Ambasciata D'Italia in
Uganda - Rwanda - Burundi

Cancelleria Consolare

Cittadinanza
Stato Civile
Anagrafe Consolare
Passaporto
Servizio Militare
Notariato
Legalizzazione
Assistenza Sociale
Visti di Ingresso in Italia - VISAS (Application forms:

                                               English and French)

Rinnovo della Patente di Guida

Voto Cittadini Italiani Residenti all'Estero

Cittadinanza

La materia della cittadinanza è attualmente disciplinata dalla Legge n. 91 del 05.02.1992. La cittadinanza italiana si ottiene per:

1.        Nascita

2.        matrimonio

3.        riacquisto

4.        altri casi previsti dagli art. 1-4 della Legge 91/92

Sono cittadini per nascita i figli di padre o madre cittadini (la trasmissione per via materna avviene solo per i nati successivamente alla data del 1 gennaio 1948). Sono cittadine per matrimonio le donne straniere che abbiano contratto matrimonio con un cittadino italiano prima del 27.04.1983 (data di entrata in vigore della legge 123/83). I cittadini stranieri (di sesso maschile e femminile) che abbiano contratto matrimonio con un cittadino italiano posteriomente al 27.04.1983 non acquistano automaticamente la cittadinanza italiana ma devono, per ottenerla, presentare un'istanza al competente Comune dopo almeno 6 (sei) mesi di residenza in Italia oppure, se residenti in Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi, a questa Ambasciata dopo almeno 3 (tre) anni matrimonio.

Riacquistano la cittadinanza italiana gli ex cittadini naturalizzatisi stranieri prima dell'entrata in vigore della legge 91/92 dopo almeno 1 (un) anno di residenza in Italia

I cittadini italiani residenti in Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi, sono tenuti a dare communicazione all'Ambasciata dell'avvenuto acquisto di una nuova cittadinanza entro 3 (tre) mesi dalla data di acquisto della stessa (in base alla legge 91/92 l'acquisto di una nuova cittadinanza non pregiudica il possesso della cittadinanza italiana). Con ciò si eviterà di incorrere nelle sanzioni comminate dalle Prefetture quando le Autorità italiane ne vengano a conoscenza oltre il predetto termine.

Stato Civile

Gli avvenimenti più significativi della vita dei connazionali residenti in Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi (la nascita, il matrimonio, la nascita dei figli, la morte) devono essere portati a conoscenza dell'Ambasciata per la loro successiva comunicazione in Italia.

Gli atti di stato civile Ugandesi, Rwandesi e Burundesi che i cittadini italiani sono tenuti a presentare a questa Ambasciata, perchè ne avvii la relativa trascrizione presso l'ultimo Comune di residenza in Italia sono i seguenti:

1.        atto di nascita

2.        atto di matrimonio (nel caso in cui il coniuge sia cittadino straniero è necessario presentare anche l'atto di nascita ed una copia di un documento di identità di quest'ultimo).

3.        Atto di morte.

Tali atti dovranno essere richiesti al Registro di Stato Civile dei rispettivi paesi (Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi).

Anagrafe Consolare

Le Legge n. 470 del 27 ottobre 1998 prescrive che i cittadini italiani che trasferiscano la loro residenza da un Comune italiano all'estero dichiarino tale cambiamento all'ufficio consolare nella cui circoscrizione sono emigrati, entro 90 (novanta) giorni.

I cittadini italiani che già resiedevano in Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi prima dell'entrata in vigore di detta legge dovranno provvedere (qualora non l'abbiano già fatto) ad iscriversi quanto prima all'Anagrafe informatizzata dell'ufficio consolare, compilando l'apposito modulo in distribuzione allo sportello del pubblico.

I cittadini già all'Anagrafe Consolare che invece dovessero cambiare residenza o abitazione dovranno dichiarare tale cambiamento all'ufficio consolare nella cui circoscrizione si trova la nuova residenza o la nuova abitazione entro 90 (novanta) giorni dalla data del cambiamento stesso.

L'iscrizione all'Anagrafe Consolare è gratuita. I dati raccolti vengono trasferiti in Italia per l'iscrizione all'AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) che è - tra l'altro - indispensabile per l'emissione del certificato elettorale da parte del Comune di ultima residenza in Italia.

L'iscrizione all'Anagrafe Consolare ed il costante aggiornamento dei dati in possesso dell'Ambasciata (inclusi i dati relativi ai cambiamenti di stato civile) agevola il rilascio dei documenti di emanazione consolare, compreso il passaporto.

Passaporto

Il passaporto viene rilasciato ai cittadini italiani che ne facciano richiesta. Ha una validità di 10 (dieci) anni. Alla scadenza è necessario richiedere un nuovo passaporto.

Procedura per il rilascio o rinnovo del passaporto:

1.        Compilare il modulo di richiesta e firmarlo dinanzi al funzionario consolare.

2.        Consegnare il passaporto scaduto.

3.        Presentare 2 (due) fotografie formato tessera.

4.        Pagare i diritti consolari.

5.        Nel caso in cui si abbiano figli minori, occore l'assenso dell'altro genitore. I cittadini italiani maggiorenni di sesso maschile devono aver regolarizzato la propria posizione militare.

Nel caso in cui il passaporto non sia stato rilasciato dall'Ambasciata d'Italia a Kampala, per poter effettuare il rinnovo quest'ultima dovrà richiedere all'Autorità competente per residenza (Questura, Ambasciata o Consolato) il prescritto nulla osta. Tale procedura richiede normalmente 15 giorni.

In caso di smarrimento o furto del passaporto, è necessario:

1.        Effettuare la denuncia di smarrimento o furto presso le Autorità di polizia locali.

2.        Effettuare la denuncia presso l'Ambasciata.

3.        Seguire la procedura sopra indicata per il rilascio di un nuovo passaporto.

Servizio Militare

In Italia la prestazione del servizio militare è obbligatoria per i cittadini di sesso maschile in possesso dei requisiti di idoneità previsti dalla normativa vigente.

I cittadini italiani residenti all'estero (sia quelli nati all'estero sia quelli nati in Italia espatriati prima del 1 gennaio dell'anno in cui compiono il 18esimo, anno di età), presentandosi in Ambasciata, possono chiedere la dispensa o l'esonero dalla prestazione del servizio militare attraverso la procedura dell'arruolamento all'estero. Tale arruolamento da diritto ad ottenere il congedo illimitato dopo il compimento del 26esimo anno di età.

Durante l'anno del compimento del 18esimo anno di età, i cittadini italiani di sesso maschile residenti in Uganda, Rwanda e Burundi sono comunque tenuti a regolarizzare la propria posizione militare in Ambasciata al fine di evitare di incorrere in situazioni coscrizionali irregolari, alcune delle quali configurabili come veri e propri reati, come renitenza alla leva e la mancanta chiamata alle armi. Si rammenta che la mancata regolarizzazione della propria posizione è una delle cause ostative al rilascio del passaporto.

Coloro che sono stati arruolati e dispensati perché residenti all'estero e che intendono rientrare temporaneamente in Italia, dovranno notificarlo previamente all'Ambasciata, affinché venga loro rilasciato un permesso di rientro temporaneo.

Coloro i quali rientrino invece definitivamente in Italia prima del compimento del 26esimo anno di età dovranno assolvere gli obblighi di leva.

Notariato

L'Ufficio Consolare esercita all'estero le funzioni spettanti ai notai in Italia.

Gli atti notarili più richiesti all'Ufficio Consolare sono i mandati di delega (procure) e le autenticazioni di firma.

Per chiedere il rilascio di una procura, l'interessato dovrà fornire le proprie generalità complete (indicando, il numero di Codice Fiscale) oltre a quelle del procuratore. Dovrà inoltre indicare l'oggetto della procura stessa nonché descrivere particolareggiatamente la situazione per cui è richiesto l'intervento del procuratore in Italia (nel caso della compravendita di immobili, dovranno essere specificati i dati catastali di questi ultimi).

Per le autenticazioni di firma sarà sufficiente recarsi in Ambasciata muniti dell'atto da sottoscrivere ed un valido documento di identità.

Tra gli atti per i quali è possibile ottenere il servizio di notariato figurano anche:

1.        Gli atti di notorietà.

2.        Le copie conformi.

3.        I certificati di esistenza in vita.

4.        Le dichiarazioni di rinunzia o di accentazione di eredità.

Legalizzazione di Atti

L'Ambasciata legalizza, ai fini della loro validità in Italia, gli atti rilasciati o autenticati dalle Autorità locali.

