Italy, a captivating destination for travelers from Sri Lanka and the Maldives, beckons with its rich history, artistic treasures, and scenic beauty. Whether you are a first-time explorer or a seasoned traveler within the Schengen area, Italy offers an enchanting experience. The eternal city of Rome invites you to explore its ancient wonders, while Florence captivates you with its Renaissance art and architecture. Venice, with its romantic canals and the picturesque Amalfi Coast, is also a must-visit gem. To embark on this Italian journey, discover the step-by-step process of applying for an Italy Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and the Maldives in this detailed guide. The comprehensive information covers the visa application process, appointment scheduling, processing times, Schengen travel insurance requirements, and specific steps for citizens of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Plan your visit to Italy to savor its delectable cuisine, immerse yourself in its cultural heritage, and create unforgettable memories amidst its breathtaking landscapes. Italy, renowned for its lively and enthusiastic lifestyle, welcomes visitors to embrace “la dolce vita” (the sweet life) and become engrossed in the enduring allure of this magnificent destination.
Moreover, if you have a SriLankan passport or living in Maldives and looking to apply for other than an Italian visa like a German visa, or if you belong to another country like Thailand, China, Morroco, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudia Arabia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Turkey, and the UK and wish to apply Italian Schengen visa from your homeland then you may consider the attached links.
Visitors who applied for Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
In 2022, about 1,245 Sri Lankans applied for Italy Schengen Visas, and 6,772 tourists from Maldives visited Italy in 2018.
| Years | Schengen State | Country | Consulate | Number of Visa Applications | Visas Issued | Visas Denied | Not issued rate for uniform visas |
| 2018 | Italy | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 5,859 | 4,476 | 1,381 | 23.57% |
| 2019 | Italy | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 6,091 | 4,846 | 1,245 | 20.44% |
| 2020 | Italy | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 739 | 230 | 509 | 68.88% |
Applying for an Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
Travelers holding Sri Lankan or Maldivian passports and planning a trip to Italy for tourism or business purposes must obtain an Italian Schengen Visa. The application process involves applying at the Embassy of the Schengen nation, where the intended stay is most extended, typically the Italian Embassy Consulate. The Schengen Visa allows holders to stay in the Schengen region for up to 90 days within 180 days, provided the Visa remains valid.
For Sri Lankan passport holders seeking an Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka, the application can be submitted at VFS Italian Visa Application Centers in Colombo. Meanwhile, Maldivian citizens can apply at the VFS Italian Visa Application Center in Malé. The VFS Italian Visa Application Center, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensures a smooth and efficient Visa application process. Whether the purpose of travel is leisure, business, or education, the center’s friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to assist applicants at every stage.
Types of Italian Schengen Visas offered at The Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Short Stay Visa:
- Tourism – Visa for tourism or visiting someone.
- Business – Visa for business purposes
- Employment – Visa for applicants who require a work permit
- Religious – Visa for individuals who will temporarily be full-time religious workers
- Package Tour – Tour operators
- Seaman – An seaman entering Italy for work, transiting with the current vessel, or joining another ship en route through Italy
- Transit – This type of Visa applies to individuals transiting through Italy to a non-Schengen country.
- Study Visa – General / Research – For individuals who wish to research or study for up to 90 days in Italy
- Sports Visa – Visa category for sportsman or a judge participating in any sports event
- Invitation – Visa for applicants who are being invited by an official organization with a travel period of 90 days
- Medical – For treatment within 90 days
- EU Citizens Visa – For applicants who fall into one of the following categories: spouse, parent, child, father-in-law, or mother-in-law of Italian or EU Citizens and will be traveling within 90 days to Italy along with a confirmed return ticket.
Long Stay Visa:
Individuals who wish to stay for more than three months must apply for a resident permit. The Visa covers the following categories:
- Employment
- Study Visa – General / Research
- Religious Purpose
- Family Reunion Visa
- Re-Entry Visa
- Lavoro Autonomo – Spettacolo _Artists / Dancers / Entertainers
- Lavoro Autonomo – Holders of work contracts/consultancy
- Lavoro Autonomo – Independent work / Independent Professional
- EU Citizens Visa
Steps to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
The Schengen Visa can be applied for by Sri Lankan and Maldives citizens on the VFS Global website as they are the official partners of the Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The steps to follow when applying for Visa are as follows:
Step 1 – Identification of the required Visa Type
Step 2 – Starting Visa application
Step 3 – Booking an appointment
Step 4 – Payment of Fees
Step 5 – Visa application submission
Step 6 – Application tracking
Step 7 – Passport Collection
Step 1 – Identification of the required Visa Type
The necessary visa type is determined before proceeding, and eligibility is confirmed. Following the type selection, you must note the required application fee, the documents that must be submitted, and the completed application. The preparation and presentation of a translation are required for any document whose original language is not English.
Step 2 – Starting Visa application
Download the application, duly complete it, and print it before submitting it along with the necessary documents at the VFS Visa Application Centre when you are prepared to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa.
Step 3 – Booking an appointment
Select a Visa Application Center and an appointment is scheduled. The biometric information, including photographs and fingerprints, will be submitted at the designated Visa Application Centre during the scheduled appointment. An appointment per applicant has to be booked for the Italian Schengen Visa. The appointment is confirmed through an email along with the letter of appointment.
Step 4 – Payment of Fees
The applicant will pay the fee for an online visa application during the online application procedure. When the document is physically submitted at the application center, payment may be made concurrently with the application submission.
- General Schengen Visa Fees for Tourist/Business/Religious/Seaman (1-90 days) = 28,000LKR
- Fees for Transit (type A/B) = 28,000LKR
- Fees for Family Reunion = 40,600LKR
- Fees for Re-entry = 40,600LKR
- Fees for a Long Stay in Italy (Religious) = 40,600LKR
- Fees for Employment Visa = 40,600LKR
- Fees for Minors below 6 years of age (short stay) = 0
- Fees for Minors from 6 to 12 years (short stay) = 14,000LKR
- Fees for Student Long Term = 17,500LKR
- Fees for EU Citizens visa = 28000LKR
Step 5 – Visa application submission
Visa application centers require the physical submission of the completed application form. The application form for applicants under the age of 16 requires the valid signatures of both parents.
Step 6 – Application tracking
The online tracking of the progress of the Italian Schengen Visa application is possible by utilizing the reference number printed on the invoice or receipt issued by the Visa application center.
Step 7 – Passport Collection
Visa applicants can either retrieve their documents from the Visa Application Centre or arrange for a courier return of said documents for an additional fee, depending upon the outcome of their visa application. When retrieving your documents in person, you must present a form of government identification and the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre. Authorization to have a representative retrieve your documents may be granted upon presentation of government identification, a letter of authorization bearing your signature, and the Visa Application Center-issued receipt.
Required Documents for Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
Sri Lankan and Maldives citizens require a set of documents to apply for an Italian Schengen Visa. The documents required are:
- Application Form duly filled and signed per applicant. At the time of submission, only A3-sized application forms will be accepted; A4-sized forms will not be accepted. At VFS, A3-sized formats are available.
- Two recent passport-size photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm, white background, photographed within the last six months)
- Fee receipt or payment proof
- Current passport (with at least three months validity and two blank pages) and (if any) previous passports
- A letter of consent from both parents or custodians, accompanied by a birth certificate and copies of the parent’s passports or the District Court appointment decree, is mandatory for a child visa.
- Travel health insurance covers emergency medical services, hospital care, and medical repatriation for the trip and all Schengen states.
- Travel ticket itinerary (arrival and departure flight information and – if applicable – surface travel dates to other Schengen countries)
- Proof of financial status
- Proof of invitation if the financing party is from Italian, along with a copy of the sponsor’s passport/ID card
- If the inviting party is non-financial, an informal invitation letter is required, along with proof of funds.
- In case of no inviting party, hotel stay reservation proof is required
- Proof of Employment in Sri Lanka or Maldives
- If the individual is self-employed, business registration and the company’s bank statements for the last three months are required.
- Students must submit a letter from the school/university confirming permitted leave.
- Evidence of one’s financial situation in Sri Lanka, consisting of three months’ worth of personal or family bank statements from a financial institution recognized by the central bank of Sri Lanka or current savings accounts accompanied by a letter from the bank confirming the balance, credit card limit letter, or similar documentation.
- Proof of family bonds such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, or death certificate of the deceased spouse; If the host is a relative of the applicant, proof of familiar relationship (birth/marriage certificates).
- Questionnaire Schengen
- Other/Voluntarily submitted documents (recommended for first-time travelers) such as property deeds, further explanatory documents, proof of will to return, etc.
- The list of requisite documents can be found under each type of selected Visa.
The documents checklist, questionnaire, and other required forms can be downloaded from the VFS Visa Application Official Website and submitted along with the application form.
Recommended Guidelines for Applying Italian Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
- It is advisable to initiate the visa application process promptly, as applications remain valid six months before the intended departure date.
- Visa decisions are generally rendered within 15 calendar days; thus, applications should be submitted at least fifteen days before the expected departure date.
- During this processing period, we request that you refrain from any inquiries regarding the status of your visa application. If additional scrutiny is required, the processing time may be prolonged to forty-five calendar days.
- Please be advised that visa applications must be submitted exclusively through the VFS Visa application centers established by Italy in Colombo or Malé/Maldives. As the authorized partner of the Italian Embassy, VFS is responsible for administering visa-related procedural obligations. The right to render decisions about applications belongs solely to the Italian Embassy.
