Visa types and requirements
ℹ Visit our website for general information on Visas.
For more information: ➡ visti.shanghai@esteri.it
Entering Italy
In order to apply for a visa at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai Chinese citizens must book and present their request at one of the following Italy Visa Application Centers (IVAC).
We suggest to apply reasonably in advance (at least three weeks) of your departure date.
➡ Visit the ITALY VISA APPLICATION CENTER WEBSITE to book.
Italy Visa Application Centers in Eastern China
3F, Jiushi Commercial Building, No. 213, Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200002
Business Hours: 9:00-15:00 (Monday – Friday)
Submission and Passport Retrieval Time: 9:00-15:00 (Monday – Friday)
Tel: +86 020-28292276 (8:00 to 17:00, Monday – Friday)
Email: info.italychina@vfshelpline.com
12/F, Building 5, Wings City, No. 128 Hongtai Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China 310020
Business Hours: 9:00 to 15:00 (Monday – Wednesday – Friday)
Submission and Passport Retrieval Time: 9:00 to 15:00 (Monday – Wednesday – Friday)
Tel: +86 020-28292276 (8:00 to 17:00, Monday – Friday)
Email: info.italychina@vfshelpline.com
15/F, Jinchen Insights, 88-1 Yurun Avenue, Jianye District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PRC
Business Hours: 9:00-15:00 (Monday – Wednesday – Friday)
Submissions and Passport Retrieval Time: 9:00-15:00 (Monday – Wednesday – Friday)
Tel: +86 020-28292276 (8:00 to 17:00, Monday – Friday)
Email: infonkg.italycn@vfsglobal.com
Requests from Non-Chinese Individuals
Citizens of other nationalities who want to apply for a VISA must have been residents of this Consular jurisdiction (Municipality of Shanghai, Provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang) for at least six months.
Requests to the Visa Office and fast track
Visa requests can be also forwarded to the Consulate General Visa Office. Please write to: visti.shanghai@esteri.it. Please be aware that waiting time for an appointment with the Visa Office is usually of around ten working days.
In order to support exchanges with and the promotion of Italian companies, the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai has opened a fast track for VISA applications for participants in trade fairs at the Italy Visa Application Center (IVAC) in Shanghai.
Forms
Please carefully read the information on the different types of visas on the dedicated website.
Use the application forms attached to this page and the other documents available on the IVAC website according to the instructions received.
The Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai reserves the right to request further documentation in addition to what is expressly indicated. The presentation of the required documentation does not necessarily imply the issuing of the visa.
Rights and duties of foreigners entering Italy
Please carefully read the following disclaimers about rights and duties of foreigners entering Italy:
Tourist Groups
Chinese citizens who intend to travel to Europe joining tourist groups that follow 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 the “China National Tourism Association” (CNTA) and accredited in one of the Schengen Member States’ Visa sections can submit ADS visa applications.
For general information concerning the ADS agreement between the EU and China, we suggest to visit the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) website, also containing the updated list of Italian tourist operators now accredited.
Holders of Passports for Public Affairs
According to Chinese law, Chinese citizens holding Diplomatic, Service and Public Affairs passports (marked with the letters D,S or P), can apply for an Italian visa only through the Chinese Foreign Affairs Office.
Only after the approval of missions abroad, the above mentioned Foreign Affairs Offices will directly deliver applications and passports to the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai.
Chinese Foreign Affairs Offices are constantly updated on visa application requirements and will provide all the necessary assistance to submit applications.
Any information concerning already submitted visa applications can be requested directly to the Offices who first forwarded the visa application. Passports shall be returned to and be collected at the same Offices.
Pre-departure notice
We would like to remind you that some bureaucratic fulfillments are required of foreigners upon entering Italy. Please refer to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for more information on how to fulfill such requirements for each visa category.
Pursuant to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation or GDPR) with effect since May 25, 2016, the subjects who process personal data, owners and managers, are required to inform users in advance on the envisaged treatments, in compliance with the principles of lawfulness, correctness and transparency. Please refer to the attached information notes for further information (ITA and CHN – ENG).
IVAC is a service provider run by a private company, authorized to receive visa applications. The evaluation of and final decision on such applications is sole prerogative of the Visa Office of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai.