VISA FEE: CFA F 60,000 (applicants over 13 years old) / CFA F 30,000 (ages 7–12) / FREE (ages 0–6)
The invitation visa allows foreign nationals to enter Italy for a short stay upon invitation from public or private bodies, institutions, or organizations of proven standing, in order to participate in political, scientific, cultural, or institutional events, meetings, or activities. This visa category is intended for official or qualified guests whose presence in Italy is linked to specific, formally recognized initiatives.
If the purpose of the stay is to carry out economic or commercial activities, a business visa must instead be requested.
Article 17 of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Legislative Decree 286/1998) also provides that the Chief of Police (Questore) may issue an authorization for entry to allow a foreign national to participate in judicial proceedings concerning them and thereby exercise their right of defence. Legal consultants or lawyers chosen by the applicant may be issued a business visa, provided that the legal conditions and requirements are met.
What documentation is required?
To obtain the visa, the applicant must submit, in addition to the duly completed and signed application form, a valid travel document and passport photos:
- Invitation letter issued by public or private bodies, institutions, or organizations of recognized standing, specifying the nature of the event, the duration of the stay, and the reasons for the invitation, and assuming—if applicable—the costs of travel and accommodation;
- Round‑trip travel ticket (or booking);
- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, declaration of hospitality, or declaration of assumption of accommodation costs by the inviting entity);
- Health insurance valid throughout the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, in accordance with Article 15 of the Visa Code (Regulation (EC) 810/2009);
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the requested period of stay, not lower than the parameters set out in “Table A” of the Directive of the Ministry of the Interior of 1 March 2000, where expenses are not covered by the inviting entity. For this purpose, bank statements and payslips for the previous 6 months must be submitted. If the applicant holds multiple bank accounts, the account on which the salary is paid must also be included.
PLEASE NOTE: A detailed travel itinerary must also be provided to demonstrate that Italy is the main or sole destination. For example, the airline ticket must include an Italian airport, or be accompanied by proof of other means of transport between the arrival airport and the final destination; the hotel reservation must be valid and confirmed.