Italy updates visas rules for applications from UAE for family reunification and study

Italy has introduced new visa regulations for the applicants from the UAE. These include stricter requirements for complete application files, special provisions for UAE students, and updated conditions for family reunification visas.

The Italian Consulate stressed the importance of submitting all necessary documents when applying for a visa, cautioning that any missing document could result in a rejection. This information was detailed based on the latest updates from VFS Global, the company responsible for processing Schengen visa applications in the UAE.

Family Reunification Visas

For family reunification visas concerning EU citizens, the new guidelines specify that if the marriage occurred in a country different from the applicant's country of origin, the original marriage certificate from the applicant's country of origin must be provided. This certificate needs to be properly authenticated or have an apostille. Previously, it was sufficient to submit a marriage certificate from the country where the marriage was conducted. The update now mandates the submission of the original marriage certificate from the applicant’s home country if the marriage took place abroad.

Student Facilitation in the UAE

Students in the UAE now have the option to submit their original school certificate issued within the country, rather than having it attested in the curriculum's country of origin, such as the UK for A-Levels, Switzerland for the IB curriculum, or India.

The certificate needs to be verified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must clearly indicate the student's completion of their studies and the curriculum studied, along with an Italian translation.

According to recent updates, students are no longer automatically required to provide a Certificate of Value (DOV) or a CIMEA (Certification of Qualifications Assessment) certificate. This document is only necessary if explicitly requested by the university as part of their registration requirements. However, a confirmed flight reservation continues to be mandatory.

In the past, students had to submit final certificates from foreign curricula after attestation by authorities in the country of origin, which added extra steps and delays to the visa application process. The need for a Certificate of Value or CIMEA certificate was also more widespread as part of application requirements. Now, students residing in the UAE can use the original certificate issued by their school locally, according to the specified conditions, without needing to return to the curriculum's country of origin for certification procedures.