Italy Consulate in Beijing- 6 Steps to Apply For a Schengen Visa

Italy Consulate in Beijing, China is one the busiest embassies processing Schengen Visa. Italy is one of the beautiful countries in the world. Italy surrounds two of the world’s smallest countries-San Marino in Northern Italy, the oldest republic in the world and Vatican City in Rome, the smallest country in the world. Italy lies in Southern Europe, a flight to Rome takes roughly 2.5 hours from London/England, 8 hours from New York/USA. Italy Consulate in Beijing has outsourced visa processing to Vfs Global. Although the procedure for all Schengen visa applications is almost similar but before applying for visa, it’s better to go through all the information related to that particular consulate. In this blog we are going to discuss that how we can apply for Schengen visa at Italy Consulate in Beijing, China.

Schengen visa (2019) stats issued at Italy consulate In Beijing, China

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from Italy Consulate in Beijing

Visa applicants who reside near Beijing, China are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from Italy Consulate in Beijing. Travelers with Visit visas are not eligible to apply and they need to apply from their home country.

All Chinese citizens resident in Mainland China are eligible to apply Schengen visa in Beijing, China.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation (please, check here the list) legally residing in China.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in China can present a justification for lodging an application in China rather than in their country of residence. Italy Consulate in Beijing has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

As for national visas, applicants can present their applications at the Embassy of Italy in Beijing only if there were residents of the consular jurisdiction of this Embassy (Beijing, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Tibet, Xingjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Shanxi).

Italy consulate in Beijing has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for Italy Schengen Business visa.

Italy Visa Application Center In Beijing

Address:

East 101, Floor B1, Block C, Guanghua Lu SOHO II, No. 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, 100020

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86-20-28292276

Timings: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

View on Google maps ->

Hours for visa application: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

2) At the Visa Office of the Embassy of Italy

To schedule an appointment, applicants can email to [email protected].

All appointments will be scheduled from 9 am to 11:30 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Important notice: be aware that waiting time for an appointment at the Embassy usually is around ten working days. For all applicants not willing to wait, please be informed that you can go to the Italy Visa Application Center where no appointment is needed.

Visa Schengen Application Fee Structure:

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Italy Consulate in Beijing, China

Service Fee:

Applicants lodging the visa application at the Italy Visa Application Centre also need to pay a service fee: 62 CNY for ADS visas and 78 CNY for all other visas.

Visa Application Processing time

The Embassy of Italy processes Schengen tourist and business visa applications within 15 calendar days, eventually extendible to 30 days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

Schengen Visa Types issued by Italy Consulate in Beijing

Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

• Visiting Italy- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
• Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
• Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
• Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
• Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
• Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
• Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person
• Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments

Can Schengen Visa be Used for Multiple Entry or Single Entry?

Consulates offer Schengen visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days

Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from Italy Consulate in Beijing

Applying for Schengen business Visa is a simple and quick process if you prepare documentation carefully. If you follow steps below you can apply visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for consulate to process your application 

Step 1: Choose right visa category and complete visa application

Applying for a Italy Schengen Visa, your main destination should be Italy. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to Italy. Download the Schengen visa form for the selected visa type and complete it. Print the Italy-Visas form and the receipt. Note that these documents will be requested when submitting your visa application to the VFS Global center.

Step 2: Create a VFS account and make an appointment with the visa center

Create a Vfs account by entering your personal email address and password. Fill the requested personal data. If you are part of a group of people applying for a visa, please also enter the data of those accompanying you and proceed to validate the group. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience to attend visa interview at Vfs center, Beijing, China. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area.

Step 3: Prepare for supported documents

One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

1. Passport size photo
2. Schengen Visa application form
3. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
4. Travel Program Itinerary
5. Proof of accommodation copy
6. Proof of Solvency
7. Invitation letter
8. Medical insurance policy covering Schengen visa requirement
9. Address proof
10. Employment certificate
11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

Step 4: Attend Visa Interview at Vfs Global in Beijing

Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

Go to Vfs Global in Beijing on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on consulate requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application.

Step 5: Processing the visa Application

At Vfs global center, you will be taken care of by an agent who will check that all the documents necessary for your application are present in your file. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Consulate.

If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the Consulate General of Italy, you can:

• Request the shipment despite everything the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the Consulate;
• Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

If you decide to send your file to the Consulate, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the VFS center.

Step 6: Return of Passport

Once your visa application is decided by the Consulate General of Italy, your passport will be returned to the Vfs visa application Centre.  you will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.  

What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose 
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• No travel insurance covering trip
• Did not provide accommodation proof
• Missing documents  

If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection

Summary:

Apply Schengen Visa process in Beijing is easy and you need to work with Vfs Global to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter Italy and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure