The year 2020 is startling and catastrophic for many people worldwide. A sudden outbreak of a novel virus, which we now know as the Coronavirus, spread rapidly worldwide, causing mass devastation. Not only are millions of lives in danger even now, but they will continue to be in such a state for months to come.
A direct consequence of this is lockdown and travel restrictions all over the world. The move is put in place to control the spread of the novel virus and reduce deaths. In many ways, these restrictions are successful.
However, the side-effect of these restrictions is that the economies of several countries around the globe are plummeting. This is due to several factors: the halt of travel and tourism, a sudden stop in the restaurant business, food industry, and even education.
Due to travel and lockdown restrictions, international students cannot leave their home countries and enter their universities to start their classes. Although many universities are deciding to allow online-learning to commence, it is simply not the same experience- for students and teachers alike.
Early in July, Italy decides to reopen several of its visa application centres in third countries. Although many significant services remain shut, the mere opening of the offices is pleasant news for most. The strategic move is put in place after a lot of deliberate thinking and planning.
Now, Italy once again decides to reopen several more visa application centres in third countries. It is a slow and deliberate move and one which is highly appreciable.
VFS Global, technology service and outsourcing company, announces this news of Italy deciding to reopen several of its visa application centres. VFS Global serves both governments as well as diplomatic services globally. Italy is also one of the countries which outsource their visa services in countries worldwide to VHS Global.
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What Is the Official Announcement?
An announcement by the company in September announces their resuming of National (D type) visa applications. This is in addition to passport payback services, which continue earlier during the year in July. The Italian Visa Application Centers in other countries decide to publish this announcement as a part of their “COVID-19: CUSTOMER ADVISORIES”.
Additionally, the official notice reads as:
“The Italy Visa Application Centre in Nairobi (Kenya) has resumed operations for Type ‘D’ visas for employment, study, and family reunification. The centre will operate every Monday and Wednesday by prior appointment only via appointment. The office shall be open only on Mondays and Wednesdays until further notice.”
What Are the Italian Visa Centers That Are Reopening and Their Services?
Here is a list of the Italian Visa Centers that are now open, and the services which are resuming:
- Abidjan (Ivory Coast) – legalization applications
- Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria) – limited long-stay category and legalization applications
- Amman (Jordan) – passport pass back services
- Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, South Mumbai, and New Delhi (India) – limited long-stay category and legalization applications
- Dakar (Senegal) – long-stay visa and legalization applications
- Dhaka (Bangladesh) – limited long-stay category and legalization applications
- Doha (Qatar) – limited long-stay category and exceptional case applications
- Kolkata (India) – limited long-stay category applications
- Nairobi (Kenya) – passport pass back services
- Quito (Ecuador) – limited long-stay category applications
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What about the Italian Visa Application Centers in Other Parts of the World?
During the same period, several Italian Visa Centers in other places are also resuming their applications. They are deciding to accept visa applications for both short-term as well as long-term stays in Italy. The areas which are taking this decision to reopen are as follows:
- Jakarta
- Dominican Republic
- Santo Domingo
- Indonesia
However, other centres (Melbourne, Australia) are deciding only to reopen and accept emergency cases, and are active only from 9 am to 3 pm.
The notice also states that the visa application centres in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom decide to resume all operations and services. However, the centre in Edinburgh decides to operate only for specific hours. Simultaneously, the centres in London and Manchester are choosing to accept the applications for only short stays in Italy.
The centres in Beijing, China, are accepting only exceptional cases during this moment. Meanwhile, centres in Guangzhou are currently accepting only short stay applications. As for long-stay applications, the centre in Shanghai is the only one getting them now.
However, the centres in Chongqing are accepting only limited long-stay applications.
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Who Can Enter Italy Right Now?
Citizens of the European Union are the only ones who are currently able to enter Italy. Additionally, countries like Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Andorra, and Northern Ireland citizens may also enter Italy.
Non-European Union Citizens such as third-country nationals who are currently holding long-term resident status in any European Union country may also enter Italy at the present moment.
Citizens of a few other countries also have permission to enter Italy currently. These countries are as follows:
- Uruguay
- Republic of Korea
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Australia
- Tunisia
- Thailand
- Georgia
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What about Nationals Belonging to Other Third Countries?
Nationals hailing from other third countries may enter Italy only under certain specific circumstances. These include:
- Work purposes
- Health reasons
- Emergency cases
- Return to one’s own home
- Domicile
- Residence
In other great news, the Italian Government’s recent announcement is met by people with great happiness and pleasure. The new statement states that any unmarried partner of Italian residents or citizens can enter into the Italian national territory.
However, those can’t enter the Italian national territory. If for some reason, they are unable to qualify for a visa or if for any reason, their visa applications are not acceptable, then they will be unable to enter Italy, even if the visa application centres are open in their countries.
With so many catastrophic events taking place worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone is hoping to see some good changes now. The reopening of various Italian visa application centres, especially those in third countries, are a boon to most.
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