ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF ITALIAN PASSPORTS

Italian citizens resident in South Africa may request passport renewals or new  passports through the consular jurisdiction where they are resident.

If the applicant is not resident in the consular jurisdiction where the application is submitted, the granting or renewal of a passport is subject to the approval of:

1) the authority (Questura) in the municipality (Comune di residenza) in Italy, which usually takes about 15 days

2) the Italian consular authority holding jurisdiction

An Italian passport is renewable for a maximum of 5 years; every 10 years a new booklet must be issued.

Italian citizens should remember that their passports must be renewed at the date of expiration (which is written on the passport itself), with a maximum of 6 months after the date of expiration. It application for renewal is not submitted within said period of time, a new passport must be issued (which implies an higher cost). A passport can be renewed a short time before its expiration.

The cost of a renewal of an Italian passport is Italian Liras 60.000 equal to S.A. Rands 224, while a new passport costs Italian Liras 60.000+10.150 for the book, equal to S.A. Rands 262.70. The local rates may vary according to the fluctuation of the exchange rate of the Italian lira.

For the issuance or renewal of a passport, Italian citizens must personally apply to the competent Italian authority and submit the following documentation:

- the expired passport;

- three identical photographs (front view-full face), possibly colour;

- a resident permit in the country.

If the applicant has children under the age of 18, the passport can be renewed of granted only upon the consent of the other parent, even in the presence of a divorce or legal separation.

Procedures for minors.

To issue or renew a passport to a minor (under tha age of 18) or to add a child on the parents’ passport, it is necessary to have both parents’ authorizations, even if they are divorced or separated. In general, till the age of 10 the minor is registered on the passport of either or both parents. The minor after 10 can be either registered on the parents’ passport (in this case it is necessary to stick on the parents’ passport one photograph) or have an individual passport.

For minors born in South Africa, parents must submit to the consular authority a "full birth certificate" obtained by the South African Authorities, with the seal of S.A. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This seal ("Apostille") is an international method of authentication which makes a foreign document valid in Italy. The consular authority will transmit these certificates to Italy for the necessary registration.

SUGGESTIONS. prior to submit the certificates, carefully check in particular name, date and place of birth. In the event of an error, request that the issuing office make corrections before authenticating the certificate.

VISA/ENTRY GUIDE

Applicants may request visas to Italy through the consular jurisdiction where they are resident.

ITALY is a member country of the Schengen Agreement.. Any visa issued by Italy will also be valid in the following Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands.

The total duration of one stay or a succession of several stays may not exceed three months (90 days) per half-year .

Please note that duration of the visa is the time that can be spent in the Schengen Countries and it can vary from a minimum of one to a maximum of 90 days, starting from the date of first entry in the Country; validity of the visa on the other hand is the time span within which a visa can be utilized. The validity cannot exceed a period of 6 months.

Applications for visas must be lodged as follows:

- If the visa applicant intends to stay in one of the Schengen countries only, then he will have to submit his application to the consular office of that country.

- If the visa applicant wishes to stay in several of these countries, he will have to apply for a visa at the office of the country which constitutes his main destination in terms of duration of stay.

- Where the main destination cannot be determined, the first Schengen State of entry will be the one qualified to issue the visa.

REQUIREMENTS

Documents to be submitted when applying for a short stay Schengen visa: 1 to 90 days:

- Valid passport (valid for at least 10 months from departure date)

- One passport photograph (recent)

- One application form (please print and sign and ensure that this form is fully completed).

Application for visa Word 97.doc

- In order to decide which country is responsible for the issuing of the visa, an itinerary which shows the border of entry, duration of stay in each of the Schengen countries, has to be submitted.

- The applicant must prove to have sufficient funds producing one of the following: bank letter/voucher in original stating the amount changed; bank statement; traveller cheques; credit card authorizations; latest credit card statement. Proof of sufficient funds may also be requested by the border police on arrival in the Schengen area.

- In case of "pre-paid" tours, the original payment slip of the Tour Operator has to be submitted. Please also submit a photocopy of the aforementioned slip for Consular files. If the applicant is touring on his own and has arranged private accomodation, proof of hotel reservation, i.e. payment receipt or confirmation of hotel has to be submitted.

- If the applicant is in possession of a receipt or hotel confirmation, the required minimum daily amount should be R400.

- If the applicant cannot submit proof of accomodation, a minimum daily amount of R.700 will be required.

- In case applicants visiting family or friends are not able to produce any proof of sufficient financial funds, a "fidejussone bancaria" or "polizza fidejussoria", containing a declaration of liability from the person who will host the applicant, must be provided.

- A valid return ticket and a photocopy of it or a printout of the booking.

- Photocopy of proof of sufficient medical insurance submitted with the application. 

Applicants for a business visa must include in the documentation to be submitted, a letter of the local Company/Organization and an invitation letter from the Company/Organization in Italy. A business visa valid for 1 (one) year can be issued with multiple entry and a maximum 90 days stay per 6 months period.

Applications of minors have to be signed by both parents. In case of sole guardianship, the guardian has to sign and provide respective proof of sole guardianship. If applications are not signed at the Consular Office, signatures of parents have to be certified by the local Police Authorities.

If application forms are not accompanied by the required documents, they will be returned. Should the application reach this office incomplete for a second time, the issuing of the visa could be refused.

Definitely no emergency visas will be issued. No on-the-spot Schengen visa will be issued.

Transit visa application can only be accepted if visas to other countries to be visited or transited have already been obtained.

PROCESSING: three (3) full working days. Up to 14 working days in special cases. Please ensure that visa applications reach the issuing authorities at least one week before departure date.

In order to collect visaed passports, messengers must produce receipt/collection form issued by Consular offices.

Visas for a longer period than 90 days or for the purpose of taking up employment are not subject to the Schengen agreement. They are still subject to the national legislation of the country of destination. They must be applied for with the consular authorities of the country concerned.

VISA FEES