To check up on any changes in these lists, we advise visiting the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.esteri.it/eng/5_32_183.asp? and the site of the European Union: http://europa.eu.int/abc/travel/doc/index_en.htm

In any case, even if a visa is not required, to avoid problems with the Police, always make sure that your passport is stamped with the date of entry into Italy by the Italian Border Police.

The documents normally required by the consular authorities are:

1. Passport valid for at least 3 months (for some countries it must be valid for at least 6 months) longer than that of the visa applied for
 2. Return air ticket (or return ticket for any other means of transport) or the flight booking
 3. Proof of possession of sufficient financial means for self-support during the stay in Italy, according to the parameters specified above.
 The applicant, by means of appropriate documentation (e.g. declaration of employment, cash, credit card, travellers cheques or other), will have to prove that he/she is in a socio-economic situation or work or family position that can guarantee his/her genuine interest in returning to his/her country of origin at the end of the period of validity of the visa.
 4. Confirmation of hotel booking or any other suitable accommodation.
 5. Health insurance with adequate cover and valid for all the countries of the Schengen area.

Anyone applying for a visa for purposes of study must also:
a) stipulate a medical insurance policy, valid in the event of urgent hospitalization without limits on expenses or duration with 1’”INA – Le assicurazioni d’Italia”. This insurance is fairly cheap, on 03/10/2003 it costs euro 38.73 for 6 months or 77.46 euro for 12 months and covers risk of hospitalization in the event of injuries or illnesses that necessitate emergency hospitalization, but cannot be used for out-patient or domiciliary medical examinations. For this reason it is necessary to have also medical insurance from ones own country, valid in Italy, that covers these risks.
b) show documented proof of the course to be attended (certificate of enrolment in the course).

Those applying for a visa for purrposes of tourism must also: