Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Business
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 15 calendar days (may extend to 45 days)
- Fee
- EUR 90
- Validity
- 180 days
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Schengen short-stay visa for business purposes including meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade fairs, and short-term professional assignments. Multiple-entry visas commonly issued for frequent business travelers. Same fee structure as tourist visa: EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children 6-12, reduced EUR 35 for visa facilitation agreement countries.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Must be a national of an Annex I country under EU Regulation 2018/1806.
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Purpose of visit
Visit must be for genuine business purposes: meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade fairs, training sessions, or short-term professional assignments. Must not involve paid employment in Italy.
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Financial
Must demonstrate sufficient financial means or corporate sponsorship to cover all expenses during the stay.
Minimum funds: Sufficient for duration of stay
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: 35mm x 45mm, white background, full face front view, taken within last 6 months
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Bank statement
Minimum balance: Sufficient funds to cover the stay; Months required: 6
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: Yes; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Travel insurance
Coverage area: Entire Schengen Area; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or letter from inviting company confirming accommodation arrangements; Must cover full stay: Yes
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Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
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Invitation letter
Host requirements: Formal invitation from Italian company on company letterhead, signed by authorized representative, dated within 30 days of application, including applicant's role, purpose, dates, and meeting/event details
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Schengen Visa Application Form
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Varies by location; Amount: EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children 6-12, EUR 35 for visa facilitation agreement countries
How to apply
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Online application
Fill out the Schengen visa application form online or manually. Select 'Business' as the purpose of travel.
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Document gathering
Collect invitation letter from Italian company, employment letter, company registration documents, financial proof, travel insurance, and flight/hotel bookings.
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Appointment booking
Schedule an appointment at the Italian consulate/embassy or VFS Global center.
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Fee payment
Pay the visa fee at the time of document submission.
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Document submission
Attend appointment and submit all documents with passport.
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Biometrics
Provide fingerprints and photograph. Exempt if biometrics were collected in the last 59 months for a previous Schengen visa.
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Processing wait
Standard processing time is 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 days.
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Visa collection
Collect passport with visa sticker. Verify all details are correct.