Italy Schengen Visa Interview

Many people who apply for Schengen visas from Italy are asked to attend an in-person Italy Schengen visa interview. If you receive an invitation to an Italy embassy interview as part of your Italy visa requirements, don’t be alarmed! Read on for a list of the most likely Italy Schengen visa interview questions, and for general information about Italian Schengen visas. 

Italy Schengen Visa Interview Questions

• In addition to the general questions for Schengen visa interview, applicants will likely also be asked a number of Italy visa interview questions. These questions are country specific to Italy, and include the following:
  • What is the purpose of your trip to Italy?
  • How long will you be staying in Italy? 
  • Why do you need to spend 90 days in Italy? Why can’t you get a visa for a shorter amount of time?
  • How do we know you will leave Italy when your visa expires?
  • Where will you live while in Italy?
  • How will you pay for your trip to Italy?
  • Are you going anywhere else in the Schengen area outside of Italy?
  • Have you ever visited Italy before?
  • Do you know anyone in Italy? 

How to answer Italy Schengen visa interview questions

• You should answer the above questions as openly and honestly as possible. 
• Lying on a Schengen visa interview for whatever reason is highly discouraged, due to the fact that if you’re found out, you will likely be rejected and possibly face bans on applying for future Schengen visas/ travelling to the Schengen area. 
• In answering these country-specific questions, try to emphasize your general knowledge of Italy/the specific city or town you will be staying in. 
• Don’t get flustered if you’re asked why you need so much time in Italy. Your interviewer is just trying to make sure that you’ve thought seriously about your trip and planned out how much time you need. Talk about the specific sites you want to visit in Italy and all the things you want to do there. If you will be spending the majority of your time in Rome, talk about your interest in Roman history and how excited you are to explore the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum and other historical monuments. 
• In responding to questions about how you will afford your trip, try to establish that you have an awareness of what things cost in Italy in general and the area where you are staying specifically. Research the average cost of living and basic goods and services in your intended city. For example, if you plan on spending the majority of your time in Rome, talk about how much a metro ticket costs, the price of food, etc.  
• If you plan on renting an apartment, but haven’t done so yet, talk openly about your budget and the average price of rentals there. 

General Questions for Schengen Visa Interview

• All Schengen visa applicants—regardless of where they are from or what country they are applying to—will be asked the following basic questions about themselves, their family, and their life in their home country during their interview:
  • Where do you live? Do you own your own house? 
  • Are you married? Do you have children?
  • Where do your parents live and what do they do for a living?
  • Where do you work? What is your average monthly salary?
  • Did you go to university? If so, where?
• In addition to these basic biographical questions, you must answer the following questions related to security. Don’t be offended by their nature-visa-officials are required to ask them of all applicants, regardless of where they are from).
  • Have you ever been arrested/convicted of a crime?
  • Have you previously been involved in a terrorist organization?
• Visa officials want to make sure you understand the basic rules and requirements about your Schengen visa. Specifically, they want to make sure that you’re not going to violate any of the basic Schengen visa principles (i.e. overstay your visa or use it to travel to a non-Schengen area).
  • Do you know how long your Schengen visa is valid for?
  • Do you know where you can travel on your Schengen visa?
  • Have you purchased travel medical insurance?

How to answer general interview questions

• In asking you basic biographical questions, you interviewer is trying to make sure that the answers you give match the information you provided on your written application. 
• Remember, the point of a Schengen interview is to establish whether or not you are going to be a good candidate for a Schengen visa. Above all, a good Schengen visa candidate is someone who will 1) Present zero security risk to the Schengen area throughout their visit and 2) Not overstay their visa (i.e. leave the Schengen area before their visa expires). 
• Remember these two main points; they should guide your responses to the general interview questions. In answering them, you should strive to present yourself as someone who is non-threatening and happy with your life in your home country. 
• Emphasize the fullness of your life in your home country. Talk about how close you are to your parents and your friends, and any family you have. The more personal relationships and connections you have to your home country, the more likely you should want to return there (i.e. not overstay your Schengen visa, or seek asylum in the Schengen area). 
• Talk about your job and how much you enjoy it, how much your company relies on you, etc.  If you are a student, emphasize the importance of your studies, and mention any upcoming examinations you are studying for. Emphasizing credible commitments in your home country on specific dates that fall after your Schengen visa expires is a good way to establish that you are likely to return home. 
• If you own property or have other business/financial commitments, mention them. Property owners and those with multiple financial commitments are less likely to try to stay in the Schengen area. 
• With a Schengen visa, you will be allowed to spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area. This is the most fundamental rule of the Schengen visa, and you should make sure you convey your understanding of what it means. 

Italy Visa Requirements

• In addition to the Italy visa interview questions, applicants for Italian visas must fulfill the following requirements:
  • Required documents (including a valid passport, passport photos, and  basic application).
  • Supplemental materials (depending on the type of Schengen visa you are applying for).
  • Schengen visa fee (standard is €80 EUR).
  • Biometric information (fingerprints and photos).
• You should bring the above documents/materials to your Italy embassy interview, which could also be held at an Italian consulate or visa application center. 
• In addition to handing in your application and other documents, your visa appointment is where you will have your interview and also submit your biometric information.