Think Italy, and the first images that pop into our head are pizzas and paved streets, and not to forget the Vespa, Lamborghini, and Ferrari! But dig a little deeper and you will find that it is home to a cornucopia of cultural wealth: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lake Como, Michelangelo’s Art, Tuscan Hill Towns, Venetian Gondolas, and the Colosseum! No wonder then that Italy beckons the travel-loving Canadian for a deep dive into its depths. It’s one Schengen Country that no one wants to miss!

Covid Regulations

As of March 2021, the Italian Government has opened up entry for visitors from Canada. However, you need to have an Italy Self-Declaration. This is a mandatory Special Travel Authorization document that grants you smooth immigration into Italy. The application for Italy Self-Declaration must be filled and submitted online along with a digital copy of your passport and a valid email address. Payment can be done via debit or credit card. The application itself is a simple form with questions about health and travel; so, don’t get anxious!

Italian Schengen Visa: Types and Jurisdiction

Canadian citizens can visit Italy without applying for a Schengen Visa if their duration of stay is less than 90 days. You only need an Electronic Travel Authorization or eTA prior to departure to cover immigration formalities. Non-Canadian citizens will require a Schengen Visa regardless of the length of stay.

Applications for Italian Visa are processed at the Italian Consulate in Canada located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and Ottawa. Each Consular Office covers the following regions:

• Montreal Office: Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut
• Ottawa Office: City of Ottawa, the Counties of Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, Russell, and Stormont in Ontario, as well as Outaouais Region of Québec
• Toronto Office: remaining provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories
• Vancouver Office: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Once you have identified your Visa Application Centre, you must decide on the type of visa you want. There is various types of visa to go to Italy as given below:

Short Stay Visa:

1. Business Visa:- This is for the people who want to go to Italy for Business purposes.
2. Tourism Visa:- The peoples who wants to see tourist places in Italy have to apply this visa. By this visa you can stay less than 90 days in Italy.
3. Employment Visa:- This visa is for the employees who required work permit.
4. Religious Purposes:- By this visa you can stay temporary in Italy. But you should be full time religious worker in Schengen.
5. Transit Visa:- This visa also almost same like tourism visa. With this visa you can stay in Italy short time only same like tourism.
6. Package Tour – Tour Operators:- Already you got it in type of visa name. This visa mainly for peoples who are Tour Operators. By this visa you can visit Italy single or multiple times depending upon the visa. The validity for this visa is up to 90 days.
7. Seaman Visa:- This visa is for Seaman who are transiting thought the Italy.
8. Study Visa – Research/General:- By this visa you can study or do any kind of research up to 90 days.
9. Sports Visa:- This is for Sports people who are professionals and wants to come to Italy to participate their respective sports or games.
10. Invitation Visa:- Invitation visa can give permission to stay up to 90 days for official purposes. But to apply to this visa you should have to invited by related official organization or the official emails about invitation has to send to Visa Section of the Embassy of Italy from your inviting organization in Italy.
11. Medical Treatment in Italy:- This type of visa is for medication treatment purpose up to 90 days.

Long Stay Visa:

1. Employment Visa: This type visa is same like employment visa as give above sections but the main difference in this you can stay more than 90 days with this Long stay Employment visa.
2. Study Visa:- This is also same like study visa as give above but by this Long stay study visa you can stay in Italy more than 90 days for study or research purposes.
3. Religious Purpose Visa:- With this type of visa you can stay more than 90 days in Italy for providing spiritual leadership, conducting worships, teaching about religious etc.,
4. Family Reunion Visa:- With this visa you can reunion with your family members like your Husband/Wife, Children and parents financially dependent on the sponsors. It is a long term visa (Type D). This visas must be Authorized by specified authorization (“NULLA OSTA”) issued by the Italian Authorization.
5. Re-Entry Visa:- If any person lost his residence permit or the permit has expired after he/she left the country can apply for this visa.
6. LAVORO AUTONOMO – Spettacolo_Artists/Entertainers/Dances:- This visa is for the persons who have work contract or they are consultants.
7. LAVORO AUTONOMO – Independent Work/ Independent Professionals:- This visa is for who are have independent work or who are independent professionals.
8. EU Citizen Visa:- EU Citizen visa is for the persons comes under below Category:
   1. Spouse of Italian Or EU Citizen
   1. Parent of EU citizen or Italian
   1. Mother or Father in law of Italian/EU citizens
   1. Child of EU citizen or Italian

A Schengen Visa can be granted for a maximum of 90 days. For longer stays you need to apply for a National Visa. However, in either case, you must initiate the application process at least 90 days prior to your proposed date of departure from Canada.

Required Documents to Apply Italian Schengen Visa:

1. Date and Sign the fully filled Schengen Visa Application form.
2. Original Passport with photocopies of main pages
   • Passport must be valid at least 90 days.
   • It should have at least 2 blank pages.
   • It shouldn’t have been issued more than 10 years before.
3. Recent Passport size picture (3.5 x 4.0 cm)
4. Original Permanent resident card with photocopies or Original study/work authorization with photocopies. Also, make sure the work/study authorization is at least valid for 90 days and it should have multiple entry.
5. Proof of residency document includes
   • Driving License
   • any other documents like utility, bank statement etc
6. Proof of Hotel Reservation document  OR  an Invitation Letter from relative or a Friend who is a permanent resident card holder in Italy.
7. Flight Confirmation document which is also known as Flight Itinerary Document.
8. Employment verification letter if you are employed.
9. Registration Certificate of the company or Tax document if you are a self-employee.
10. A Letter from your school/university if you are a student.
11. Financial document includes
    • Your last three months bank statement
    • if you are a self-employee you should provide your business bank account statement.
    • If you are dependent, you should provide your parents/spouse financial documents
12. A travel Insurance document which covers minimum of 30.000 Euro equivalent to CAD 50.000
13. Visa fee has to be paid in the form of Money Order or Cash, and the amount should be in Canadian Dollar.
14. Provide a prepaid self-addressed express post envelope if you want the passport to be mailed.

How to Apply for an Italian Schengen Visa

You can apply for an Italian Schengen Visa from the Consular websites of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, or Ottawa. Proceed to the correct Consular Office as per the jurisdiction your city falls under to avoid processing delays or outright cancellation!

Here is a brief overview of the website URLs and links for each Italian Consulate in Canada

Montreal:

Montreal Official Website → Visas → Visas SchengenEN → French/English → Electronic Application Form for Schengen Visa → E@pplication Schengen Visa System

Ottawa:

Ottawa Official Website → Visas → Visa Database → Answer the 4 Questions → Entry Visa Application Form → E@pplication Schengen Visa System

Toronto:

Toronto Official Website → Visas → “Do you need a Visa to enter Italy?” → Answer the 4 Questions → Entry Visa Application Form → E@pplication Schengen Visa System

Vancouver:

Vancouver fficial Website → Visas → Forms → Visa Section → Select the required Application Form to proceed. The page also contains links for documentation requirements and other general information.

Once you have submitted the Visa Application Form, the next step is to take a printout. Ensure that the printout contains a clear image of the 2D bar code as it contains all your information in encrypted format.

Next, make an appointment to visit the Consulate General of Italy using the same website where you initiated the application process.

On the day of appointment carry all the required documents, specifically your Visa Application Form, passport, flight itinerary, hotel reservation, Schengen health insurance/travel insurance, etc. The list of all pertinent documents is available on the consular website itself. So be sure to check them off! You will also have to submit your biometrics and be prepared for an interview with the Consular Authority regarding your proposed trip.

Italy Embassy in Canada

Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, Canada
275 Slater Street, 21st floor
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1P 5H9
Tel: + 1-613-232-2401
Fax: + 1-613-233-1484
Email: ambasciata.ottawa@esteri.it
PEC: amb.ottawa@cert.esteri.it

General Consulate of Italy in Toronto, Canada
136 Beverley Street
Toronto (Ontario) M5T 1Y5
Tel: 001 – 416-977-1566
Fax: 001 – 416-977-1119
Email: ancip.toronto@esteri.it
Visa Office Email: Visa.toronto@esteri.it

General Consulate of Italy in Montreal, Canada
3489, rue Drummond
Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1X6
Tel: +1 514 849-8351
Fax: +1 514 499-9471
Email: montreal.consolato@esteri.it

Destination Italy!!

Once you have satisfactorily fulfilled the Visa Application Process, it is time to patiently await your passport stamped with the Italian Visa. If you have submitted all the documents as per the list, and answered the interview questions honestly, you will face no hurdle in getting the stamped passport. However, if the documents have errors in them, or your responses to the interviewer were vague and uncertain, then it is likely that your visa will come to you empty. If the latter happens, there’s no need to worry. Simply re-apply and make sure that you do not repeat your previous mistakes this time round. Italy is waiting!