Le legalizzazioni più diffuse sono quelle degli atti di stato civile, degli atti notarili, delle sentenze, dei titoli di studio.
Per la loro legalizzazione, gli atti di stato civile, gli atti notarili e le sentenza emesse dai Tribunali locali devono essere previamente legalizzati dal "Ministry of Justice o dal Ministry of Foreign Affairs", quindi tradotti, e successivamente presentati all'Ambasciata.

Assistenza Sociale

La forma di intervento più ricorrente in tale settore consiste nell'erogazione di sussidi

Per poter avanzare domanda di sussidio è necessario:

1.        Essere in possesso della cittadinanza italiana.

2.        Essere residente nella circoscrizione di competanza di Kampala.

3.        Versare in reali condizioni di bisogno (l'ufficio consolare provvederà ad effettuare le opportune verifiche).

L'importo massimo erogabile ai connazionali indigenti è fissato dal Ministero degli Afari Esteri italiano e non può essere superato per alcun motivo.

Un'ulteriore tipologia di intervento consolare consiste nell'erogazione di un prestito con promessa di restituzione. Quest'ultimo viene accordato a connazionali non residenti che non siano in grado di far fronte ad eventuali inconvenienti che occorrano durante il loro soggiorno (quali, ad esempio, lo smarrimento o il furto di denaro e documenti).
Tali prestiti non possono superare i massimali stabiliti dalle disposizioni ministeriali e devono essere restituiti all'Erario.

Visti di Ingresso in Italia

THE VISA SYSTEM AND THE ENTRY OF ALIENS
INTO ITALY AND THE SCHENGEN AREA

- Visa application forms for downloading: go to end of page -

INTRODUCTION

CONDITIONS FOR THE ENTRY OF ALIENS INTO ITALY

A.    BORDER CROSSING POINTS

B.    PASSPORTS AND EQUIVALENT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

C.    AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL MEANS

D.    VISAS

E.     INTERDEPARTMENTAL DECREE ON ENTRY VISAS OF 12.7.2000 (OFFICIAL GAZETTE No. 178 of 1.8.2000)

F.     MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS DIRECTIVE OF 1.3.2000: "DEFINITION OF 'MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE' FOR THE PURPOSE ENTRY AND STAY IN ITALIAN TERRITORY BY ALIENS" (OFFICIAL GAZETTE No. 64 of 17.3.2000)

INTRODUCTION

The entry into force of the Schengen system in Italy on 26 October 1997 was the positive outcome of a process of harmonizing the Italian system for issuing visas and admitting aliens with the new uniform legislation adopted by most European states, based on the gradual establishment of a wide area of free movement by removing the "internal" borders and strengthening controls on the "external" borders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the "Inter-Departmental Decree on visas" pursuant to article 5(c)(3) of Presidential Decree 394/1999. This decree, dated 12.7.2000 and published in Official Gazette No 178 of 1.8.2000 (see paragraph E below) completed the national corpus of legislative sources governing this subject matter, comprising:

- Consolidated Act of Provisions Governing Immigration and the Position of Aliens - Legislative Decree No 286 of 25.7.1998 (Official Gazette No 191 of 18.8.1998);

- Regulation implementing the Consolidated Act - Decree of the President of the Republic No 394 31.8.1999 (Official Gazette No 258 of 3.11.1999);

- Ministry of Home Affairs Directive of 1.3.2000) "Establishing the means of subsistence for the admission and stay of aliens on Italian territory" (Official Gazette No 64 of 17.3.2000).

The sources of law within the Schengen system are:

- the Schengen Agreement of 14.6.1985 between Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands;

- the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement of 19.6.1990;

- Italian Accession Agreements, done in Paris on 27.11.1990;

- Ratification and Implementation Act, Law No. 388 of 30.9.1993 (Official Gazette No 232 of 2.10.1993);

- Common Consular Instruction (C.C.I.) adopted by the Schengen Executive Committee in Paris on 14.12.1993 and amended most recently on 16.12.1998.

