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Introduction:

If you are in Saudi Arabia and want to move to Italy for work, tour, study, or residency, you are in the right place. I will guide you step by step on “how to apply for an Italy visa from Saudi Arabia.” But before that, you need to understand your visa type. This ensures you never experience any delay or visa cancellation, which may happen after selecting the wrong visa type.

 

 What Kind of Visa Do You Need?

When you are moving to Italy, It is important to understand the type of visa you need. Because Italy offers different types of visas depending on your purpose of visit.  Here is the breakdown of Italy visa types:

 

  Schengen Visa (Short-Stay Visa):

If your trip to Italy is less than 90 days, then this Visa is for you. It is most commonly used by tourists and business owners for meeting purposes. The specialty of this visa is that it allows you to visit Italy and 26 other European destinations, including Spain, Germany, and France.

Who Needs It:

  • Tourist
  • Family visits
  • Business travelers.

 

 Long-Stay Visa (National Visa or Type D Visa):

This visa is perfect for work, educational, and residency purposes. If you have a job offer from Italy, then you need to get this visa, also known as a work permit. The duration is generally 2 years, as it depends on the employment contract. For educational reasons, you will acquire a study visa. The duration will last until your education is completed. However, this can be extended later for employment motives.

Moreover, people who plan to stay permanently in Italy will need a residency visa. These people are mostly retirees and individuals purchasing property.

Who Needs It:

  • Students
  • Retirees
  • Working professionals

There is a particular case where you can travel and work as a non-Italian. This visa is a Working holiday visa. It allows you to travel across Italy and work part-time. The visa duration is 12 months. This visa is suitable for young individuals who want a mix of work and leisure at the same time.

Now take your time and decide which visa goes best with your goals. This initial clarification will save you time and later hassle.

How to Apply for an Italy Visa from Saudi Arabia

The process is straightforward, but you need to follow each step carefully. Most of the time, a visa is rejected or delayed because of the wrong steps to apply and documentation. But worry not; I will guide you on how to do the visa application process correctly and appropriately.

  1. Determine your visa type:

The first step is to figure out your visa type, which you have already done, right? Please make sure you are clear about your travel purpose and choose the visa type accordingly. If you apply for the wrong visa type, your application will be rejected by the Italian embassy.

  1. Gather Required Documents:

Regardless of your visa type, you must submit mandatory documents for the visa application. These documents will help Italian authorities verify your identity, financial stability, and the cause of your visit.

  1. Valid Passport:

Before applying for a visa, you must have a passport that is valid until your stay in Italy. Passports also come in types like 3 months or 2 to 5 years. The thing is, they should not expire during your stay in Italy.

  1. Visa Application Form:

Sign in and complete the visa application form on the VFS Global website.

  1. Passport-size Photos:

Provide 2 passport-size recent photos (with white background and no shade).

  1. Flight Reservation:

Provide proof of a round-trip flight showing your entry and exit dates. You don’t need to buy tickets; just a reservation will be good.

  1. Proof of accommodation:

It includes hotel booking or invitation letter for the host. It may be your family member, employer, or an educational institute.

  1. Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is mandatory for a Schengen visa. It must cover the latest € 30,000, which is equal to 120,000 SAR. It includes medical emergencies and repatriations (if you need to be flown back to Saudi Arabia due to serious medical issues). 

  1. Proof of Financial Means:

Bank statements or payslips from the last three months. It aims to show that you can financially support your stay in Italy. Generally, you must have €50-70 (SAR 200-280) per day of stay as a tourist.  If you don’t have this amount, take assistance from a family member who can support you.

  1. Cover Letter:

A letter from your employer or school. It must state why you are going to Italy, your travel plans and how long you plan to stay there.

Additional Documents:

For a study Visa, You need an acceptance letter from the university or school and proof of financial stability (such as scholarships or personal funds).

For Work Visa:  A valid employment contract from the Italian company must be needed.

For a Family Reunification Visa, you need Proof of your relationship with family members in Italy, such as a birth or marriage certificate.

 

Book an Appointment at the Italian Embassy:

Once you have gathered all the required documents, booking an appointment is next. In Saudi Arabia, the visa application is handled through a company called VFS Global Visa Application Centre. This company forwards the application to the Italian embassy for final processing.

How to Book an Appointment:

  1. Go to the VFS Global website.
  2. Choose your date to visit the office in Jeddah, Riyadh, or Dhahran.
  3. Prepare your documents and cross-check them to ensure they meet embassy requirements.
  4. During peak seasons like holidays and summer, appointments are generally filled. So, I recommend booking your slot a few weeks before your planned travel date.

 

Attend the appointment and Submit Your Application:

On the day of appointment, you’ll visit the embassy’s office. Make sure to bring all required documents (original and photocopied), your passport and hand over to them.

Visa fees as of 2024:

The visa fee for a short stay is SAR 330, and the cost for a long-stay visa varies. However, the average fee is SAR 480. At this stage, you will also provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos (clicked at run time), for further action.

Visa Interview:


For a work or study visa, the applicant has to pass this interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked about the purpose of the visit, financial situation, accommodation, and itinerary details. The interview is straightforward. However, you need to prepare your answers/documents before the interview.

Wait for the visa to be processed:

Now that you have submitted your documents and given the interview (if required), you only need to wait for your visa to be processed. The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 days, and for a long-stay visa, it can take anywhere between 30 and 60 days, depending on your purpose of visit. The time may exceed in peak seasons. You can track the status of your visa application via the VFS Global tracking system. Once the processing is complete, you’ll receive an email or message.

 Collect Your Passport and Visa:

Once the visa is successfully processed, you will be notified to collect it along with your passport from VFS Global Centre. If your visa has been approved, it will be attached to your passport. Double-check your details before leaving the office. If you encounter any issues, let them know so they can correct them. If your visa is denied, you’ll receive a letter explaining why, correct these issues, and reapply.

 

Final Tips for a Smooth Visa Application Process:

  • Apply 2-3 months before the intended travel date to avoid delays.
  • Double-check your details on flight booking, accommodation, and financial statements.
  • When in doubt, refer to official embassy guidelines or consult with experienced visa agents.

Visa Application Process in a Nutshell:

  • Sign up for an appointment on the VFS Global website.
  • Prepare your documents
  • Attend the appointment and hand over your papers to them.
  • You can not submit the documents online. The appointment procedure is only online, but you must visit VFS Global centers to submit documents.