SCHENGEN APPLICATION VISA PROCEDURE REMINDER    

Visa fee will be charged in VND (Vietnam Dong) cash only.
Fees are subject to slight change every quarter;
Documentation in Vietnamese language must be accompanied by  translation in English; Original invitation letters from Italy must  be sent to the Embassy by email, fax or mail.The Visa office does not accept applications with the invitation letter sent to the applicant only;
For business visas, the invitation letter from the Italian Company must be filled up on the basis of the form found in the Embassy’s web site, following the track:visas>visas to enter Italy>do you need a visa?>nationality + residence>up to 90 days>business:financial - commercial operator> confirm>travel agenda indicating scheduled business contacts or letter of invitation from an Italian company
For tourism visas, the invitation letter must be filled up on the basis of the form found in the Embassy’s web site, following the track:visas>visas to enter Italy>do you need a visa?>nationality + residence>up to 90 days>tourism > confirm> proof of available lodging in Italy: tourist vouchers, hotel booking, offer of hospitality 
Email address for Visa office is: visti.hanoi@esteri.it. Fax number is 00844 39351179;
As an alternative to submitting the applications at the Embassy in Hanoi,  the ones from Ho Chi Minh City and southern Provinces down to Ca Mau Province, may  be presented in person to the Italian Honorary Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City  ( The Manor 2 Bldg. 91, Nguyen Huu Canh – Floor 13 (12A), Unit 07 - Binh Thanh Street - Tel. & Fax 08 62586473 - email: italian.honcons@gmail.com) completed of all the required documents. The Honorary Consulate will check the application and mail it (on applicant’s expenses) to the Embassy in Hanoi.The Embassy does not accept visa applications by mail which are not presented before at the Honorary Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City;
A visa application should in principle be lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit (as this is the normal processing time) and cannot be lodged earlier than three months before the start of the intended visit. It is the applicant's responsibility to take the necessary precautions to respect the deadlines. An application lodged less than 15 calendar days before the intended departure may be accepted, but the applicant should know that the processing time may be of up to 15 calendar days. If, nevertheless the applicant insists on lodging the application he/she should know that the final decision might be taken after the intended date of departure;
The Embassy will keep the right to interview any applicants, regardless if he/she has obtained a previous Schegen Visas;
Groups of applicants of more than 5 people presenting  their visa requests through an agent (travel agency, local Company, Government Offices) must ask an appointment at the Embassy for lodging their applications.                                                                                     VISA INFORMATION                                                                                         The Embassy issues two kinds of Visa:
  • SCHENGEN VISA ( “VSU” ) which allows the holder to circulate within the whole of Schengen territory (i.e. Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) and can be issued for a maximum of 90 days. Schengen visas can be issued for the following reasons: transit, business, tourism, study, religious purpose, invitation, mission, self-employment, employment, sport competitions, medical treatment, transportation (all “C” type). The applicant has to apply at the Embassy of the Country of their main destination (according to the purpose of their journey and the length of the stay). C types visa can be also issued with a validity up to 1 year (C1), 2 years (C2), 3 years (C3) or 5 years (C5) but allowing always a maximum stay 90 days per semester. These visa are granted to those foreigners who offer the necessary guarantees and present a special interests for our Country.
 
• NATIONAL VISA (“VN”) valid only for Italy. These are the only Visa whose validity can be beyond 90 days. National visas can be issued for the following reasons: adoption, study, family reunion, accompanying relatives, religious purpose, medical treatment, self-employment, employment, job recruitment, diplomatic/assignment, mission, domicile, re-entry, working vacation (all “D” type).
Visa fee is fixed every 3 months by the Embassy’s Decree and displayed on the “Information Board” in the Visa Section of the Embassy and the Italian Honorary Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.
To apply both for “VSU” or “VN” Visa, the following documents have to be submitted personally by the applicant. A Verbal Note is also required for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The visa on diplomatic passports is free of charge.

1. TOURIST VISA ( “C” type)
1. visa application form;
2. recent passport-style photo;
3. passport or travel document valid for at least three months after visa expiry date;
4. return-trip booking or ticket or proof of available means of personal transport ;
5. proof of available lodging in Italy: tourist vouchers, hotel booking, offer of hospitality;
6. “Atto di fidejussione bancaria” (guarantee contract) covering the period of staying made through a Bank or an Insurance Company in Italy by the inviting person;
7. proof of economic means of support, as per Ministry of Interior Directive 1.3.2000http://www.esteri.it/visti/sussistenza_eng.html
8. documentation of socio-professional standing;
9. health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses
10. Any other documents supporting the Visa application.
Remarks:
Applicants, who are minors, are obliged to submit additional documents:
- Birth certificate legalized by the Consular Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs + 1 copy;
- Parental consent issued by the City Hall and legalized by the above mentioned authority

2.  BUSINESS VISA ( “C” type)
1. visa application form;
2. recent passport-style photo;
3. passport or travel document valid for at least three months after visa expiry date;
4. return-trip booking or ticket or proof of available means of personal transport;
5. local document demonstrating status as financial-commercial operator (e.g. business license, Chamber of Commerce certificate, etc.) ;
6. travel agenda indicating scheduled business contacts or letter of invitation from an Italian company, + 1 copy in Italian language (sent directly to the Embassy), listing the names of the persons traveling, the purpose and the duration of the trip as well as by whom expenses for the stay will be born;
7. Copy of the registration of the Italian inviting company;
8. proof of economic means of support as per Ministry of Interior Directive 1.3.2000;
9. health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergency hospital and repatriation expenses;
10.  Hotel reservation or proof of Italian hospitality;
11. Any other documents supporting the Visa application.
Remarks:
For participation to fairs in Italy, evidence of the payment of the stall has to be included as well as the evidence of the shipment of the goods to be displayed in the fair;

3. STUDY VISA ( “C” or “D” type)
1. visa application form;
2. recent passport-style photo ;
3. passport or travel document valid for at least three months after visa expiry date
4. proof of means of support in Italy of not less than €350.57 for each month of the academic year This availability can be proven through:
• proof of personal or family resources;
• guarantee of financial recourses by accredited Italian institutions or agencies, local governments, or foreign institutions or agencies considered trustworthy by the Italian Diplomatic Representation;
5. declaration of the availability in Italy of appropriate lodgings;
6. Enrollment or admission of the applicant by recognized Italian school or University or Institution, stating the duration of the study course;
7. Receipt of payment of tuition fee;
8. Medical Insurance
9. School Degree legalized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
10. Any other documents supporting the Visa application.