If you are a US citizen, then you do not need a Schengen visa to visit Europe, just an ETISAS visa will do. If you are a US green card holder, then you will not get all the benefits which normally US citizen gets when it comes to travelling, So this article shows how to get Italy visa for Green card holders residing in United States, in which it explains about the Italian visa requirements, process, visa appointment, visa fees, flight itinerary and many more.
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Do US green card holders need to obtain an Italian Schengen Visa?
Yes. If you are US green card holder, as citizens of a third country need Italy Schengen visa to enter the Italy depending on what passport you hold. As per the Schengen Area Free Movement Agreement, your identity (the country that issues your passport) is more important than the country where you live.
Therefore, if your country does not have a free movement deal, you will need to get a Italy Schengen visa before you go there.
For example, if you have an Indian passport but live in the US, still you need a Schengen visa to visit Italy because your country does not have a bilateral deal with Schengen states.
This applies to (e.g., Green Card holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.) holders.
Can I get a Schengen visa for Italy from the US if I’m not a US citizen but have a green card?
Yes. You have to visit any of the Italian consulates or VAC in the US to get your Italy Schengen visa. It’s not necessary go to your home country to apply for an Italian visa.
Do US Citizens need a visa to visit Italy?
If you are a US citizen, and you planned to stays in Italy only for 90 days out of every 180 days for things like work, tourism, short-term studies, medical care, or cultural or sporting events, they don’t need a visa for Italy..
However, you need to apply for a National (D) Visa if you plan to stay for a longer duration like for study, or work purpose in Italy.
About ETIAS Italy for U.S. Citizens
From 2024 onwards, U.S citizens need an ETIAS to visit Italy as well as other Schengen countries. ETIAS is an Electronic travel permit which will allow the people from countries that don’t need visas to travel in Schengen area. You need to register online to obtain your ETIAS. It is valid for three years or until the date on your passport runs out, whichever comes first.
With an ETIAS, You can travel to Italy and other Schengen countries multiple times.
U.S Citizens need ETIAS for only short stays things like Tourism, business and short term studies purpose which should not exceed more than 90 days. You can not work in Italy by having your ETIAS, to work in Italy you need to apply for an Italian visa.
How to Apply for Italy Schengen visa for US for green card holders ?
If you are U.S green card holder and you planned to travel Italy then follow these steps to apply for Italy Schengen visa:
- You need to gather all required documents to get your Italy visa: Here check out the Italy visa document requirements, and start gather all the necessary documents for your visa. If you miss any one of the important documents, you will not get your Italy visa.
- Fill the Application Form: Once you gather all the required documents for your visa, the next step is to download the Italy Schengen visa application form and fill it carefully with accurate details. It’s hardly takes 45 to 60 min to fill.
- Schedule your visa appointment: After completing first 2 steps, next you have to book your visa appointment slots. It’s not easy to get slots as your required date, That’s why you need to apply for your Italy visa 3 months before your departure.
- Attend the vis appointment: After scheduling your appointment, you need to go to the embassy or consulate on your scheduled date / time to attend the visa appointment interview along with the all your required documents copy.
- Pay the Visa Fee: You need to pay the visa fee and need to wait for the feedback of your Italy Schengen Visa.
Where to Apply for Italy Schengen visa for US green card holders?
So you will need to apply for all your Italian Schengen visas at Italian embassy or consulates or any designated VAC.
There are 10 Italian consulates in the US : You can click below the jurisdiction that you come under to know your visa processing
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Boston
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Chicago
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Detroit
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Philadelphia
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Huston
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Los Angeles
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Miami
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in New York
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in San Francisco
- Apply for Italy Schengen visa in Washington
The next Step is getting an appointment for Italy visa with the consulate in the right jurisdiction.
The main link to the Italian consulate and locations in United States is : https://www.italiandualcitizenship.net/italian-consulate-locations/ From here, you can get consulates locations and website address where you can see the more details on Italy Schengen visa.
What are the Italy Schengen visa Requirements for U.S green card holders?
1. Italy Schengen Visa Form
- The applicant must download and fill out all of the parts of an official visa application form and sign it. If the person applying is under 18, one of their parents must sign the form.
