The Visa Office of the Embassy of Italy in Doha operates for Schengen visas (Italy and Estonia as main destinations) through VFS Global, which is in charge for the Italy Visa Application Centre located in Mayasaloun Street, West Bay, Gate Mall, Tower 3, 6th Floor. The only agency authorized by this Embassy to receive visa applications is VFS Global.
For more information and/or to book an appointment visit the VSF Global website.
Visa applications submitted at the VAC are turned over to the Embassy of Italy, which is responsible for visa issuance decisions. No employee of the company VFS Global has decision-making power over the issuance of a visa or the outcome of a visa application, which is also subject to national and European security checks required by law.
For any information, it is possible to submit any inquiry at the following address: doha.visti@esteri.it.
For further information on Schengen regulations and visa types, we recommend visiting the following websites:
HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA
1. WHEN YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A VISA FOR ITALY:
You can apply for a Schengen visa for Italy only if:
- Italy is the sole destination of your visit;
- or, in case the visit includes more than one Schengen country, if Italy is your main destination in terms of the length or purpose of stay;
- or, if no main destination can be determined according to points a) and b), if Italy is the external border where you intend to enter Schengen territory.
2. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT at:
A) the VFS Global
VFS Global is the company exclusively entrusted with the service of collecting visa applications for Italy. For further information and to book an appointment with VFS Global:
- visit the website of VFS Global
- contact the call-center at +97444231222 or send an e-mail to ItalyQatar@vfsglobal.com
- once you set your appointment, go to the VFS Global office situated in Mayasaloun Street, West Bay, Gate Mall, Tower 3, 6th Floor.
B) the Visa Office at the Embassy of Italy in Doha
The Embassy of Italy continues to directly handle applications for:
- visas for family members of citizens from EU Member States, European Economic Area countries and Switzerland, who need a Schengen visa;
- study visas;
- visas for family reunification;
- diplomatic and mission visas for Italy.
For these categories of visas, an appointment can be booked through e-mail doha.visti@esteri.it during public opening hours: Sunday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m.
3. BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION (VISA INFORMATION SYSTEM)
All Schengen visa applicants are required to provide their biometric data (10 fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a Schengen visa. All applicants will have to apply in person when fingerprints have to be taken for the first time. Since biometric data information are stored for 59 months, in case of following visa applications, it will not be necessary to come again in person. It is a simple and quick procedure that only takes a few minutes.
Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including minors under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.
For more information please read the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage and the website of the European Commission.
Italy does not require fingerprint capture for national visas.
4. WHO CAN APPLY
- All Qatari nationals resident in Qatar.
- All nationals of third Countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation legally residing in Qatar.
5. VISA FEES
According to the new Visa Code, the cost of a Schengen visa is 80 euros, to be paid in local currency (Qatari Rial) according to the exchange rate updated every three months. The cost of a visa for minors between the ages of six and twelve is 40 euros to be paid in local currency (Qatari Rial) according to the exchange rate updated every three months.
HOLDING A VALID VISA DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY GIVE THE RIGHT OF ENTRY TO SCHENGEN AREA
Possessing a Schengen Visa does not confer automatic right of entry in the Schengen area. Upon entering the Schengen territory, the visa holder will have to show his/her passport with a valid visa and, if required by the Border Police authorities, copy of the documentation pertaining to the aim of stay in the Schengen area. Such documentation may include: documentation concerning the purpose and the conditions of the intended stay (proof of means of subsistence, return airplane ticket, hotel reservation, invitation letters, etc.);
Failure to present the required documentation may entitle the Border Police authorities to deny entry into the Schengen territory and may lead to an administrative expulsion order by a border authority of a Member State.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IN CASE OF VISA REFUSAL
Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal. Appeals must be brought against refusal decisions directly at the T.A.R. (Regional Administrative Court) of the Lazio Region, through a lawyer acting on applicant behalf, within 60 days of the serving of the decision itself. The appeal will have to be notified, under penalty of nullity (as per art. 144 of C.P.C. and art. 11 of R.D. no. 1611 of 1933), to the relevant “Avvocatura dello Stato”.
For family reunion visas only, appeals must be addressed to the ordinary court (“Tribunale ordinario”) of the place of residence of the family member living in Italy.
HOW TO READ A SCHENGEN VISA STICKER AND CORRECTLY USE YOUR SCHENGEN VISA
“Duration of stay […] days” indicates the number of days you may stay in the Schengen area. The days should be counted from the date you enter the Schengen area (the entry stamp) to the date you exit the Schengen area (the exit stamp), i.e. both days included. The period of time between “From […] until” is usually longer than the number of days printed in the “Duration of stay”. The difference in period is meant to give you flexibility to plan your entry into and exit from the Schengen area, but your stay in the Schengen area must never exceed the exact number of days in the “Duration of stay […] days” field. No matter how many days you have stayed in the Schengen area, you must leave no later than the date printed in the “Until” field.
Schengen visas entitle to one or two or multiple entries. Travelers who often need to go to Schengen area can apply for multi-entry visas up to 5 years, but the decision on the issuance of with multiple entries is within the discretion of the Embassy, as per current regulations. In case you are a multi-entry visa holder, please remember that for intended stays on the territory of the Member States duration of stay cannot be more than 90 days in any 180-day period, which entails considering the 180-day period preceding each day of stay.
HOW TO CORRECTLY USE YOUR ITALIAN NATIONAL VISA
All Italian national visa holders, once arrived in Italy must convert their visa into a residence permit (“permesso di soggiorno”) applying within 8 working days from first entry in Italy. Applications must be submitted to relevant police authorities (“Questura”) of the Province of intended residence. Residence permit duration will be the same as indicated in the visa. Residence permits can be renovated or extended directly in Italy.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON TRANSPARENCY
All visa applicants are recommended to distrust from agencies or people claiming to know “shortcuts” and promising fast track evaluation of visa applications and/or a guaranteeing a positive outcome of the procedure.
The Embassy entertains no relation with individuals outside its premises. All decisions regarding the visa applications remains within the discretion of the Embassy (excluding the locally hired staff).
Please, report to the Embassy if anyone different from VFS Global offers any service regarding facilitations of visa applications in return of money.