What type of visa do I need to enter Italy?

A Visa is the Authorization issued by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the home country of the non-EU citizen, allowing them to enter Italy for a specified period depending on the chosen type of visa:

There are three categories of visas:

• Type A, for airport transit;
• Type C, for short stays (valid for up to 90 days);
• Type D, for long-term stays (valid beyond 90 days).

These visas are further divided into four types, VSU, VN, VTL, VTA:

• VSU: Unified Schengen Visa, the visa holder can freely move between the states that adhere to the Schengen Treaty;
• VN: National long-term visa, the holder can also move within the Schengen area but only up to 90 days every 180 days;
• VTL: Limited Territorial Visa, the holder of this type of visa can move in only one state;
• VTA: Airport Transit Visa, the visa holder can transit through one or more airports of the member states.

Additionally, there are 23 types of Visas for Italy or Schengen countries, as specified (Ministerial Decree May 11, 2011):

1. Visa for adoption (VN)
2. Business visa (VSU)
3. Visa for medical treatment (VSU or VN)
4. Diplomatic visa for accreditation or notification (VN)
5. Visa for sporting competition (VSU)
6. Visa for invitation (VSU)
7. Visa for self-employment / Italy StartUp VISA Program / Italy StartUp Hub Program (VSU or VN)
8. Visa for subordinate work (VSU or VN)
9. Visa for mission (VSU or VN)
10. Visa for family reasons (VN)
11. Visa for religious reasons (VSU or VN)
12. Re-entry visa (VN)
13. Visa for elective residence (VN)
14. Visa for research (VSU or VN)
15. Visa for study (VSU or VN)
16. Airport transit visa (VTL)
17. Transit visa (VSU)
18. Transport visa (VSU)
19. Tourist visa (VSU)
20. Working holiday visa (VN)
21. Volunteer visa (VSU or VN)
22. Visa for foreign investors – Investor Visa for Italy (VN) (Introduced with the 2017 Budget Law)
23. Visa for digital nomads – (Introduced with the Decree of January 27, 2022)

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