Surety Bond for Business and Employed-Work Visa

Business visa and employed-work visa: what they are for

The business visa allows a foreign citizen to enter Italy for short-term economic and commercial purposes: meetings with partners, negotiations, visits to offices or production plants, work meetings. The visa linked to an employed-work relationship, on the other hand, concerns the entry of a worker at the invitation of an Italian company.

In both cases, when the application is submitted the Italian consulate requires proof of the availability of financial means adequate to the duration and purpose of the stay. One of the instruments used to document this availability is the insurance surety bond, issued by an insurance company (an instrument different from the bank guarantee, which is instead issued by a credit institution).

We issue the insurance surety bond with a digital signature and send it by email, ready to be presented at the consulate. To find out the issuance times and the premium you can request a free, no-obligation quote.

Why a guarantee is required for these visas

The main reference is the Directive of the Ministry of the Interior of 1 March 2000 (published in Official Gazette No. 64 of 17 March 2000), which sets the criteria on the means of subsistence required of foreigners for entry and short-term stay in Italy (tourism, business, study, mission, sporting event). The Directive contains a table of minimum amounts broken down by bands of days of stay and number of persons.

The Directive indicates the minimum financial means to be demonstrated; the forms used to document them (cash, guarantees, securities) and their actual acceptance depend on the practice of the individual consulate. Among the forms used to document this availability is the insurance surety bond.

Note on the type of visa. The table of financial means in the Directive of 1 March 2000 concerns short-term stays. For long-stay visas linked to an employment relationship the legal basis is different: check with the relevant consulate which type of visa applies to your case.

How the insurance surety bond works

The bond is a guarantee provided by an insurance company in favour of the authority assessing the visa application. The applicant’s money is not tied up in their bank account: the guarantee is provided by the company, which in the event of a claim can recover the amount from the guaranteed party by way of recourse (i.e. requesting reimbursement of what has been paid). Unlike a security deposit, it does not lock up capital for the entire duration of the stay. We explained this difference in the dedicated article on how the guarantee works without locking up the money.

Who the parties involved are

The inviting company or party (policyholder). This is the Italian entity inviting the foreigner. It is responsible for the application and for the accuracy of the data provided to the consulate.

The foreign beneficiary. This is the non-EU citizen entering Italy. They generally do not pay directly: the inviting company requests the bond and arranges payment of the premium.

Costs and duration

The bond is valid for the period chosen and does not provide for automatic renewal: if the stay continues beyond the expiry date, it must be renewed.

The premium is fixed and depends on the duration of the coverage chosen. The table summarises the guaranteed amounts and the relevant premium:

Duration	Guaranteed amount	Premium
6 months	EUR 5,226.78	EUR 350.00
1 year (12 months)	EUR 10,386.43	EUR 550.00

For different durations or for an assessment of your specific case you can request a free, no-obligation quote.

How to request it in 3 steps

Fill in the online form. Enter the details of the inviting company and of the foreign beneficiary. It takes just a few minutes.
Upload the documents. Identity document of the company’s legal representative, copy of the beneficiary’s passport (front and back), signed privacy form and invitation letter on letterhead signed by the legal representative.
Receive the bond. Once the documentation is complete and payment has been received, we send you the bond by email with a digital signature. You simply need to print a copy and present it at the Italian consulate.

Frequently asked questions

Is the bond accepted by consulates?

It is suitable for the visas issued by Italian consulates. Acceptance at consulates of other Schengen States must be verified on a case-by-case basis according to the practice of the individual consulate.

How far in advance is it best to request it?

It is generally advisable to act 15–20 days before the consulate appointment, taking into account the processing times of the visa application. The bond is issued quickly.

If the stay ends earlier, do I get the premium back?

No. The premium is the consideration for the guarantee for the period chosen, not a deposit: the bond remains valid until the agreed expiry date.

Is it valid for the other Schengen countries too?

The bond refers to the visas issued by Italian consulates. For the consulates of other Schengen States, acceptance depends on the practice of the individual consulate and must be verified.

Do I need an Italian bank account?

No. You only need a method for paying the premium (bank transfer, card, PayPal).

Insurance Surety Bond for a Business or Employed-Work Visa: Requirements, Costs and Procedure