Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Transit / SeafarersVerified 2026-04-20Italy Transit Visa (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers
The Italy Transit Visa applies when you have flight or ship connection in Italy. Commonly used by seafarers joining or disembarking vessels at Italian ports. Requires seaman's book, ship owner's formal request to the Embassy, and confirmation from Italian Port Authorities (Capitaneria di Porto).
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 from submission at VFS (extendable up to 45 days)
Stay Duration
Transit only (short — matching connection needs)
Starting Fee
€90
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
- Seafarers joining/disembarking ships at Italian ports
- Transit travellers with flight or ship connection in Italy
Not eligible under this visa:
- Airport-only transit without leaving transit zone — may be exempt from visa depending on nationality
- Extended stays / tourism during transit — apply for Tourist visa
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult — Schengen Visa Fee (Categories A, B, C) | €90 |
| Children 6–12 years (Categories A, B, C) | €45 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹631 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the Embassy of Italy — the INR equivalent shown is approximate and depends on the daily exchange rate. VFS Service Charge is ₹631 per applicant (inclusive of all taxes). Payment accepted via cash at VFS or Demand Draft in favour of 'VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED' (one banking instrument per applicant). Optional services: Courier Facility ₹795, Courier Assurance ₹631, Premium Lounge ₹4,669. 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
Core Documents
- !Application form — fully completed + signed
- !Two recent passport-size photographs (white bg)
- !Valid passport
≤10 years, 3 months validity, 2 blank pages.
Seafarer Documentation
- !Original and photocopy of seaman's book
- !Ship owner's formal request (confirmed via email to visti.newdelhi@esteri.it)
Must indicate expected time of arrival (ETA) + departure (ETD), confirmed by Italian Port Authorities (Capitaneria di Porto).
- !Individual employment contract
- !Manning Agreement
- !Declaration of the shipping agent
- !Proof of availability of adequate financial means of the applicant
- !Plane ticket / e-ticket itinerary receipt
- !Photocopy of all observations in the passport
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Ship owner sends formal request to Embassy
Email to visti.newdelhi@esteri.it with ETA + ETD + Capitaneria di Porto confirmation.
Gather seafarer documents
Seaman's book, employment contract, manning agreement, shipping agent declaration.
Arrange flight ticket + finances
Plane ticket/e-ticket + financial means proof.
Fill form + book VFS
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ matching jurisdiction.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
Pay €90 + ₹631. Processing 15 working days.
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.
Transit Checklist
Dedicated transit/seafarer checklist.
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.
- Ship owner MUST email the Embassy directly at visti.newdelhi@esteri.it — applicant cannot send this themselves.
- Capitaneria di Porto (Italian Port Authority) confirmation of ETA/ETD is mandatory — without this, application is not accepted.
- Seaman's book (Continuous Discharge Certificate equivalent) must be valid throughout the trip.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Ship owner's email not received at visti.newdelhi@esteri.it
- 2.ETA/ETD not confirmed by Capitaneria di Porto
- 3.Seaman's book expired
- 4.Manning agreement or shipping agent declaration missing
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Transit visa if I'm just changing flights at Rome?+
What is Capitaneria di Porto?+
Can the shipping agency apply on my behalf?+
What if the ship is delayed?+
Is this visa valid for touring Italy after joining ship?+
Processing time?+
Let us prepare your Italy Transit Visa — (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers 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 Invitation Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian applicants invited by an Italian Public Body or Institution for a 'public' purpose — political, cultural, scientific events.
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.