- You need to download your Italy Schengen visa application form here.
- To know how to fill Italy Schengen visa application form, visit here.
2. Round Trip Flight Itinerary
It can be risky if you paid fully for your flight tickets before your visa is approved. Instead of that we help you to create dummy flight itinerary for your visa purposes, once your visa gets approved then you can pay for the actual flight tickets.
- Arrival and departure from the Schengen area
- Departure and arrival to the United States of America
You can know more about flight itinerary for Italy Schengen visa.
3. Travel insurance for Italy Schengen visa
In order to apply for an Italian visa, you must have proper travel insurance if you need a Italy Schengen visa. on the other hand, If you can visit Italy without a Italy visa you don’t have to get travel insurance, but we advice better to have travel insurance.
In case, if you want to stay in Italy for a longer duration, like with a Work or Student visa, then you must need health insurance instead of travel insurance.
Certificate from the insurance company that lists the applicant’s name, the dates of coverage, the amount of coverage, and the minimum coverage of €30.000 or $50.000. There shouldn’t be any limits in the insurance costs. Click on the link below to get insurance.
Your insurance must also cover other countries that you plan to visit (if any) . Know more about insurance for Italy Schengen visa here.
4. Cover Letter for Italy Schengen Visa
A Cover letter (also known as visa letter ) is one of the most important required documents you need to submit when applying for your Italy Schengen visa. As Cover letter is the first document that the Italy visa officer will read to understand your Italian Schengen visa application.
It is the one and only place where you can personally talk to the visa consulate officials and convince them to accept your Italy visa application.
Know more about cover letter for Italy Schengen visa.
5. Italy Schengen Visa Photo Specification
Photo must be attached to the Italy Schengen visa application. An updated, passport-size must be 35mm by 45mm, Those who wear hats or choose bad lighting will be automatically rejected. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Making sure the brightness is right will give your face a uniform light. color photo taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective spectacles or clothing covering the facial oval. Baby and toddler photos must not show the parent holding them.
Know more about Italy visa photo specification here.
6. A Valid Passport
- Copy of original passport pages with biometric data and previous Schengen visas.
- the passport must be valid at least three months after leaving Italy and Schengen area.
- At least two blank pages are required.
- Passports older than 10 years are rejected.
7. Proof of Residence
Proof that you live in the area where the consulate is located: State ID, Driver’s License, or Student ID.
- Original and copy of Permanent Resident Card or Green card valid in US
- Valid US long-term Visa
- F1 student visas must also submit original and copy of valid I-20 form
- Holders of B-1/B-2 visas must apply in their country of permanent residence, they cannot apply in the United States.
8. If applying for Italy Business Visa
- A letter of invitation from either the Italian company or the local company, outlining the contact person and address in Italy, as well as the objective of the visit and who will fund the associated expenses.
- A valid certificate from your current employer.
- Your Last 6 month bank Statement
- Your Travel financing proof
9. Proof of Accommodation
You need to prove that you have valid proof of stay which is already arranged, which can be in terms of hotel, apartment or hostel bookings for each and every country and city of your trip.
You need to submit original Invitation issued by the local police station proceeded by a Citizen or a Legal Resident of Italy needs to be submitted, If you are staying with someone else.
To know more about proof of accommodation for Italy Visa.
10. Proof of Subsistence
You need to prove by submitting valid proof that you have enough money for the entire trip duration after you have booked the flight & accommodation for the whole trip. In order to stay in the Schengen area, you must show proof of at least USD $115 per person per day.
Valid proofs can be one of last 3 months bank statements or latest credit card statement.
11. Proof of Income
- For employee:
- Updated Employer letter indicating position, length of employed
- salary or the latest 3 payment stubs.
- Leave Approval letter for Italy Schengen visa from your current employer.
- ITR (Income Tax Return) Certificate
- For students:
- Registration letter from school, college or university.
- Valid I-20 form
- Self-employed:
- Last year Income Tax Return
- “Good Standing Certificate” issued by the Secretary of State.
- Last 6 month Bank Statement.
