VISA FEE: CFA F 60,000 (applicants over 13 years old) / CFA F 30,000 (ages 7–12) / FREE (ages 0–6)
The tourist visa allows foreign nationals to enter Italy for a short stay for the purpose of vacation, discovering Italy’s cultural heritage, visiting friends or relatives, or engaging in recreational activities without any work‑related purpose.
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:
- Round‑trip travel ticket (or booking);
- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, rental contract, declaration of hospitality, or declaration of assumption of accommodation costs by the host);
- If visiting family or friends, an invitation letter must also be provided, together with documentation proving the family or marital relationship, accompanied by a copy of the host’s identity document and—where applicable—their residence permit;
- 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. For this purpose, bank statements and payslips for the previous 6 months must be submitted. If multiple bank accounts are held, the account on which the salary is paid must also be included;
- Appropriate documentation regarding the applicant’s socio‑professional situation, demonstrating strong ties to the country of origin (e.g., employment contract and social security registration, accompanied by a letter from the employer on company letterhead confirming that the applicant is regularly employed, has been granted leave for the travel period, and is expected to return for employed applicants; business registration, previous year’s tax return and other fiscal documents proving stable economic activity for self‑employed applicants; school or university enrolment certificate for students; long‑term rental contract and property or land ownership documents; marriage certificate or children’s birth certificates, etc.).
PLEASE NOTE: A detailed itinerary and explanation of the purpose of the trip 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 in Italy; the hotel reservation must be valid and confirmed; the planned activities in Italy must be described in detail.