CONDITIONS FOR THE ENTRY OF ALIENS INTO ITALY

Under article 5 of the Schengen Convention, aliens wishing to enter Italy from outside the Schengen area² must:

·         a) enter through a border crossing point³;

·         b) hold a valid passport or equivalent travel document recognized by the Italian government to cross the border (this document must enable the holder to return to the country of issue at any time). NB. Under exceptional circumstances the Italian diplomatic mission may issue the alien with a "laissez-passer" valid only for Italy;

·         c) be in possession of documents justifying the purpose and conditions of the intended stay and that they have sufficient means of subsistence, consistent with the type and period of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third State (this is not required in the case of aliens who are already resident in one of the contracting parties and are holders of a valid residence permit);

·         d) ) be in possession, where required, of a valid entry or transit visa (NB: for stays not exceeding three months, an alien resident in the Schengen country and in possession of a valid residence permit does not require a visa; for Italy, this exemption is not applied if entry is for "paid employment", "self-employment" for "on-the-job training");

·         e) not be persons for whom an alert has been issued for the purposes of refusing entry;

·         f) not be considered to be a threat to public order, national security or the international relations of any of the Contracting Parties under Italian legislation or that of any other Schengen State (ascertaining the absence of any risk of illegal immigration is the direct responsibility of the Diplomatic Authorities).

If any one of the aforementioned conditions are not met, the alien may be denied entry by the border authorities even if in possession of a valid entry or transit visa.

¹ " Non-Aliens" are nationals of the 18 countries belonging to the "European Economic Area" (EEA), which includes the 15 member states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain and Sweden) and the 3 countries equated with them (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

"Aliens" are nationals of all third States.

² The "Schengen Area" comprises the national territories of the 15 countries that already enforce the Convention (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).

³ The "External border" is the external perimeter of the Schengen area through which aliens may enter, and means the Contracting Parties' land and sea borders and their airports and sea ports, provided that they are not internal borders;(any flight exclusively to or from the territories of third States is considered an "external" flight).

A) BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Nationals of one of the Contracting Parties and/or aliens coming from any place situated within the Schengen area may therefore cross any point along the Italian internal borders⁴ without being subjected to personal checks.

When non-aliens enter Italian territory from outside the Schengen area only their nationality will be checked; aliens, conversely, shall be subject to all the entry checks by the border authorities before being given entry to Italy, which may include consultation with the SIS (Schengen Information System).

⁴ "Internal borders": This means the borders that the above-mentioned 10 countries have in common with the Schengen area, namely, the common land borders of the Contracting Parties, their airports for internal flights and their sea ports for regular ferry connections exclusively from or to other ports within the territories of the Contracting Parties and not calling at any ports outside those territories. (An "internal flight is any flight exclusively to or from the territories of the Contracting Parties and not landing in the territory of a third State).

B) PASSPORTS AND EQUIVALENT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

To enter, stay in or transit through the whole of the Schengen area, aliens must be in possession of a passport or another travel document recognized as valid for the purposes of crossing the borders by all the Contracting Parties (in the case of Italy, the travel document must therefore be recognized as valid at least by the Italian government).

- 1) Passport

This is the internationally recognized document entitling the holder to travel from one country to another. It may be a diplomatic passport, a service (or official or special or public affairs) passport, or an ordinary passport; it may be personal (which may also include the spouse and/or the children) or a group passport (for groups of not less than five and not more than 50 people, all having the same nationality, and all travelling together and for the same purpose, normally as tourists; if it does not contain the photographs of all the travellers, each member of the group must also hold a personal identity document complete with photograph).

- 2) Travel document equivalent to a passport:

A travel document for stateless persons, governed by the "Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons" signed in New York on 28.9.1954: this document requires a visa unless the holder already holds a residence permit to stay in one of the Schengen countries.

A travel document for refugees, governed by the "Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees", signed in Geneva on 28.7.1951: this document requires a visa unless the holder already holds a residence permit to stay in one of the Schengen countries or a Council of Europe member State (Strasbourg agreement of 20.4.1959).

A travel document for aliens who are prevented from obtaining a valid travel document from the authorities of the country of which they are nationals: these documents are subject to the same visa requirements which apply to nationals of their home country.

A seafarer's identity document, issued to seafarers for duty aboard ship in compliance with the ILO Convention no.108 of 13.5.1958 or with specific Bilateral Agreements. This document is subject to the visa provisions in force for the country of which the person in question is a citizen (if he or she is subject to this obligation, any of our Diplomatic Missions may, by way of derogation from the principle of territorial competence, affix a visa with "limited territorial validity" for transit up to 5 days, upon the request of the shipping company indicating the port, ship and date of boarding or landing of the seafarer, endorsed as confirmation by the competent Italian port authority).

