Biometric identifiers data request: All visa applicants, both Schengen and national, shall provide their biometric identifiers (fingerprints of all ten fingers and a photograph) when applying for a Schengen visa. Applicants shall therefore appear in person when applying for a visa. This is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes. As biometric identifiers will be stored for 59 months, fingerprints shall not need to be taken again for any subsequent visa applications (except in special cases). A limited number of visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to give fingerprints: children under the age of 12 and persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the Government, together with members of their accompanying delegation and spouses, are also exempt during official visits.
Obtaining a visa does not automatically grant the right to enter the Schengen area
Visa applicants should note that simply having a visa does not automatically grant the right to enter the Schengen area. Upon arrival at the external border of the Schengen area or during other checks, visa holders may be asked to provide information about their means of subsistence, the duration of their planned stay in the Schengen area and the purpose of their journey.
It is recommended that you carry with you copies of the supporting documents submitted with your visa application (such as letters of invitation, hotel and flight reservations, or other documents proving the purpose of your journey). For more information, see Il Codice comunitario dei Visti. (Community Code on Visas)
How to correctly use a Schengen visa
A Schengen visa entitles you to travel within the Schengen area. You may only remain in the Schengen area for the number of days shown on the visa, which shall be used only within the period indicated by the term “from” … “until…” The wording “duration of stay … days” means the number of days you can spend in the Schengen area, starting from the date you enter the Schengen territory (to be calculated on the basis of entry and exit stamps). The time period indicated by the term “from”… “until…” may be longer than the “duration of stay” in order to allow for a certain degree of flexibility. However, you cannot stay in the Schengen area for more days than those indicated by the phrase “duration of stay…days”. Furthermore, you cannot stay beyond the date indicated under “until…”.
The number of entries granted may be one, two or multiples. Those who need to travel frequently to the Schengen area may apply for multiple-entry visas valid for up to 5 years. Holders of multiple-entry visas are reminded of the fact that, according to rules and regulations, they may remain in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days every 180 days.
In order to avoid overstaying and to find out how many days remain available compared to those already used, you can use (as a guide) the calculation system available on the EU Commission’s website (sito).
How to correctly use an Italian national visa
Once you arrive in Italy with an Italian national visa, you shall go to the relevant police headquarters (Questura) in the province where you intend to reside within 8 (eight) working days to apply for a residence permit. The duration of the residence permit will correspond to that indicated on the visa. The residence permit shall be renewed directly in Italy. Click here (qui) to find the relevant Questura.
Obligation to check visa details when collecting your passport
Applicants are responsible for checking the details on visas when collecting their passports in order to avoid errors that could cause problems at the border.
Details to be checked:
- personal details: first name, surname, date and place of birth shall match those on your passport;
- visa details: visa number, date of issue and validity;
- visa type: check that the visa type (e.g. for tourist, study or work purposes) is correct for the purpose of the journey;
- number of entries: if applicable, check that the number of entries allowed is correct (e.g. one or more entries).