For information on entry and stay in Italy, please visit the MAECI website.
On the “Visa for Italy” portal, through a guided procedure, based on nationality, country of residence, reasons for the visit, and the length of stay, you can determine whether or not you need to apply for an entry visa to Italy.
Schengen Visa Application Form
National Visa Application Form
Invitation Letter Templates:
Hospitality Declaration Template
Business Invitation Letter Template
GENERAL INFORMATION
Starting from January 1, 2024, under the EU Regulation of April 19, 2023, Kosovo citizens are no longer required to obtain a visa for short stays in the Schengen area.
Holders of a valid biometric passport issued by Kosovo authorities are therefore entitled to freely travel within the Schengen area for all purposes that, until December 31, 2023, required a Uniform Schengen Visa (VSU Type C), except for work, medical treatment, family reunification, etc. For these purposes, the regulations and procedures remain the same as before (see the dedicated section below).
The duration of stay in the Schengen area cannot exceed 90 days within a six-month period (180 days), with the possibility of multiple entries. The 90 total days within the six-month period are calculated by adding up all days of presence in the Schengen territory, even if non-consecutive, and the six months are counted from the date of the first entry into the territory. It should be noted that, once the stay limit is exceeded, an expulsion order may be issued.
The only required document for entry into the Schengen territory is the biometric passport. However, considering the healthcare costs in Schengen countries, it is highly recommended to obtain health insurance before departure. It is also advisable to have a return ticket (mandatory for some airlines). If required, the foreign citizen should also be able to demonstrate the purpose, conditions, and arrangements of their trip.
Kosovo citizens are subject to the same rules that apply to citizens of any other third country, non-EU members: if requested by Border Police, they must be able to explain the purpose of their stay and demonstrate accommodation (with relatives, friends, or in a hotel) and sufficient financial means in relation to the nature, expected duration of the stay, and return expenses to the country of origin, as outlined by the Directive on the definition of means of support for entry and residence of foreign nationals in the national territory.
The Border Police, with regard to the entry of foreign citizens into the Schengen area, has the authority to deny entry to any foreign citizen who cannot provide the necessary evidence and is considered a threat to public security – for instance, if a notification has been issued in the Schengen Information System (SIS) for the purpose of refusal.
The Italian Embassy in Pristina continues to be responsible for issuing Schengen visas for citizens of nationalities other than Kosovo, who are subject to visa requirements and are legally residing in Kosovo. On the “Visa for Italy” portal, you can check the type of visa required.
The long-stay entry visa (exceeding 90 days) is called a “National Visa” (NV) and allows entry for long-term periods in the territory of the State that issued the visa. As long as it is valid, it allows free movement for no more than 90 days per semester in the territory of other member states.
APPOINTMENTS
The Embassy offers all visa applicants the opportunity to book an appointment to submit their application by connecting to the Prenot@ami portal.
This service is entirely free and can be used directly by every citizen, with no need for third-party intermediaries. No agency or intermediary is therefore authorized by the Embassy to provide outsourcing services. Any form of mediation by third parties is not authorized by the Embassy, and we encourage users to report it to the competent local authorities.
The Visa Section of the Italian Embassy can be contacted by email (visti.pristina@esteri.it) or by phone (+38338244925 – 112/110; Monday – Friday, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
Travel Advisory
Mandatory Visa for Air Transit in the Schengen Area
Please be advised that, in accordance with current regulations, all citizens of the following countries are obliged to obtain a visa even for air transit at airports located in Schengen territory: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.
Mandatory Visa for Air Transit in Italy
Please note that, in addition to the citizens listed in the previous advisory, for transit through airports located in Italy, it is obligatory to obtain a transit visa for citizens of the following countries: Senegal, Syria.
Furthermore, starting from February 1, 2025, the requirement for an airport transit visa in Italy will also apply to citizens of: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
Below are the lists of requirements for the most requested visas:
Visa for family reunification with a person residing in Italy who is not an Italian or EU citizen