General conditions governing the entrance of foreign nationals to Italy

Admission onto Italian soil through a external Schengen Area border is only permitted to aliens who:

a. seek entry at a border crossing point;

b. are in possession of a valid passport or equivalent recognised travel document permitting them to cross the border;

c. are in possession of documents substantiating the purpose and the conditions of the planned visit and have sufficient means of support, both for the period of the planned visit and to return to their country of origin (or to travel in transit to a Third State);

d. are in possession of a valid entry or transit visa;

e. have not been identified as inadmissible by the Schengen Information System (SIS);

f. are not considered to be a threat to public order, national security or the international relations of any of the Contracting Parties, under Italian law or the law of another Schengen State.

Aliens already resident in another Schengen State, and in possession of a sojourn permit, are exempt from the obligation to obtain a visa for periods of up to 3 months, on the condition that entry into Italy is not for the purpose of subordinate work, autonomous work or study/internship or study/ training;

If any one of the aforementioned conditions are not met, the alien may be denied entry by the border authorities even if in possession of a valid entry visa.