Experience the beauty of Italy
If you want a taste of rich art, culture, and literature from several different periods of time, Italy is a must-see country for you.
Being one of the cradles of European culture and people, such as the Etruscans and Romans, it’s no wonder Italy is honored to be the only country which has the biggest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.
It’s not that hard to visit the country of Italy, where Venice “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man,” according to the New York Times, is located.
Under Italian law, every foreigner desiring to visit the country must present valid proof of the reason of their visit to the country, as well as their planned length of stay.
The application for the issuance of a tourist visa must be filed at the Italian diplomatic and consular office representing the country of the applicant, together with all the other requirements and supporting documents required under the law.
Member of Schengen States
Since Italy is a member-country of the Schengen States, if the Italian tourist visa holder decides to enter the jurisdiction of another country who is likewise a member of the said Schengen States, he will not be required to secure a separate visa in order to enter that country anymore.
The following countries comprise the Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Estonia, Lettonia, Lituania, Polonia, Repubblica Ceca, Slovacchia, Ungheria , Malta and Switzerland.
Thus, if the Italian tourist Visa holder decides to go to Switzerland to see the sights, he shall not be required to secure a separate visa in order to be allowed entry in Switzerland. He can freely enter and exit every country which are members of the Schengen States.
Required documents
The applicant must also show evidence that he can survive financially, during the course of his trip, without ever asking for financial assistance from the funds of the government.
The following are the required documents which must be submitted with the application for the Italian tourist visa:
1.Application form – fully accomplished
2.One passport sized photo with white background
3.Valid passport which must be valid within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance of the visa
4.Travel itinerary (Manila Visa explains this is merely optional but highly recommended)
5.Proof of social and professional status
6.Proof of adequate financial guarantees
Examples: salary slips for the last three months, or status of bank accounts for the past six months, or credit card copy with statement of credit limit, bank guarantee from sponsor in Italy
7.Confirmed hotel booking or sponsorship letter
8.Return flight reservation
9.Overseas medical insurance with a coverage of 30,000 euros
The applicant should be reminded that possession of a valid visa does not confer to the latter the automatic right to enter Italy since border authorities are fully authorized to use their own discretion in determining and resolving the issues involved in these cases.
Thus, if an immigration official establishes that the applicant does not have the financial capacity to sustain his stay in the country, or the adequate accommodation while he is in the country, then the former has the power not to allow the applicant to enter Italy.