A general Declaration, issued to pilots and crew of Civil Aviation companies for flight duty, in conformity with the "Convention on Civil Aviation" signed in Montreal on 7.12.1944. This document is exempt from visa requirements in the signatory countries of the Chicago Convention of 25.3.1949 or according to reciprocity agreements, provided that the entry is work-related.

A United Nations laissez-passer, issued by the UN Secretariat to UN personnel and that of its related agencies, in conformity with the "Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies" adopted by the UN General Assembly in New York on 21.11.1947. This document is subject to the visa provisions in force in the country of which the person in question is a citizen.

An individual or collective movement order issued by NATO Headquarters to the military personnel of a NATO force, in conformity with the "Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty" signed in London on 19.6.51 and ratified by Italy with Law no. 1335 of 30.11.1955. This document is exempt from visa requirements.

A list of participants in school trips within the EU, issued to students from third countries resident in an EU state in conformity with the "Joint Action" of the Council adopted by the European Union on 30.11.1994. This document is exempt from visa requirements.

A pass (replacing a passport and used, for instance, in the case of repatriation, for minors, or other cases in which a person who does not hold a regular travel document is nonetheless authorized to circulate in different States. This document is subject to the visa provisions in force in the country of which the person in question is a citizen.

Clearance papers or border permits granted to citizens resident in border areas, for transit across the border itself and circulation in the corresponding areas of neighbouring States. This document is exempt from visa requirements.

N.B.: For non-aliens who are citizens of one of the States of the European Union, Identity documents that are valid for leaving the country, are obviously exempt from visa requirements. Likewise, no visa is required on the Identity cards and other documents identifying citizens of the signatory States of the "European Agreement on the Abolition of Passports" signed in Paris on 13.12.1957.

C) FINANCIAL MEANS

On 1.3.2000 the Ministry of Home Affairs, pursuant to section 4(c)(3) of the Consolidation Act, Law no. 286/1998, issued an Order, "Directive defining means of subsistence for the admission and stay of aliens within Italian territory", published in the Official Gazette No 64 on 17.3.2000 (see section F below).

In addition to this provision of Italian law, which also applies to persons who do not require a visa, the CCI also makes the availability of means of subsistence an essential condition for the entry of an alien into the Schengen area.

Under this Directive - of which table A is given below - possession of the means of subsistence available may be demonstrated not only by showing liquid cash, but also in the form of bank guarantees, insurance policy guarantees or equivalent credit instruments, vouchers for prepaid services or other documents demonstrating access to sources of income in Italy.

Except where otherwise provided by the instruments mentioned above, foreign nationals "shall indicate the existence of appropriate accommodation within Italy and the availability of funds for repatriation, which may also take the form of a prepaid return travel ticket".

TABLE TO BE USED TO CALCULATE THE FINANCIAL MEANS
REQUIRED FOR ENTRY TO ITALY FOR THE PURPOSES OF TOURISM

D) VISAS

A visa, which comprises a special "stamp" (or "sticker") affixed to the applicant's passport or other valid travel document, is an authorisation granted to an alien to enter the territory of the Italian Republic or that of the other Contracting Parties for transit or visit purposes. It is issued on the basis of criteria related to the preservation of good international relations and to the protection of national security and public order.

However, mere possession of a visa does not entitle automatic right of entry to Italy, because the border authorities are always authorized to refuse entry if the alien is not in possession of adequate financial means or is unable to provide full details regarding the circumstances of the stay in Italy, or for reasons of security or public order.

All "aliens" who enter Italy legally, including those who are not required to hold a visa, must report their presence on Italian territory to the Central Police Station (Questura) of the province in which they are staying within 8 working days from the date of entry, and apply for a residence permit ('permesso di soggiorno'), which is the only document authorizing an alien's stay in Italy, for the reasons and the duration of stay stated on the visa.

N.B.: No visas may be granted (or extension made to previously issued visas) to aliens who are already on Italian territory. Visits may only be officially extended by extending or renewing the residence permit.

Under Schengen rules, the residence permit issued by the 'Questura' police authorities (or the diplomatic or service identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to holders of a long-stay visa, permits aliens, unless express limitations are imposed, to enter and leave the Schengen area and travel freely for a period of not more than 90 days in any 6-month period within territories of the other Contracting States, provided that they hold a national passport or an equivalent travel document which has not expired in the meantime. Even so, aliens are required to report their precence to the police authorities in the territory of any other Schengen states within 3 working days of entry

The Italian Foreign Ministry is responsible for issuing visas through its diplomatic missions and consular offices empowered to do so and having territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the alien. They have sole responsibility for ascertaining that the applicant qualifies for a visa, using their discretionary powers and bearing in mind the specific local situations.

