Do you have plans to visit Italy? Many tourists worldwide travel to Italy because of the beautiful beaches, museums, rich culture and history, and great food!
However, to travel to Italy, you will need a visa if you do not belong to a country with a visa-free agreement with Italy. If you plan to travel only for a few days and not stay long, you must get an Italian Schengen visa.
However, depending on the reason for your travel, you might want to visit Italy multiple times during a short period. Hence, if you are still determining whether Italy provides foreign nationals with multiple entry Schengen visas, this article will help you understand.
The article discusses how a multiple entry Schengen visa differs from a single entry Schengen visa and whether it is available for Italy.
What is the Difference Between Single and Multiple Entry Visas?
There are different types of visas, and single entry and multiple entry visas are two different types.
The difference between these two visas is that with the single entry Schengen visa, you will be permitted to enter Italy just once. You can easily acquire a single entry visa online. Once you have arrived in Italy with a single entry visa, you will not be allowed enter the Schengen area again with the same visa.
The single entry visa will become invalid for further use as soon as you leave the Schengen area.
However, there may be certain situations where work or other requirements will require you to travel to a country multiple times. This is where the multiple entry Schengen visa comes in handy.
The multiple entry Schengen visa allows the holder to travel to the Schengen area more than once. Unless your visa expires, you can travel to the Schengen zone as much as you want. However, the number of entries with the multiple entry Schengen visa may be limited.
What is the Italy Schengen Visa?
The Italy Schengen visa is a short stay visa that allows individuals to stay in Italy or visit other Schengen countries for a short while, usually about 90 days. The validity of the visa remains for 180 days. If you wish to stay in Italy longer, you must apply for a national visa such as an Italy tourist visa, business visa, etc. You can avail of the visa to visit for tourism, business, or visiting purposes.
Does Italy Give Multiple Entry Schengen Visas?
Yes, Italy does give multiple entry Schengen Visas. There are three types of multiple entry Schengen visas, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year multiple entry visas. The 1-year visa allows travelers to visit Italy as often as they wish; however, they should not exceed the stay for more than 90 days.
For the three-year visa, you can remain in the Schengen area for 90 days, a maximum of 180 days. Similar is the case for the five year multiple entry visa.
However, to acquire these visas, there is a certain criterion. For the 1-year multiple entry Schengen visa, you must show proof of previous visas through which you entered the Schengen countries.
Whereas, for the 3-year multiple entry visa, you have to show proof that you have utilized a multiple entry visa valid for a year before in the last two years. The 5-year multiple entry visas have a similar eligibility criterion.
What are the Requirements for the Italy Schengen Visa?
Apart from the multiple entry visa criteria, there are certain general requirements that need to be followed too.
This includes submitting the visa application form, your valid passport, passport pictures, proof of accommodation and travel tickets, a cover letter stating the nature of your visit, previous visas, if you have any, and travel health insurance considering traveling to a Schengen country.
How to Apply for the Italy Schengen Visa?
To apply for the Schengen visa, you have first to find out which type of visa you want to apply for. There are multiple types of Schengen visas. Once you have decided what you want to apply for, you must gather the required documents and apply for the visa. You can apply by visiting the Italian Embassy, Consulate, or the visa application center. Be sure to arrange an appointment first before you visit, as direct entries are usually not permitted.
However, if you do not wish to apply for the visa physically, you can apply online. VisaHQ is a site that offers visa services. With the help of this service, you can apply for a visa anywhere at any time. Once you visit this site and enter your home country and Italy as your final destination, you can see all the information about the Italy visa. This includes the types of visas, the requirements, visa fees, etc. You can then complete the Italy Schengen visa application form online and upload all the documents required for the visa. Pay the visa fee, and then you're ready to receive your visa according to the stated processing time.