study you have selected is offered by the university of our choice
• if that university has places available for overseas students
• any specific documentary or procedural requirements that this university may have in respect of overseas student
• so that the overseas student can be duly notified of the date, time and place (usually sometime in the month of September) of the Italian language test which he/she is required to undertake prior to full enrolment (usually in November) after passing the language test.

If you are intending to undertake a language-culture course at the University for Foreigners in Perugia or at other similar institutions and that is a course other than a full-time degree course or single university courses, you may enrol yourself.

In either of the above instances pre-enrolment/enrolment is a pre-requisite to applying for and obtaining a study VISA.

Employment VISA:

It is first necessary that the prospective employer applies to the DIREZIONE PROVINCIALE DEL LAVORO - Servizio politiche del lavoro - for the Permit which allows you to work in Italy , which must be also endorsed with the entry Permit issued by the competent Police Authority, and the original copy of it, will be sent to you. You must then present it to the Embassy of Italy in Wellington together with:

1. A valid passport
2. An application form with one passport size photograph
3. The air ticket with the dates and places of entry and departure from Italy
4. VISA fee.

Sport Activities VISA:

It is fist necessary that the prospective Sport Club in Italy applies and obtains, from the local authorities (Questura and then CONI), the necessary authorization for the granting of a Sport activity VISA.

Once the above authorization is obtained, this Embassy will be informed and, on the basis of the authorization received, this Office will be able to issue the necessary VISA.

Furthermore, the following other documents must be presented with your application:

1. Valid passport
2. An application form with one passport size photograph
3. Copy of the air ticket and itinerary with the date and place of enter in Italy
4. Letter from the Sport Club in Italy sent to the applicant related to the type and quality of the performances carried out for the Sport Club.
5. The Consular fee.

For any further information regarding documentary requirements in order to obtain other types of VISA, please phone the Consular Office of this Embassy, tel. 04-4735339 ex 2 or 04-4947176.

Working Holiday VISA

Extract of the Working Holiday Scheme between New Zealand and Italy (signed in Wellington on 7 February 2001, operative now).

5. The Government of the Italian Republic, through the Italian Embassy in Wellington, or if necessary through other Italian diplomatic or consular offices will, subject to paragraph 6, on application by a New Zealand citizen, issue a multiple entry working holiday visa valid for a period of twelve (12) months and valid for presentation for the first entry into Italy within three (3) months from the date of issue to any person who satisfies each of the following requirements:
   
   -   is a citizen of New Zealand who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand;
   
   -    satisfies the visa officer that his/her primary intention is to holiday in the Italian Republic, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit;
   
   -    is aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years, both inclusive, at the time of application;
   
   -    is not accompanied by children;
   
   -    possesses a valid New Zealand passport;
   
   -    possesses a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket;
   
   -    possesses sufficient funds for his/her maintenance during the period of stay in the Italian Republic, in accordance with the Italian Republic, in accordance with the Italian national laws in force in this matter;
   
   -     pays the prescribed working holiday visa application fee;
   
   -     agrees to hold medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance to remain in force throughout his/her stay in the Italian Republic
6. The Government of the Italian Republic may issue, each year, up to two hundred and fifty (250) of the working holiday visas mentioned in paragraph 5 to citizens of New Zealand.
7. Subject to paragraph 6, the Government of the Italian Republic will issue through the competent authorities a work permit for a maximum of six (6) months and for not more than three (3) months with the same employer.
8. The competent authorities of the Italian Republic will expedite the issue of the necessary permits in the minimum possible time in accordance with the Italian national laws in force in this matter.
9. The Government of the Italian Republic will require any national from New Zealand who has entered the Italian Republic through the Scheme operating under this Arrangement to comply with the laws and regulations of the Italian Republic and not to engage in employment that is contrary to the purpose of the Scheme.