Only in exceptional cases, and subject to very stringent conditions, may the border authorities issue a visa for a single entry and for a maximum period of 5 days' transit and 8 days' stay, for which they are held personally liable. These differ from the so-called "border permits", which are issued on the basis of an internationally accepted procedure to enable aliens without visas to stay overnight or spend no longer than 48 hours in areas adjacent to certain airports ("city visit permit") or to visit, during the day time only, the urban areas in the vicinity of ports, including places of major tourist interest ("permit for sailors and cruise passengers").

If the Missions of several Contracting Parties are located in the same Consular district, responsibility for delivering a Uniform Schengen Visa (USV for up to 90 days) lies with the Mission of the Schengen country which is the sole or principal destination, or, if the latter is impossible to identify, the Schengen country in which the first point of entry or destination requiring a visa is located.

If the Contracting Party competent to grant the visa does not have a Mission in the alien's country of residence or, in the case of very large countries in the alien's region of residence - and under a permanent prior arrangement to delegate responsibility for that country or region - the uniform Schengen visa can be granted by the Mission of another Contracting Party on its behalf. If necessary, the Mission of the delegated Contracting Party may consult the central authorities of the delegating Contracting Party and notwithstanding the right of the alien to file a visa application with another competent Mission located elsewhere. No so-called "national" long stays (NV exceeding 90 days) visas may be issued by a delegated authority.

Visas may be individual (on an individual passport) or group visas (on a group passport). Group visas cannot exceed 30 days.

Visas are divided into three main categories:

Uniform Schengen Visas (USV): valid for all the Contracting Parties/territories:

·         airport transit visas (type A), which are only compulsory for nationals of certain countries to transit in the international zone of an airport without entering national territory;

·         transit visas (type B), which are valid for up to 5 days to cross the territory of the Contracting Parties en route from one Third State to another Third State;

·         short-stay or travel visas (type C), valid for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry, (provided that the length of any one continuous visit and the total of all subsequent visits do not exceed 3 months in any 6-month period beginning from the first date of the entry into the Schengen area). Exceptionally, the Schengen regulation enables important or well-known persons who frequently require a visa and who can provide the necessary guarantees, to be issued with C-type visas which permit a visit of up to 90 days in any half-year and are valid for one (C1), two (C2), three (C3) or five years (C5). This type of visa can sometimes be a viable, practical and less time-consuming alternative to the procedure for obtaining long visit-stay visas.

Limited Territorial Validity visas (LTV): these are only valid for the contracting party whose representative issued the visa (or in particular cases for other Schengen states where specifically named) without any possibility of access to or transit through the territory of any other Schengen states; these may also be for airport transit (type A), transit (type B) or short stay or travel visas (type C).

As an exception to the common USV system, these visas may not be directly applied for by the alien and can be issued in a few specific cases, and as an alternative to the direct refusal to issue a USV, when the representative deems it appropriate to grant a visa, even though not all the conditions are met for the issue of a uniform Schengen visa, for humanitarian reasons, or in the national interest, or under international obligations, in emergencies or in case of need, for a 6-month stay for which the alien in question has already previously received a 3-month USV.

Long-stay or 'national' visas (NV): these are only valid for periods over 90 days (type D) depending upon the characteristics of each type of visa, with one or more entries, but only in the territory of the Contracting Party issuing the visa and only for the purposes of transit for a period of not more than 5 days through the territory of other Schengen states; they are called 'national' visas because they are issued by a Schengen state in accordance with its own domestic legislation, and can only be issued as individual visas.

N.B.: For long stays (above 90 days) for whatever purpose all 'aliens' are required to hold a visa, even if they are nationals of countries which do not require transit or short-stay visas (except in a few exceptional cases).

