How to get a Italy visa from Ethiopia

• The Italian tourist visa is granted to foreign nationals who intend to visit Italy for tourism, sightseeing, visiting family and other leisure activities.
• To begin the process of obtaining the Italian tourist visa, you are expected to fill accurately and completely the visa application form.
• Two recent passport-size photographs (size 3.5x4.5cm), taken with a white background, should be sent with your filled application form.
• Your Ethiopian passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiry of your visa.
• You must prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence for the entire duration of your stay in Italy [that means comfortably spending at least €122 ($135)] by sending copies of your bank account statements from the last six months.
• If you are visiting a relative or a friend residing in Italy, you must submit a letter of invitation from them.
• You must also provide proof of confirmed valid travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, to cover any emergency medical treatment.
• You are required to submit proof that you have secured a hotel or private accommodation for the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
• You are required to provide a copy of your roundtrip flight ticket as proof that you intend to return to your country of origin once your visa expires.
• Self-employed applicants should provide a copy of their business license, the company's bank statement of the latest six months and an Income Tax Return.
• Your biometric data will be collected at the point of submission of your visa application form. Thus, you should submit your application form in person.
• While this visa allows you to enter Italy and other countries in the Schengen Area, it does not permit you to work in these countries.
• You should submit documents showing your social and professional status such as a letter of employment signed by both you and your employer.
• You are advised to check that all necessary documents and copies are sent along with your completed visa application form as any missing document could delay the processing of your visa application.

• The Italian business visa is issued to foreign citizens who intend to travel to Italy for the purpose of engaging in business activities.
• This visa permits a stay of no longer than 90 days within a 180-day period.
• You need to fill the visa application form accurately and completely then sign it before submitting. Failure to do this can delay the processing of your visa application.
• Your Ethiopian passport must have at least two blank pages and a validity of not less than three months beyond the date you intend to leave Italy.
• Two recently taken passport-size photographs, taken with a white background and showing your whole face, is required for your visa application.
• You are required to have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 to cover for any medical emergencies for the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
• You must prove that you are financially able to fund the entire duration of your trip and to also live comfortably on at least €122 per day while in Italy, by providing your most recent bank account statements.
• Documents proving the legitimacy of your company, such as an operating licence and company registration certificate, should be submitted.
• As proof that you intend to return to your country of origin once your visa expires, you are required to provide proof of a roundtrip ticket. You are thus advised to book your flight to Italy before you begin your application process.
• You must provide proof of hotel accommodation in Italy for the entire duration of your stay in the country.
• If you are employed, you must provide proof of this in the form of an employment contract, leave letter, your current bank account statement of the latest six months and an Income Tax Return.
• A letter of invitation from the partner company in Italy stating the purpose of your travel to Italy and how long you will be in the country. The letter must also include the contact details of the partner company.

• Ethiopians students who intend to travel to Italy to study can apply for the Italian student visa.
• Before applying for the Italian student visa, you must have been offered admission to study in an Italian university as you have to present a document showing enrollment or pre-enrollment in a university course.
• You must complete and sign the visa application form.
• You must show that you have secured accommodation in Italy.
• You are also required to prove that you have financial means (at least €448 per month for the academic year) for the entire duration of your stay in Italy by providing most recent copies of your bank statement.
• You are required to have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 to cover for any medical emergencies for the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
• Proof of adequate knowledge of Italian or English according to the language of the program must be provided.
• Minors travelling to Italy to study must provide a signed letter of consent from their parents or guardians permitting them to travel to Italy.
• You will have to apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arriving in Italy in the city where you will be living.
• You can apply for a residence permit at the post office of your city of residence.
• The following documents are needed for an Italian student residence permit application:
• Your passport having a validity of at least six months and a photocopy of the personal data page.
• Completed residence permit application form, which can be obtained from the office you want to apply for the permit.
• Photocopy of your passport stamp showing your entry into Italy.
• Acceptance letter from the school confirming your course of study.
• The student residence permit entitles you to work either part-time or in a temporary position for up to 20 hours per week and full-time on holidays.

• Ethiopians who plan to travel to Italy to work as employees should apply for the Italian work visa.
• Before you apply for the Italian work visa, you must have secured employment in Italy. This is because your employer will complete most of the application process for you to get a visa.
• Once you have secured employment, your employer will submit an application for nulla osta authorisation from the Immigration office.
• To complete the application for nulla osta, you will have to provide your employer with certain information. Contact your employer to know what documents will be needed.
• Once the nulla osta application is accepted and approved, all the documents your employer completed will be electronically sent to your local Italian consulate.
• The consulate will issue you a work visa within 30 days.

Italian is Italy’s official language although every region has a distinct native Romance language. You might find Italians who understand English, Spanish or French in big cities but when travelling to remote areas it will be helpful if you have a phrasebook if you cannot speak Italian.