How to justify the reason and duration of your stay in Italy

The documents required to demonstrate the legitimacy of the stay for tourism, work or study

For all non-EU citizens who are invited to Italy, whether with a visa or without a visa, Upon entering the Schengen Area, border authorities may request:

• To present a passport valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen Area (re-entry).
• To show documentation justifying the reasons and duration of your stay in Italy.
• To exhibit Schengen health insurance worth 30.000 euros
• To demonstrate the availability of economic means of support or to exhibit a Bank Guarantee or insurance
• To have a flight ticket with a return date no later than 90 days from the date of entry into the Schengen Area
• proof of hotel accommodation or declaration of accommodation (copy of the invitation letter of the person who invites the foreign citizen from Italy)

This is the same documentation that is requested at the Italian Embassy in all countries of the world when applying for a visa for Italy.

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What is meant by “documentation justifying the reasons and duration of your stay in Italy”?

The “documentation justifying the reasons and duration of your stay in Italy” refers to the collection of documents that demonstrate the reason why a person is in Italy and how long he or she intends to remain in the country.

These documents may vary depending on the reason for the stay, for example:

1. If it is a tourist stay, documentation may include the booking of accommodation and return flights, travel insurance, identity documents, travel itinerary, the bank guarantee, etc.

2. If it is a business trip, Documentation may include the employment contract, work authorization, residence permit, tax documents, etc.
3. If it is a study stay, Documentation may include enrollment in university or school, the study program, the certificate of knowledge of the Italian language, the residence permit, etc.

To summarize, the documentation should demonstrate that the foreign citizen, a non-EU citizen, who enters Italy have a legitimate reason to remain in Italy and who has the financial means (the Bank Guarantee), to support yourself during your stay.

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What happens if the foreign citizen does not comply with the procedures established by Italian law?

If a foreign citizen stays in Italy for more than 3 months or without the correct visa, becomes “irregular” and can be expelled, except in cases of force majeure provided by law.

Expelled foreigners cannot return to Italy unless they have special authorization or the entry ban has expired.

Furthermore, foreigners reported for serious reasons of public order, national security and international relations are not admitted into Italy.

Practically, they are considered irregular foreign citizens who enter Italy without the necessary documents or those who, despite entering regularly, lose the requirements for residence. 

Foreigners who enter irregularly are rejected at the border or expelled, unless they must be held in one of the immigration centers to ascertain their identity and/or nationality.

The competent prefecture adopts the expulsion order which is executed by the police headquarters.