VISA SECTION
In order to apply for a visa at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai Chinese citizens can present Visa applications personally (or by an authorized person) at
a) one of the following Italy Visa Application Centers (IVAC):
Shanghai
3F, Jiushi Commercial Building, No. 213, Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200002
Submission Time: 8:00 to 15:00 (Monday - Friday)
Business Hour: 8:00 to 17:00 (Monday - Friday)
Passport Retrieval Time: 8:00 to 17:00 (Monday - Friday)
Call Center Time: 8:00 to 17:00 (Monday - Friday)
Tel: +86 21 28292276 (Except Public Holiday)
Email: infosha.italycn@vfshelpline.com
web: http://www.vfsglobal.cn/italy/china/
Hangzhou
Currently not in service.
Nanjing
Currently not in service.
B)
At the Visa Office of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai:
To schedule an appointment or to ask information, please write to: visti.shanghai@esteri.it.
Important notice: be aware that waiting time for an appointment at the Embassy usually is around ten working days. For all applicants not willing to wait, please be informed that you can go to the Italy Visa Application Center where no appointment is needed.
Foreign citizens who want to apply for a VISA must be residents for at least 6 months in the consular jurisdiction (Municipality of Shanghai, Provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang).
IVAC is a private service provider, authorized by the Consulate General to receive visa applications. Evaluation and judgement of visa applications is a strict competence of the Visa Sections of the Consulate General.
Alternatively, appointments and related information may also be requested at the Visa Section of the Consulate General by writing an e-mail to: visti.shanghai@esteri.it
Application forms, invitation letters, fees and check-lists for all kind of visas can be found on our "Forms" web page or Visa Application Center web site.
Information concerning general rules, visa requirements and typologies, may also be obtained by visiting the Italian Ministry of Foreing Affairs web site.
The Consulate General of Italy reserves the right to request additional documents besides the ones indicated on the chek-list. Please note that submission of the required documentation does not necessarily imply granting of visas.
It is strongly suggested to apply at IVAC with a reasonable number of days (at least three weeks) before the departure date.
Visas will be issued within five (5) working days after the interview at the Consulate General. Changes may occur due to the season and/or to the kind of visa applied for.
Please read carefully the following disclaimers about rights and duties of foreigners entering Italy:
Information and visa application status may be requested at the IVAC’s counter through e-mail (Shanghai: infosha.italycn@vfshelpline.com, Nanjing: infohgh.italycn@vfshelpline.com and Hangzhou: infonkg.italycn@vfshelpline.com) or through “Track Your Passport” a service provided online by IVAC.
A Call-Center is also operational (see above for phone numbers and operation time).
“FAQ’s” on the Web site provides the solutions about the frequently asked questions and some questions concerning the visa type.
Business Fast Track
Also through the IVAC’s service, according to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Italian Embassy and the Chamber of Commerce of Italy in China, all commercial partners and foreign staff employed by Companies Members of the Chamber of Commerce of Italy in China (CCIC) may take advantage of facilitations when applying for visas.
Same benefits are also extended to Chinese business men, thanks to a co-operation agreement with CITIC Bank China.
Tourist Groups
Chinese citizens who intends to travel to Europe joining tourist groups following pre-determined itineraries may contact local tourist agencies and apply for a ADS visa.
Please be advised that only ADS travel agencies previously authorized by “China National Tourism Association” (CNTA) and accredited in one of the Schengen Member State’ s Visa sections can submit ADS visa aplications.
General information concerning the ADS agreement between UE and China, we kindly suggest to visit the Italian National Tourist Information Bureau (ENIT) web site which also contain the updated list of the Italian tourist operators now accredited.
Holders of Passports for Public Affairs
According to Chinese laws, Chinese citizens holding Diplomatic, Service and Public Affairs passports (marked with the letters D,S or P), can apply the visa for Italy only through the competent Chinese Foreign Affairs Office.
Only after approval of missions abroad, the above mentioned Offices will deliver applications and passports to the Consulate General of Italy.
Chinese Foreign Affairs Offices are constantly updated on visa applications requirements and will provide all the necessary assistance to submit visa application.
Any information concerning already submitted visa applications can be asked to the Offices where the visa application has been deposited on first. Passports shall be returned by the Consulate General and may be collected in the same Offices.
Pre-departure notice
We would like to remind you the national legislation provides some fulfillments to be carried out by the foreign citizen as soon as he/she enters the Italian territory. Click here to know the ones belonging to each visa typology.
On the site www.interno.it you will be able to find more information regarding foreign citizens’ stay in Italy.
Complaints Book
We would appreciate very much any comments and observations on the service performed by the Visa Section of the Consulate General and by the Italy Visa Application Center, particularly we would appreciate a detailed report of any inefficiency on the procedures above mentioned, or any other suggestions.
Reports can be sent to the following electronic address:
visti.shanghai@esteri.it
or recorded by handwriting on the “Comments and Suggestions Book” available inside the waiting room of the Consulate.
Visa Section public opening hours
From Monday to Friday
From 9:00 to 12:30
And only for some visa typologies
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
From 14:30 to 16:00
Italy Visa Application Center Holidays
