REQUIREMENTS FOR A SCHENGEN VISA
Schengen States - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and as from 21/12/2007 include Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia Switzerland, Slovenia and - issue
uniform visas valid throughout their territories.
When applying for a SCHENGEN VISA, the application must be submitted to the Embassy of the
State which is the “main destination” (the longest stay).
In those cases where it is difficult to determine the ‘main destination’, the application has to be
submitted to the Embassy of the State of first entry within the Schengen States.
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION (AN ORIGIANAL AND A PHOTOCOPY OF EACH)_MUST
ACCOMPANY EACH APPLICATION. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU SUPPLY A FULL PACK OF
DOCUMENTATION FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY/PARTY. THE EMBASSY CANNOT
PHOTOCOPY DOCUMENTS. NOTE: VISAS MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONSULATE OF
THIS EMBASSY IN YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE.
PLEASE NOTE
1. THE APPLICANT MUST BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE.
2. Visa requests which are submitted with incomplete documentation will be rejected at
the counter. Since the invitation letter is an essential document, please ensure that it has
been received by the Visa Section before presenting your application.
3. The submission must be done in person by the Applicant.
4. Processing of ordinary Visas takes 5 to 7 working days; business Visas take 8 to 15 working
days.
5. PLEASE BRING THE CORRECT AMOUNT
FEES
Euro 60 (payable in cash USD) for a type “C” visa (valid up to 90 days)
Euro 75 (payable in cash USD) for a type “D” visa (long duration visa)
Further to recent changes in legislation, fees are now levied for the processing of the application,
regardless of whether the Visa will be granted or not. Payment is STRICTLY IN CASH. Please
tender the right amount as no change can be given. Fees are subject to the exchange rate and
must be confirmed with the Visa Section.
REQUIREMENTS for travellers to the Schengen States for a period up to 90 days
a. One application form - which must bear the original stamp of this Embassy - completed in
each and every section and signed by the Applicant.
b. One recent passport size photograph.
c. The validity of the passport must exceed by at least 6 months the expiry date of the visa
required and must have at least one blank page.
d. Please note that EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS are not recognised by the Italian
Authorities.
e. A return or onward air ticket or an itinerary from the travel agent with confirmed
reservations;
f. Letter from employer confirming position and expiry date of contract; PLEASE NOTE for
Civil Servants a Note Verbal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also required and if Zim
Government is responsible for travel a letter of authority from the Cabinet. For those
belonging to Religious Orders, a Note Verbal by the Nunciature and an invitation from Rome
with the stamp of the Secretary of the State of the Vatican.
g. International medical insurance cover for the whole duration of the trip. PLEASE NOTE
the cover must be in excess of Euro 30,000 and must include emergency treatment and
repatriation.
h. Confirmation of hotel or tour bookings paid in full or letter from host confirming address;
i. Letter of invitation addressed and forwarded in original or by fax directly to the Embassy of
Italy (fax n.00263 4 -498199). In case of friends or relatives residing in Italy, the relevant
invitation form can be collected at the Visa section and must be accompanied by the copy of
the “Fidejussione Bancaria” (special bank deposit).
OR
j. Proof of sufficient financial means (approx. 60US$ per day) through travellers’ cheques
and statements for the previous 3-4 months of one’s own foreign currency Bank account.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please note that an Applicant has no legal right to a Visa. An Embassy can refuse a Visa
even if all the above mentioned documents have been submitted.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for business travellers to the Schengen States
a. copy of Company registration certificate.
b. Company profile and information on business activities including last financial statement or
documentation to prove the financial capability to operate with Italian companies.
c. Company declaration to certify the business purpose of the journey, the position of the
applicant within the Company and the business relations with the Italian Company.
d. Letter of invitation from the Italian Company specifying the nature of the visit and the details
of the Applicant. The letter must be addressed to this Embassy together with a copy of the
registration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce [can be faxed directly to: Embassy of
Italy, Harare fax. n.00263 4 - 498199]. The Italian Company which extends the invitation
must be a well-known company in order to act as a guarantor.
e. If the hotel booking is not available, a declaration from the inviting Italian Company
confirming hospitality and/or intention of settling the accommodation bills can be accepted.
MINORS
For children travelling alone or with relatives/friends, an authorisation in the form of an affidavit
signed by both parents before a Commissioner for Oath is required. If only one parent is travelling
with the child, the other parent should sign the said affidavit or a certificate of sole custody must be
submitted.
For children of school age, a letter from their school proving their attendance must also be
submitted.
PLEASE INDICATE THE NUMBER OF MINORS TRAVELLING WITH PARENT’S PASSPORT.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for travellers to the Schengen States for medical treatment
a. A medical certificate issued by their doctor in Zimbabwe
b. Written confirmation from a specialist or hospital appointment.
c. Proof of financial cover for the medical treatment.
RESIDENCE PERMITS
Visas exceeding 90 days, for the purpose of taking up employment or studies, are subject to the
National legislation of the Country of destination. The processing of these types of Visas can take
between 4 to 8 weeks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SCHENGEN STATES VISAS
Additional documentation can be requested by the Embassy at the time of application.
Changes to the purpose of the visit are not admissible
The Schengen States Authorities would also like to point out that Border Authorities of said
States are obliged to examine whether the pre-requisites for entry continue to apply at the time
of arrival. The examination is international practice. If the pre-requisites for entry or transit no
longer apply - or if the traveller is unable to provide the relevant evidence - even if in possession
of a valid Visa, entry may be refused by the Border Authorities. In this event no claim to
compensation will be accepted.
- It is therefore recommended that the traveller carry copies of the documentation submitted with
the Visa application. This will help facilitate border control procedures easier and avoid delays.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES
-
The Visa section can be contacted on 04-497373 or 04-497200 strictly in the afternoons during
the following times:
Mondays and Thursdays
between 3pm and 5pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
between 12pm and 2pm
YOUR CO-OPERATION IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED