VR Team | Nov 11, 2018 | 0 comments
One of the best places in Europe to visit, Italy has a history that spans many centuries and you can delve into the past with hundreds of ancient monuments, buildings, and cities across the country. With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the dazzling sands and azure waters will wash your troubles away. Explore the most popular attractions or discover a few less well-known ones, you won’t be at a loss of things to do in this alluring country.In this article learn more about how to apply for Italy Visa at the Italian consulate in Boston, Italian visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Italian visa application center and Italy Visa Application Process at the Boston consulate.
Schengen Visa
Of the 1,850,260 applications received for Italian Schengen visas in 2017, 141,722 were not issued. The Consulate General of Italy in Boston issued all but 3 of the 1,142 applications they received.
Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States
If you are a non-US citizen and live permanently in the US, you must apply for an Italian Schengen visa from one of the consulates in the US.
However, if you have a B1/B2 visa, you must apply for an Airport Transit visa only. You should arrange this in your own country.
First of all, you have to make sure you apply at the right Italian embassy and consulate.The Italian consulate in Boston accepts applications from people living in the following areas:
– Maine
– Massachusetts
– New Hampshire
– Rhode Island
– Vermont
Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Consulate General of Italy in Boson
The type of visa you need to enter Italy depends on how long you are planning to go for.
1) Up to 90 days – Schengen visa
2) Over 90 days – National visa
Your reason for travel will determine the category of visa you need and the following visas, which are valid for a maximum of 90 days, can be applied for at the Consulate General of Italy in Boston:
a) Tourism
b) Business
c) Invitation
d) Medical Care
e) Mission
f) Religious reasons
g) Research
h) Salaried employment
i) Salaried employment (entertainment field/sports activity)
j) Self-employment
k) Self-employment (entertainment field)
l) Sports competition
m) Study
n) Transit
o) Transport
Each of these visas can be:
1) Single entry – Maximum of 1 entry during 90 day period
2) Double entry – Maximum of 2 entries during the 90 day period
3) Multiple entry– Unlimited entries during the 90 day period
The following visas are available if you are planning on going to Italy for over 90 days:
- Adoption
- Elective residence
- Family reasons
- Family reasons (family members of EU citizen)
- Medical care
- Mission
- Re-entry
- Religious reasons
- Research
- Salaried employment
- Salaried employment (artists/maritime/sports activity)
- Self-employment
- Study
- Study (apprenticeship/vocational training)
- Voluntary work (European voluntary service/national quotas)
- Working holiday
Schengen Visa Application Process at the Consulate General of Italy in Boston
The website of the Consulate General of Italy in Boston has a handy tool that will tell you if you need to apply for a visa based on your nationality, country of residence, reasons for visit, and length of stay. Just complete the basic information on the questionnaire and it will tell you what documents you need to provide. It will also provide you with the consulate details.
Once you’ve had a look at that, the next thing you need to do is to book your appointment.
Step 1: Making an appointment
The Italian consulate in Boston only accepts online appointments. You must make your appointment with their online booking system, Prenota Online.
You’ll need to log on or register as a new user if this is your first time using the system.
You must take account of the consulate’s processing times when applying for your Italian visa. If you don’t, then your visa may not be done in time. You can apply up to 3 months in advance, so bear that in mind when booking your appointment. If you cannot get an appointment, you should keep checking the booking system for cancellations.
Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Step 2: Getting your paperwork ready
Step 2 is extremely important and you should take time to get all your documents prepared. The consulate’s website has a list of required documents depending on your reason for travel, but they include the following:
1) Schengen visa application form filled in and signed at the consulate (You can complete your application form online if you prefer)
2) Recent passport-style photo – 5 cm x 4.5 cm, full front, and white background
3) Passport (and a copy of relevant pages) – valid for 3 months past trip dates, issued within last 10 years, 2 empty pages
4) Alien Registration Card/valid US INS visa and the letter from US government letters i.e. Advanced Parole, IAP66, I20 and copies, I797
5) Proof of physical residence – photocopy of driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill
6) Round trip flight tickets – showing entry and exit from Italy
7) Proof of lodging in Italy – tourist vouchers/hotel booking/offer of hospitality/letter of invitation and host’s ID or permit of stay
8) Proof of economic means of support – last 3 bank statements
9) Proof of employment
– Employed applicants: a recent letter of references from your employer (stating employment start date, job title, annual salary and vacation period) and last three pay stubs
– Self-employed applicants: last 3 bank statements, business income taxes, certificates of incorporation
– Retired applicants: retirement compensation from social security;
– Students: official school letter stating full-time enrolment
– Unemployed applicants:
– dependent spouses or parents should provide spouse/child’s employment letter, pay stubs and joint income tax return and/or marriage/birth certificates
– dependent children should provide parents’ last 3 bank statements, last 3 pay stubs, and income tax return and/or birth certificate
10) Travel insurance – €30,000 cover for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, and repatriation
11) Invitation letter
12)Business registration document
13) Confirmation of enrolment/internship
14) Proof of studies in the home country
15) Scholarship/financial aid details
16) Declaration of value
17) Confirmation of course/cultural program
18) Religious qualification and details of participation in any type of event
19) Birth and/or marriage certificate
20) Military orders
21) Lease agreement
22) Letter of intent to move to Italy
23) Entry clearance documents (Nulla Osta)
24) Parental consent form (for minors)
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 3: Attend the interview
Step 3 is also very important and you should treat the visa interview seriously. Bear in mind that you want to get a visa to visit Italy and how you look and behave does have an impact on the outcome. Don’t forget any of your paperwork because if there is anything missing, the interview can’t proceed until you submit everything that is required. Also, it’s a good idea to dress smartly as this also helps to make a good impression.
If you feel nervous before the interview begins, try to relax and take a few minutes to think about what you will say in the event they ask you any questions. The questions are designed to confirm the details in your application, so answer them honestly and to the point. Typical Schengen visa interview questions include:
- Are you married?
- Is this your first time to Italy?
- What do you know about Italy?
- How will you pay for your trip?
- Are you meeting friends there?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
You’ll also need to pay the relevant fee for your visa and you can pay by money order only.
Type of Visa | Fee |
Italian Schengen visa | $70.00/€60.00 |
Italian Schengen visa (minor ages 6-12) | $41.00/€35.00 |
Long Stay National visa | $135.00/€116.00 |
Student visa | $59.00/€50.00 |
After the interview, you may have to provide biometric data which will be scanned into the system for use by authorities.
Step 4: Receiving your visa
You need to provide a declaration of mailing form when you submit your paperwork for your passport to be mailed back to you when it’s ready. The consulate in Boston aims to process visa applications between 1 and 2 weeks, however, the timescales may change depending on your reason for travel.
You shouldn’t have any problems when applying, especially if you follow these 4 steps to the tee. However, Schengen visa applications do get rejected for a number of reasons:
- Lack of proof of lodging
- Passport doesn’t have 2 free pages
- Lack of financial means
- Incomplete documents
- Invalid reference/sponsorship letter
- Reason for travel cannot be established
The best way to ensure your application doesn’t get rejected is to have all the necessary documents, completed and in order. In addition, be forthcoming and honest with your answers to questions asked at your interview.
Contact detail for the Consulate General of Italy in Boston
Address: 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
Email: visti.boston@esteri.it
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Conclusion
When you apply for your Italian Schengen visa at the Consulate General of Italy in Boston, all you need to do is:
- Make your online appointment
- Get all your paperwork ready
- Turn up to your interview, on time and with your documentation
- Receive your passport and, hopefully, your Italian visa
The consulate’s website has a lot of useful information, so use that, but also follow these 4 steps to make your life even easier. Then you can concentrate on planning the next stage – your holiday to Italy.
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa and much more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.
See Also:
How To Apply for Italy Schengen Visa at Italian Consulate in Chicago, Illinois
How to Apply for an Italian Schengen Visa from Consulate General of Italy in NYC, New York
How To Apply for Italy Schengen Visa at Italian Consulate in San Francisco, California
FAQs
How to get Schengen visa appointment easily? ›
Book a Schengen visa appointment in order to proceed with your application. Most countries give you a chance to book an appointment online. On the other hand, in others, you will need to book the appointment in person at the embassy or consulate of your destination country.
How do I book an appointment for an Italian Schengen visa? ›- Step 1: Choose your travel purpose. ...
- Step 2: Fill out the application form. ...
- Step 3: Create your user account. ...
- Step 4: Make an appointment. ...
- Step 5: Submit your application in the visa application centre. ...
- Step 6: Collect your passport.
Wait for your Italy visa application to be processed
After you submit your Italy visa application, you will have to wait for it to be processed., It is usually processed within 2-3 weeks. However, the processing time can take much longer depending on the country you are applying from and your specific circumstances.
The easiest and fastest way to get your Italy Tourist Visa is through Atlys. Atlys simplifies the entire Schengen Visa application process for you. With Atlys, you can apply from the comfort of your own home.
Which Schengen appointment is easiest? ›- Luxembourg – with a rejection rate as low as 1.2 percent out of total 2,383 Schengen visa applications received.
- Slovakia – 2.7 percent out of 3,886 applications.
- Lithuania – 2.8 percent out of 24,764 applications.
iVisa.com has three available Germany Schengen Visa: Processing Time: the standard one takes 10 business days, the rush one lasts about 6 business days, and the super rush, the fastest one, takes only 4 business days to process your application. Prices vary according to their speed.
Why are Italy visa appointments not available? ›No Schengen visa appointments till September 2022
Because of such a high demand, individuals who have not applied for the visa will not be able to get a slot till mid-September 2022. The executives of the travel industry told that no slots for July and August are available for the 26 Schengen Area countries.
In order to make our services more efficient, the Consulate General receives applications ONLY by appointment, apart from proven urgent cases. However, not all services require personal attendance as some can be processed by post or by email.
How do I make an appointment with the Italian Consulate in Boston? ›- Go to Italy's visa appointment system.
- Select the Italian Consulate in Boston.
- Create an account by tapping 'New user registration. ...
- Verify your email.
- Now, login to the system.
- Tap 'Make your reservation. ...
- Select 'Visas'
If you want to apply at the Embassy of Italy (for visas and legalizations) you require an appointment which must be booked through Gerry's call centre. Please contact Gerry's call centre on 051 8439348. Partnering with governments across the world, we support visa applicants through the entire application process.
How do I check visa slots availability in Italy? ›
The online booking system is available on the VFS website at this link https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/ita/book-an-appointment.
How early should I arrive for visa appointment? ›Therefore, applicants should arrive only within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. There is no need to arrive at the Embassy before the sun rises or hours before your appointment time to ensure you will be seen.
How to apply for Italian tourist visa from USA? ›- Locate an Italian Embassy, Consulate, or Visa application center.
- Determine which Italian visa type is needed (tourist, business, work, etc.).
- Complete the application form for an Italian short-stay visa.
- Collect the required documents for an Italy visa.
Category | Processing Time |
---|---|
Business/Tourism | 15 Working Days |
Sports Short Stay | 15 Working Days |
Invitation Short Stay | 15 Working Days |
Transit | 15 Working Days |
The easiest way of immigrating to Italy as a foreign individual is by obtaining a temporary residence permit. This is usually issued to those who want to live but also work in Italy. This is why this type of permit is issued together with an employment contract.
Can I walk in for Schengen Visa? ›If you need to travel urgently, miss your pre-booked appointment, or simply cannot book an appointment at your preferred date and time, the Walk-in Without Appointment service, available for select countries, allows you to submit your visa application on a day you choose.
Can I get Schengen Visa in 3 days? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
When should I book my Schengen Visa appointment? ›Schengen Visa appointment will be released every Sunday at 10:00 hrs; customer are requested to login in the appointment module at 10:00 hrs to book an appointment.
Which is the hardest country to get Schengen visa? ›This means that Sweden, Norway, France, Denmark, and Belgium were the most likely countries to reject a Schengen visa in 2021.
What is the most difficult Schengen visa to get? ›Which Countries Have The Highest Rejection Rates? According to Schengen Visa Statistic 2021, the 4 countries with the highest rejection rates were: Sweden, Norway, France, and Denmark.
How fast can I get a Schengen visa in USA? ›
It usually takes around two weeks or 15 days to process a Schengen Visa from the U.S.A.. It may - however - take as long as 30 or even 60 days in exceptional circumstances.
Why is there no visa appointments available? ›We have experienced an unprecedented demand for international travel post lifting of Covid-led travel restrictions, causing delay in visa processing as well as availability of application slots.
Why is there no slot for visa appointment? ›What should I know about the appointment? Appointments are made available for booking up to 90 days from current date. If message “No Slots Available” is displayed, you should try again in a few days' time. You can only book one appointment per person (no duplicate appointment allowed by the system).
How do I get VFS appointment slots? ›If you wish to schedule an appointment via email, you can do so by using the web form. Please note: VFS Global will only collect your Personal Information for the sole purpose of scheduling an appointment.
Can a US citizen walk into a U.S. consulate? ›Question: Do I have to make an appointment? Yes, all non-emergency services require an appointment.
What to expect at Italian consulate appointment? ›The interview is about to start and the first thing the Consular officer will want to see is your valid Government Photo ID, US passport and proof of residence (normally a utility bill) to make sure you reside in a State or County covered by the jurisdiction of the Italian Consulate where you are applying.
What do I need to bring to my Italian visa appointment? ›- Italian visa application form.
- Valid passport/travel document.
- Pictures.
- Civil status documents.
- Copies of previous visas.
- Travel insurance.
- Proof of travel.
- Proof of accommodation.
Visa processing can take from 7 days to 90 days depending upon the type of Visa and should be planned at least three months in advance. Italy must be the first place to a visit or main destination while applying for an Italian Visa.
How do I contact the Italian consulate in Boston? ›The consulate general of Italy in Boston is located at 600 Atlantic Avenue and can be contacted by telephone on 617 722-9201 / 2 / 3 as well as by email urp.boston@esteri.it and con.boston@cert.esteri.it. The consulate general of Italy in Boston is supervised by the embassy in Washington, D.C..
How do I send an email to the Italian embassy for appointment? ›Email the code to consolare.islamabad@esteri.it to obtain your appointment at the embassy.
Can I apply for Italy visa online? ›
Once you are ready to apply, go to the Embassy of Italy website to apply for your visa online. You can also download the visa application form, complete it, print the completed form, and bring it with you to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
How do I book a visa appointment at the U.S. consulate? ›For questions regarding scheduling an appointment online, requesting an expedited appointment, or renewing your U.S. visa via courier, please call +27 87 550 2160.
How do I pay my Italian consulate? ›For Payments in Person
We can accept cash in U.S. Dollars or Euros or U.S. Postal Service money orders payable to the appropriate consular office (e.g. U.S. Embassy Rome; U.S. Consulate General Florence; etc.).
Firstly, have a look at how agents work. Agents collect user credentials to book a visa slot. As soon as the visa slots are available, they book them and book for their other clients.
Can I go to VFS without appointment for Schengen Visa? ›Walk In Without Appointment*
If you need to submit your visa application on an urgent basis, walk into our Visa Application Centre and opt for this service. VFS Global will process your visa application without a pre-booked appointment.
- Step 1: Complete the DS-160 form online! ...
- Step 2 - Find the embassy nearest to you! ...
- Step 3 - Pay the non-refundable application fee. ...
- Step 4 - Schedule your visa appointment! ...
- Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Interview. ...
- Step 6 - Pick up your passport with visa.
On the day of your appointment:
You must attend the appointment for your visa application. You cannot send someone in your place. Only applicants, caregivers and those accompanying children under 18 years are permitted to enter the Visa Application Centre.
While answering the questions asked by the consular officer, the applicant needs to answer directly with confidence and also reassure his/her ties to the native country. The applicant needs to stress his/her intentions of coming back to the native country after the completion of the trip.
Is Italy issuing tourist visas now? ›A Tourist Visa for Italy is simply a Schengen Visa with the purpose of tourism. That's because Italy is part of the Schengen Agreement which consists of 27 European countries that have established visa-free travel among them.
How much bank balance is required for Italy tourist visa? ›One person | |
---|---|
For stays from 6 to 10 days | EUR 44.93 (equivalent to INR 3,901.04)* per day |
For stays from 11 to 20 days | EUR 51.64 (equivalent to INR 4,483.63)* (fixed amount), and EUR 36.67 (equivalent to INR 3,183.87)* (additional amount per day) |
What is the best month to travel to Italy? ›
Italy's best travel months are May, June, September, and October. They're also the busiest and most expensive time to visit (with the north remaining just as busy throughout midsummer). Crowds aside, these months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.