The types of entry visa introduced by the Interdepartmental Decree of 12.7.2000 (see point E below) are for the following purposes:

adoption (NV)

·         business (USV)

·         medical treatment (USV o NV)

·         diplomatic (NV)

·         accompanying dependents (NV)

·         sporting competitions (USV)

·         job-seeking (NV)

·         invitation (USV)

·         self-employment (USV o NV)

·         paid employment (USV o NV)  

·         mission (USV o NV)

·         religious purposes (USV o NV)

·         re-entry (NV)

·         choice of residence (NV)

·         family reunion (NV)

·         study (USV o NV)

·         airport transit (VTL)

·         transit (USV)

·         transport (USV)

·         tourism (USV)

·         working holidays (NV)

In view of the need to gradually harmonize the different national visa policies, the European Union countries adopted EU Council Regulation 2317/95 dated 25 September 1995, in force since 3.3.1996, establishing "The common list of third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Member States". This formed the basis for Annex 1 of the Schengen CCI, which contains the Lists of States whose citizens are subject to the visa obligation,⁵; while art. 9 of the Convention states that "the visa arrangements relating to Third States, the nationals of which are subject to visa provisions common to all the Contracting Parties at the time when this Convention is signed or later, may be amended only by common agreement of all the Contracting Parties".

For holders of an ordinary passport:

- for transit or short visits: a visa (USV or LTV) is required for citizens of the countries named in the common list;

- for long visits: a visa (NV) is always required, even if the alien is a citizen of a country exempt from this obligation.

For holders of a diplomatic or official passport:

- for transit or short visits: a visa (USV or LVT) is required for citizens of the countries named in the common list, except where agreements for an exemption exist between Italy and these countries;

- for long visits: a visa (NV) is always required, even if the alien is a citizen of a country exempted from this obligation, except where entry is sought for the purpose of accreditation or notification by a citizen of a country with which an agreement has been concluded exempting it from diplomatic visa requirements.

For the countries not named in the common list, and hence exempt from the visa requirement, this exemption only applies for transit or short visits (up to 90 days) for the purpose, in Italy, of "tourism", "business", "sporting competitions", "invitation" or "official missions".

Aliens aged 18 and over may request visas for themselves and for any family members who are named in their travel documents. (Applications for minors must always be filed by an adult and accompanied by the consent of both persons with parental authority for the child).

Visa applications must be submitted to a Mission in writing, giving all the details required on the visa application form which must be signed by the applicant, and accompanied by one passport-size photograph. As a rule, aliens applying for visas must visit the Mission in person in order to be interviewed on the reasons and circumstances of the visit. Applications must be accompanied by a valid travel document on which it is materially possible to affix the visa, together with any supporting documents that may be required. This documentation, depending on the type of visa requested or which the Mission deems it can issue, must necessarily state:

·         the purpose of the visit (letter of invitation, summons, participation in an organized trip, etc.)

·         means of transport to be used to go and to return (currency for vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance or, if the alien is not travelling with his own vehicle or in a group vehicle, a return ticket by air, sea, or train, or when such tickets are only issued to visa-holders, the booking vouchers, etc.);

·         means of support during the journey and stay (either in the form of cash in a convertible currency, or credit cards or other means of payment i.e. "traveller's cheques", etc.);

·         accommodation arrangements (hotel or similar accommodation bookings, documentation stating the availability of a rented or owned dwelling, letter of invitation, etc.).

Once it has been ascertained that the visa application can be entertained on the basis of the documentation produced by the applicant, and the results of the interview, which is normally conducted directly and personally, the Mission carries out the routine preliminary security checks. This involves on-line accessing the SIS (Schengen Information System) through the "world visa network",⁶ to consult the list of aliens to be refused admission into the Schengen area.

If the Italian security authorities or those of the other Contracting Parties have to be consulted before granting a visa, no visas can be issued until the consultations have taken place.

N.B. The processing of requests for opinions connected with these screening checks, reception of the replies and the subsequent issue of the visa-sticker are fully automated, using specific central and peripheral computer programs created for this purpose.

On issuing an entry visa, the Mission also gives the holders an information sheet in a language they understand describing their rights and duties on entering and staying in Italy.

Visa handling fees corresponding to administrative costs for processing visa applications are stated in Euro and are payable in Uganda Shillings (unlike other consular documents no surcharge is payable for urgent processing of visa applications). Such handling fees have to be paid in advance and are not refundable even if the visa is not granted.

N.B.: For visas delivered by Italian Diplomatic-Consular Missions, only the following fees (harmonized according to the Schengen regulation) are therefore payable, and no commission or other compensation is due under any circumstances whatsoever.