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How do you apply for a visa for Italy if you live in the United Arab Emirates?

You apply through BLS International (Abu Dhabi emirate) and VFS Global (Dubai and the Northern Emirates) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The government fee is EUR 90, about AED 382 at the rate on 1 October 2026. Official processing time: Time limit to conclude the procedure: 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 under particular circumstances (Article 23 of the Visa Code).

Key facts

FactWhat it is
Government feeEUR 90 (AED 382, converted 1 October 2026)Checked 14 November 2026 against Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi
Where you applyBLS International (Abu Dhabi emirate) and VFS Global (Dubai and the Northern Emirates): Abu Dhabi, DubaiChecked 14 November 2026 against Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi
Official processing timeTime limit to conclude the procedure: 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 under particular circumstances (Article 23 of the Visa Code).Checked 14 November 2026 against Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi
Refusal rate19.1% (2025)Checked 14 November 2026 against European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs
Recent rule changeThe Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational: it registers non-EU short-stay travellers, including fingerprints and facial images, at the external borders of 29 European countries and replaces passport stamping. (from 10 April 2026)Checked 14 November 2026 against European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs
How to book an appointmentAbu Dhabi emirate residents book a tourism visa appointment through the BLS International portal; business visa applicants may go to the centre without an appointment. Dubai and Northern Emirates residents apply through VFS Global Dubai (this page gives no booking steps for them).Checked 14 November 2026 against Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi

Documents for this route

The official checklist, in the order the source gives it.

  1. Schengen visa application form, filled in and signed
  2. One colour passport-size photo, white background, at most 6 months old
  3. Valid passport and a copy: valid at least 90 days after departure from the Schengen area, at least two blank pages, issued within the previous 10 years, not damaged
  4. Copy of the UAE Residence Visa valid at least 90 days from the intended return date, and any previous UAE Residence Visa
  5. Copy of any previous Schengen, USA or UK visa
  6. No Objection Certificate from the local sponsor or employer, with a copy of the signatory's passport and UAE visa
  7. Employment labour contract or agreement
  8. Copy of a valid UAE trade or professional licence
  9. Means of subsistence: last 3 months pay slips, bank statements (UAE accounts only) and credit card statements, and any other evidence of the financial situation in the UAE
  10. International medical insurance for the whole stay, minimum EUR 30,000, unlimited hospitalisation cover, emergency repatriation and repatriation of remains, with a detailed table of benefits
  11. Confirmed hotel booking, or a letter of invitation for private accommodation
  12. Confirmed flight reservation
  13. Family members travelling together apply together; minors: see the Common Guidelines checklist
  14. Organised group trips: a signed document from the organiser listing participants and accompanying staff

Related pages

Sources

Changes to this page

No changes since this page was published on 14 November 2026.

Who checked this page

Facts checked by Imran AK. Reviewed by Manu KP. Last reviewed 14 November 2026.

Every fact comes from an official page and is checked by two people.