What is the fastest way to get an Italian visa? ›The easiest and fastest way to get your Italy Tourist Visa is through Atlys. Atlys simplifies the entire Schengen Visa application process for you. With Atlys, you can apply from the comfort of your own home. The best part, you don't need to stress or concern yourself with the visa application process.
What are the documents required for Schengen Visa? ›- Valid passport. ...
- Schengen Visa application form. ...
- Photography that meets Schengen guidelines. ...
- Proof of paid Schengen visa fees. ...
- Travel Medical Insurance for your entire stay in Europe. ...
- Biometric Data. ...
- Copies of previous visas. ...
- Flight Itinerary.
The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days according to the Schengen Visa Code. Please arrange your appointment to submit your application as early as possible. You may apply up to six months before the start of the intended visit.
Can you rush an Italian visa? ›Rush Processing Time: The option for rush processing time helps you get the visa earlier than the standard processing option. Super Rush Processing Time: The easiest and fastest method which enables you to get an Italy Schengen Visa within the least amount of time.
What is the difference between Schengen visa and Italy visa? ›The key differences between Italy and Schengen visas are: Schengen visas are more suitable for applicants who intend to stay in Italy for a shorter period or for transit. The Italy visa is for a foreign citizen to stay in Italy for longer periods.
Which multiple Schengen visa is easiest? ›- Luxembourg. Luxembourg, a hidden gem in northern Europe, had the lowest rejection rate in 2021. ...
- Slovakia. ...
- Lithuania. ...
- Czech Republic. ...
- Latvia. ...
- Finland. ...
- Hungary. ...
- Estonia.
What should I know about the appointment? Appointments are made available for booking up to 90 days from current date. If message “No Slots Available” is displayed, you should try again in a few days' time. You can only book one appointment per person (no duplicate appointment allowed by the system).
How long is the wait for Schengen visa appointment? ›The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days according to the Schengen Visa Code. Please arrange your appointment to submit your application as early as possible. You may apply up to six months before the start of the intended visit.
How long does it take to book an appointment for Schengen visa? ›Book your Embassy appointment 5 or 6 months before your departure date – it is important to book your Schengen Visa appointment well in advance as the waiting period for an appointment can be up to 3-4 months, particularly during peak seasons.
How soon can I get an appointment for Schengen visa? ›
Once you have all the documents you need for your Schengen visa application, you can make an appointment. You can apply for your visa up to 6 months ahead of your trip. Apply no later than 45 days before your trip.
What if there are currently no visa appointments available? ›If there are currently no appointments available, please go back to the scheduling system at a later time. Our office typically schedules additional appointment slots on a rolling basis depending on the demand for appointments. Therefore, we recommend you check the appointment system periodically for availability.
Can I get Schengen visa in 3 days? ›You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
Which country gives longest Schengen visa? ›Example: Going to a conference in two countries
If you want to go to a one-day conference in the Netherlands and a two-day conference in France, your purpose of travel is the same for both countries. Apply for a visa for France, because you will be staying there the longest.
It usually takes around two weeks or 15 days to process a Schengen Visa from the U.S.A.. It may - however - take as long as 30 or even 60 days in exceptional circumstances.
Can I walk in for Schengen visa? ›If you need to travel urgently, miss your pre-booked appointment, or simply cannot book an appointment at your preferred date and time, the Walk-in Without Appointment service, available for select countries, allows you to submit your visa application on a day you choose.
What are the documents required for Schengen visa? ›- Valid passport. ...
- Schengen Visa application form. ...
- Photography that meets Schengen guidelines. ...
- Proof of paid Schengen visa fees. ...
- Travel Medical Insurance for your entire stay in Europe. ...
- Biometric Data. ...
- Copies of previous visas. ...
- Flight Itinerary.
It is not possible to get a London appointment for any Schengen country to get a visa, this is because companies are buying all the appointments and selling them for £250-£500 (just for the appointment before the visa fees). Meaning only rich people who require visas can go to the Schengen area.