Important News and Notices

	Notice on Office Timing during Chinese Spring Festival: The Visa Application Center will be closed on Jan23, 2012. From Jan24 to Jan27, 2012, timing for application submission: 8:00am to 3:00pm; timing for helpline (38784008) and collection of passport: 10:00am to 3:00pm. The Visa application Center will be closed on weekends as usual. Thanks for your attention!
	New service fees is effective starting from 16 January,2012. The service fee for non-ads applications is revised to 220 RMB per person; the service fee for ads applications is revised to RMB 100 per person. Thanks for your attention!
	For applicants who are required an interview at the Italian Consulate: it is advised that applicants go to the Consulate alone or have your companion(s) stay outside the building of International Financial Plaza(IFP), as the Consulate allows in the applicants only. Secondly, to ensure a quiet environment for the interview, any use of mobile phone is forbidden once you enter the premises of the Consulate. Mobiles must be switched off and kept inside your bags. Last but not the least, do remember to bring ALL the original documents you have submitted in photocopy, including i.d. card, temporary resident permit, bank books/bank cards, marriage certificates, letters, etc....Failure in complying with this rule will cause delay in the visa processing time.
	People submitting applications on behalf of the applicant, should provide your original i.d. card and a copy of the same marked with your contact number and your relation with the applicant as well. People submitting documents are not allowed to sign the Visa Application Form on behalf of the applicant.
	For ADS visa application: Travel agencies please apply 3 weeks in advance, or else it could not be guaranteed to process the application in time; please make booking with the Visa Application Centre first, and come to apply on the scheduled date and with the scheduled number. The Visa Application Centre could not take the ADS applications if the travel agencies have not made the booking or have not come on the scheduled date. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!
	Important Notice about signature on the Visa Application Form and the last page of passport: Please make sure your Visa Application Form and the last page of your passport have been duly signed by yourself and the two signatures are consistent before you come to apply for a visa. For Chinese applicants, please sign in Chinese characters, not in Pinyin. The Italian Visa Application Center can not accept applications without those signatures.
	Important Notice about Photographs for Visa Application: Immediately effective from Mar12, 2010, applicants need to provide two identical recent passport-size photographs, in sharp focus and clear. The photographs must be: 1) no more than 6 months old; 2) 35 to 40 mm in width;   3) With high quality of no ink marks or creases. 4) In white background. For the samples of the photo specifications, please click here.
	Notice for university pre-enrolment: Students who wish to study in the universities in Italy, including Marco Polo Program and Turandot Program, Please go to the Consulate first for pre-enrolment procedure. For any information concerning pre-enrolment, please contact Miss He at (020)85270187-141, or (020)38396225-141.
	Important Notice for Overseas Medical Insurance: For the Overseas Medical Insurance, the validity period should at least extend 2 days earlier than the departure date and 2 days later than the return date based on the dates shown on the flight ticket booking.
	News for students in Italy-re-entry issue: Chinese students leaving Italy without receiving their first residence permit and are willing to return there to continue to study, should apply through the Consulate ( Visa Office / Visa Application Center ) before leaving China , for a re-entry visa which will be issued upon receipt of clearance by the Italian Police Station where the student live. This new procedure has been established by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Therefore postal receipt issued upon application of the residence permit will not be accepted anymore as a valid document to enter Italy, re-entry visa is required.
	About D-visa: Starting from 5 April 2010, all valid long-stay visas (‘D’) will allow for free circulation in the Schengen Area for 90 days in a six month period. A foreigner holding a long-stay D visa issued by a Schengen State will be allowed to travel to other Schengen States for 90 days in a half year, under the same conditions as a holder of a residence permit. This rule also applies to long-stay visas already issued before 5 April 2010, including still valid D+C visas.
	Where do I have to apply for my visa? Visas have to be applied at the Italian mission abroad covering the place of residence of the applicant. As a rule the residence is defined as the place a person is living in and working at. If the normal abode is not in agreement with the place of issue of the passport, the applicant is asked to present a residence permit issued at least six months prior to application. The Italian Consulate may require extra documents (working contract, house property) to support residence permit.