- Financial dependent:
- Last joint Income Tax Return or joint bank statements
- Sponsorship Letter
12. Additional Documentation for Minors
- Written permission from parents or guardians, notarized, to travel abroad.
- Italy Schengen visa application form which is signed by parents or guardians
- Both original and a copy of birth Certificate
- At least one parent must be there, and the other parent must give written permission for the application to be made in his or her place.
What are the Italy Schengen visa Types that green card holder can apply?
- Italy Transit Visa : You might need to get a transit visa if you are stopping in one of Italy’s airports for a short time.
- Italy Tourist Visa : Whether you’re going to Italy for vacation, to see the sights, or to see family and friends who live there. Then you can get a tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
- Italy Visitor visa : You can apply for this visa for those who have a their relatives or friends who is living in Italy.
- Italy Business visa : if you are going to be in Italy for any business-related tasks, trade fair, meeting clients, then you need a business visa.
- Italy Diplomat visa : for official visits by government officials or national groups.
- Italy Medical visa : If you need surgery or medical treatment in Italy,.
- Italy Student Visa : Enrolling in a university in Italy. Then you need to obtain a student visa or study visa.
- Italy visa for Sports, Film Crew : If you are attending a sport, cultural events or filming a movie, Then you must obtain a cultural visa.
- Italy Spouse Visa : If you planned to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit for
Who can Apply for Italy Schengen visa in United States ?
Citizens of other countries who spend the most of their time in Italy during their Schengen trip, i.e., those whose primary destination is Italy.
If number of days you can stay in Italy and another Schengen country is same, Then you need to apply for Italy Schengen visa for visiting.
Where to book an appointment for Italy visa for green card holders ?
You need to book an Italy Schengen visa appointment online on the respective website of the branch. As mentioned earlier, there are 10 Italian consulates where you need to submit the documents and visa application.
How long does it take for my Italian Schengen visa to be Approved ?
In United States, The processing of your Italian Schengen visa may take around 15 working days once after the visa application sent in. In some certain conditions, like when the consulates get huge number of applications, in that period, visa processing may extended up to 30 to 45 days.
The Consular Office may ask the applicant to send any missing documents or any other information or documents that are needed to make a decision about the application. The candidate might also be asked to come in for an visa interview.
What happens on the day of the appointment for Italy visa for Green card holders ?
On the day of your appointment, the consulate officials will check all your documents. If any of them are not correct. for instance, if you have the wrong type of insurance or a photo that doesn’t meet their standards, you will be asked to pay a lot of money to get a new one from their in-house studio or experts.
So it is very important that you should not make any mistakes here and you have the consultation of Schengen experts such as ourselves.
Also your bio-metrics will be taken at the center.
Applicants for passports will have their faces and fingerprints taken during the visa application process. People who are younger than 12 or whose fingerprints have been taken in the last 59 months don’t have to get them done again.
The second case, the individual will have to come back to consulates and get their fingerprints taken again if they aren’t very good.
A visa is not an assurance of entry into the Schengen area. All legal requirements must be fulfilled by the traveler.
What to do if my Italy visa is refused ?
If your visa is not approved, then you have 60 days from the date you were told of the decision to file an appeal with the Regional Administrative Court (T.A.R.) of Lazio.
If you are denied a visa for family reunification or to bring family members with you, you can file an appeal with the appropriate ordinary court at any time.
Appeals must be sent straight to the Avvocatura dello Stato, which is the State Legal Service.
What is the fees for a applying for a Italy visa in the United States?
The Italy visa fees for a applying in the United States are:
- Italy Schengen visa application fee for Adults is 80 EUR.
- Italy Schengen visa application fee for kids under 6 years is free.
- Italy Schengen visa application fee for kids aged between 6 to 11 years is 40 EUR.
- Italy Schengen visa application fee for US residents holding a Armenia, Kosovo or Azerbaijan passport is 35 EUR
- Italy Schengen visa application fee for US residents holding a Gambia passport is 120 EUR.
Do Green Card Holders Need an Italy Schengen Visa?
What passport you have currently decides this. You will not need to apply for a Italy Schengen Visa if your passport was issued by one of the 25 Schengen countries. Still, you’ll need one if you’re a citizen of one of the nations listed below.
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