I have recently just applied for my 5th work holiday visa, this time for Italy. Surprisingly this was one of the easier European visas I’ve obtained. I was expecting chaos, as Italians are not known for prompt, easy administration processes (ask anyone who has ever tried to obtain an Italian passport!), however I was pleasantly surprised.
You must be aged between 18 and 30 yrs to apply, and apply from within your country of residence.
Find information online at the Italian Embassy’s website.
You must complete the application form which can be found on the website of the consulate in which you plan to apply. As I was applying from Sydney, Australia, I obtained the application form here.
Make an appointment with your nearest consulate in order to apply. Appointments can be made online on the relevant consulate’s website.
On the day of appointment, you will need to attend an interview with the following documentation ready:
1. Passport
2. Completed application form
3. 2x passport photos
4. Return travel ticket, or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one
5. Proof of sufficient funds for duration of stay (equivalent of €3,500 for a year’s stay) shown in the form of bank statements dated within 3 months of time of application.
6. Ticket of entry to Italy showing the date and location in which you will enter.
7. Proof of travel insurance for the second 6 months of your planned stay (there is an Australian – Italian reciprocal agreement that will cover your first 6 months within Italy).
You must apply from within your country of residence?
8. Visa application fee in CASH ONLY as per the current visa fees listed on the consulate website (currently approx €100)
During the interview you will provide all relevant documentation and pay the non-refundable application fee. The visa takes about a week to process, and when completed you will receive notification to return to the consulate and collect your passport with your new visa inside.
The visa allows you to stay for one year in Italy. Now I did not intend on working in Italy, but simply wanted the visa to allow me a longer stay within the Schengen zone. Therefore I did not bother to complete the process past this point.
Should you wish to use the visa to live and work in Italy, you are required to register with the local police office within 8 days of entering Italy. This is to give you a permit to stay in Italy for the time specified on the visa. Once you have applied for the permit to stay you will receive a receipt of application which allows you to look for work, as the permit itself could take up to several months to be issued (Italians remember!).