Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — InternshipVerified 2026-04-20Italy Internship Visa — Short Term C (Tirocinio Formazione)
The Italy Internship C (Tirocinio Formazione) Visa is for students who wish to undergo internship in Italy for up to 90 days. Visa Fee is GRATIS (fee-exempt) — only VFS service charge applies. The Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to request further documentation and verification, which can suspend the 90-day evaluation maximum period till verification is completed.
Heads up — Italy Visa Checklists Vary by Jurisdiction
The info below is per the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi (North Jurisdiction).
Italy splits visa decisions across 4 Indian consulates — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru — each with slightly different document checklists, fees rounding, and processing nuances. The requirements listed on this page match the New Delhi (North) jurisdiction.
New Delhi (North) jurisdiction covers
SureshotVisa helps Indian applicants across all states (and Indian citizens abroad) — not just New Delhi. If you reside in a Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru jurisdiction state (or outside India), reach out and we'll confirm the exact checklist and steps that apply to your consulate.
Processing
15 working days standard (extendable to 45)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days
Starting Fee
GRATIS
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Italy visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1North jurisdiction — Applications from residents of New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh are decided by the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi. Place of passport issue does NOT determine jurisdiction — residence does. Applications from other jurisdictions go to Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru consulates with slightly different checklists.
- 2Applicant MUST mention their OWN working phone number on the application form and at the counter — not the agent's or representative's number. The Embassy reserves the right to verify, and non-compliant applications may be judged incomplete.
- 3Visa applications must be submitted in the country where the applicant has continuously lived for the last 6 months — proof of residence required. The Embassy cannot process applications from visitors to India (even Indian nationals abroad).
- 4Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages. For Short-term visas, 6 months validity from travel date is required.
- 5Travel medical insurance is mandatory for ALL Schengen visa applicants — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid throughout Schengen territory, covering the entire stay (or repatriation for multi-entry). Only approved Indian Travel Insurance companies are accepted (see VFS Italy site for the current list); alternatively, policies from countries where claims are recoverable in Schengen States.
- 6Polio vaccination certificate required IF applicant is from / stayed >4 weeks in: Afghanistan, Kenya, DRC, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic (vaccination must be 4 weeks to 12 months before travel).
- 7Photo specs: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, light/white background, color, ≤6 months old, 80% face zoom, non-smiling, no sunglasses/hat (unless religious). Stick (don't staple) on the application form.
- 8The Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional documents or a personal interview even if not mentioned on the official checklist.
- 9Visa fee, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused or withdrawn while under processing.
Who Can Apply
- Students enrolled in Indian educational institutions undergoing short-term internship in Italy
- Professional/technical training participants (≤90 days)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Internships >90 days — apply for Internship D (Long Term)
- Paid employment or contracted work — apply for Employment visa
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Embassy Visa Fee — Internship C | GRATIS |
| VFS service charge | ₹631 |
Visa fee is GRATIS / FREE for this category. However, the VFS Service Charge of ₹631 (per applicant, inclusive of all taxes) still applies. Optional value-added services (courier, courier assurance, premium lounge) are available at extra cost. Visa fee and service charges are non-refundable if the application is refused by the Embassy of Italy or withdrawn while under processing.
Documents Required
Mandatory Documents (show originals at submission for verification)
- !Application form — fully completed + signed
- !Two recent passport-size photographs (white bg, not stapled)
- !Valid passport
≤10 years, 3 months validity beyond stay, 2 blank pages.
- !Proof of enrolment / pre-enrolment in study/technical/professional training course
Mentioning hours of daily study/professional practice + duration of course. Can be supported by request letter from hosting Institution.
- !Documentation of educational history from country of origin
Show ALL originals at submission — with attestation from relevant authorities including MEA apostille.
- !Proof of available means of support for the stay in Italy
- !Declaration of availability in Italy of appropriate lodgings + funds for repatriation
Possibly demonstrated via return airline ticket.
- !Overseas medical insurance (€30,000 min) for emergency hospital + repatriation
- !Consular declaration attesting applicant's right to healthcare in presence of specific agreements between Italy and country of origin
OR foreign insurance policy / one underwritten with Italian bodies — no limitations on emergency hospitalization fees.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Get enrolment proof + hosting Institution letter
Proof of training course with hours + duration details.
Apostille educational documents via MEA
All originals shown at submission for verification.
Arrange funds + insurance + return ticket
€30k insurance, lodgings, repatriation funds.
Get consular declaration on healthcare access
OR approved foreign/Italian insurance policy without hospitalization fee limitations.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
FREE visa fee; ₹631 VFS. Processing 15 working days (suspendable up to 90 days total for verification).
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — English
Print back-to-back, fully completed and signed by the applicant. A separate form is required per applicant.
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — Italian
Italian-language version of the same form.
National (D) Visa Application Form
For all long-stay (>90 days) Category D applications.
Declaration on Travel Health Insurance
Mandatory declaration confirming €30,000 minimum coverage from an approved Indian insurer (or approved Schengen alternative).
Processing Time (Waiver) Declaration
Waiver acknowledging standard processing time and the Embassy's right to extend it.
Data Protection Form
Privacy consent for data handled by VFS / Embassy.
DoV Application Form (for Study visas)
Declaration of Value required for study visas when CIMEA alternative not accepted by the Italian university.
Template of Invitation form (Internship)
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel — early enough to handle Embassy extension (up to 45 days), not so early that bookings become stale.
- Fill the application form online at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ BEFORE visiting VFS — most VFS centres have limited on-site PCs and filling there creates long queues.
- Italian-language documents are preferred for Business / Family Reunion invitation letters — if originals are in Italian, include an English translation only when required by the Embassy.
- Buy travel health insurance ONLY from the approved Indian insurers list (VFS Italy maintains the current list) — insurance from non-approved providers is rejected even with €30k+ coverage.
- Indian documents (birth/marriage/relationship certificates) need to be duly apostilled by MEA. Italian certificates are to be requested via the ANPR portal with QR code.
- Financial documents: last 6 months personal bank statements (not business accounts), stamped/signed by branch manager. Last 3 years ITR with barcode + Challan receipts strengthen the case.
- Internship C is fee-exempt — €0 visa fee + only ₹631 VFS charge.
- Embassy WILL ask to see ALL originals at submission — bring apostilled educational documents + course proof to the VFS.
- Healthcare consular declaration is tricky — coordinate with the Italian hosting institution to understand what's needed.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Course duration exceeds 90 days — should apply for Internship D
- 2.Educational documents not MEA-apostilled
- 3.Healthcare/insurance proof insufficient
- 4.Funds for repatriation / lodging inadequately proved
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Internship C really free?+
Can my internship be paid?+
What's the difference from Internship D?+
What if my course is 4 months?+
What processing suspension means?+
Can I extend Internship C while in Italy?+
Let us prepare your Italy Internship Visa — Short Term C — (Tirocinio Formazione) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Italy Visa Types
Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing, and non-business leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Italy Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals making conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits in Italy — up to 90 days.
Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Italy — up to 90 days. EU-national family members use a separate streamlined category.
Italy Research Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay research visa for Indian researchers visiting Italy for research activity (≤90 days) with a Host Agreement (Convenzione di accoglienza).
Italy Religious Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian religious workers (priests, pastors, preachers, teachers) travelling to Italy for up to 90 days for religious work.
Italy Study Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay study visa for Indian students undertaking courses ≤90 days in Italy, typically for entrance tests or short programs.
Italy Sports Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for professional and amateur Indian sportspeople, judges, and adjudicators participating in sports events in Italy.
Italy Transit Visa (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers
Schengen transit visa for Indian applicants who have flight or ship connection in Italy — typically for seafarers joining/disembarking ships at Italian ports.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Italy website and Embassy of Italy. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.