HOW TO GET A VISA
This Consulate will only process visa applications for persons residing in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Non KwaZulu-Natal residents are requested to approach Consulates in their region: Consulate-General in Johannesburg, Consulate in Cape Town and the Italian Embassy in Pretoria.
The Visa Office is open on the following days:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Visas take between 5-14 days to process.
For visa applications NO APPOINTMENTS are required
The Consulate is closed to the public on Wednesdays.
Visa applications can be made in person or via one of the following accredited visa couriers:
VISA REQUIREMENTS
TOURIST VISA:
• Valid South African passport (with a minimum expiry date of 3 (three) months from
return date). Passport must have 2 blank pages in it.
• Temporary South African passports are not valid for travel in the Schengen states.
• Application form (with proof of residence)
• 1 colour passport sized photo
• Copy of all airline tickets (leaving SA and returning, as well as any internal tickets).
The port / airport of entry into Italy must be clear
• Copy of itinerary
• Proof of accommodation must conform with one of the options listed below:
- Clear copies of all tour vouchers
- Copies of confirmed hotel / apartment bookings in Italy. The bookings must cover
the full duration of stay in Italy and other Schengen states. On-the-fly bookings by
applicants will not be accepted.
- E-mail correspondence will be accepted if hotel / apartment name and address
must appear in full.
- If you are staying with someone residing in Italy – the Official Invitation Letter
(downloadable from our website), must be completed, in full and accompanied by a
copy of the host’s passport or ID document.
• Copy of the table / scale of benefits for Travel Insurance. Benefits must have a
minimum medical coverage equivalent to €30.000. The dates on the certificate /
document must cover the full trip.
• Foreign exchange proof (not older than 1 month before date of application) must
conform with one of the following options listed below:
- Copy of receipt for foreign exchange purchased. Receipt must bear applicant’s
name.
- For credit cards: latest credit card statement showing available amount.
- Original bank letter declaring amount of foreign exchange ordered or purchased.
The words “sufficient funds” will not be accepted.
- Cash will not be accepted as proof of foreign exchange.
• Original letter of employment (Not dated more than 1 month before date of
application). Letter must be on the company’s letterhead with all relevant contact
details and must state the following:
- Applicant’s full name
- Dates of leave to be taken and date of return to work.
• Students: Original School or Tertiary Education letters - must state applicant’s full
name, dates of intended leave and confirmation that applicant will resume upon
return. Letters may not be more than 1 month old.
• Minors: Third page of application to be signed by both parents. If both parents do not
present themselves at the Consulate to sign consent before a Consular Official, then
consent must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths.
If the child is under 6 years of age – the visa is issued free of charge.
• Visa fee is due on presentation of the application and is payable in local currency
and in cash only. Please refer to the "Forms & Tariffs" section of this website for
updated visa fees.
• SPOUSES AND MINORS ( < 21 years ) of E.U. NATIONALS
- Applicants must present copy of E.U. national’s passport
- (Spouse) Copy of marriage certificate
- (Child) Copy of UNABRIDGED birth certificate - proving relationship with E.U.
National
- Visa is free of charge
BUSINESS VISA:
• Valid South African passport (with a minimum expiry date of 3 (three) months from
return date). Passport must have 2 blank pages in it.
• Temporary South African passports are not valid for travel in the Schengen states.
• Application form (with proof of residence)
• 1 colour passport sized photo
• Copy of all airline tickets (leaving SA and returning, as well as any internal tickets).
The port / airport of entry into Italy must be clear
• Copy of itinerary
• Proof of accommodation must conform with one of the options listed below:
- Clear copies of all tour vouchers
- Copies of confirmed hotel / apartment bookings in Italy. The bookings must cover
the full duration of stay in Italy and other Schengen states. On-the-fly bookings by
applicants will not be accepted.
- E-mail correspondence will be accepted if hotel / apartment name and address
must appear in full).
- If you are staying with someone residing in Italy – the Official Invitation Letter
(downloadable from our website), must be completed, in full and accompanied by a
copy of the host’s passport or ID document.
• Copy of the table / scale of benefits for Travel Insurance. Benefits must have a
minimum medical coverage equivalent to €30.000. The dates on the certificate /
document must cover the full trip.
• Foreign exchange proof (not older than 1 month before date of application) must
conform with one of the following options listed below:
- Copy of receipt for foreign exchange purchased. Receipt must bear applicant’s
name.
- For credit cards: latest credit card statement showing available amount.
- Original bank letter declaring amount of foreign exchange ordered or purchased. The
words “sufficient funds” will not be accepted.
- Cash will not be accepted as proof of foreign exchange.
• Original S.A. Company Letter (on company letterhead - not dated more than 1 month
before date of application), with all relevant contact details and signed must state the
following:
- Applicant’s full name;
- Dates of travel;
- Name of company in Schengen state to be visited.
• Invitation letter from Company in Schengen State (on company letterhead - not
dated more than 1 month before date of application), with all relevant contact details
and signed must state the following:
- Applicant’s full name;
- Visiting Company’s name;
- Dates of visit.
- Unsigned e-mail invitations will not be accepted.
• Visa fee is due on presentation of the application and is payable in local currency
and in cash only. Please refer to the "Forms & Tariffs" section of this website for
updated visa fees.
• SPOUSES AND MINORS ( < 21 years ) of E.U. NATIONALS
- Applicants must present copy of E.U. national’s passport
- (Spouse) Copy of marriage certificate
- Visa is free of charge
For any other types of visas, please refer to the following website:
http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp
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