Italy

[Col HJ]

I have to travel to Milan, Italy for work in September, my bad luck but I'll take one for the team. Anyway does anyone know how difficult or even possible it is for a Ukrainian citizen to get a visa for Italy ? My lady would be ecstatic to spend a week there.

[Shadow]

Italy is not very difficult in tourist visa as I understand.
For Schengen (which Italy is part of)) the basic visa policy is:
- Have money to pay for the trip and daily expenses
- Not pose a threat to the community
- Not having intention to stay longer than the visa period.

If it is possible to book a holiday package from a travel agency to where you are going, then chances for visa are probably very hign.

[SANDRO43]

If it is possible to book a holiday package from a travel agency to where you are going, then chances for visa are probably very hign.

Concur, a year ago a UKR woman came over for a week after arranging the trip through a Nicolayev travel agency, who took care of getting the visa for her, IIRC. An agency package tour satisfies most visa requirements (prepaid living expenses, return ticket, medical insurance. etc.).

I have to travel to Milan, Italy for work in September

Since I'm a local, let me know if you need some info .

[groovlstk]

Concur, a year ago a UKR woman came over for a week after arranging the trip through a Nicolayev travel agency, who took care of getting the visa for her, IIRC. An agency package tour satisfies most visa requirements (prepaid living expenses, return ticket, medical insurance. etc.).
Since I'm a local, let me know if you need some info .

This also worked for me years ago meeting a RW in Florence. As long as she books the trip w/a travel agency where everything is arranged and prepaid, getting a visa shouldn't be a problem.

[Col HJ]

Any ideal of the turnaround time for an Italian visa? My lady's best friend's MIL works at a travel agency so documentation of a tourist package will not be an issue. Owing to the nature of my work however my arrangements will in all likelihood be made in the last 10 -14 days before my travel. I can't imagine her flight from Ukraine being terribly expensive but I don't relish the thought of eating an airline ticket if the timing went awry.

SANDRO43 - So far I know this much, I will be flying to Malpensa and working in Bagnolo Cremasco. The hotels I have been referred to are in Crema and Milan. I once briefly dabbed a toe in Italy in my military days but am completely ignorant of any specifics regarding Milan. I'll welcome any recommendations of what to see and do.

[roykirk]

See my experience in the visa section concerning how I got my Russian girlfriend to Italy for a vacation.  Her travel agent told her that getting a tourist visa to Italy is sometimes more difficult for a Russian than getting one to the United States (if she attempted to get it on her own).  But she also said that if you went through a travel agency, it was much easier.  In the end, she couldn't get a Schengen to Italy because there wasn't enough time.  She ended up getting one to Greece and just staying in Italy.  Of course, this is for a RW, it could be easier for a UW.

[SANDRO43]

Any ideal of the turnaround time for an Italian visa? My lady's best friend's MIL works at a travel agency so documentation of a tourist package will not be an issue.

IIRC, the UKR lady I mentioned got hers in about a week's time, but probably your MIL has fresher news about the process.

SANDRO43 - So far I know this much, I will be flying to Malpensa

Malpensa is some 50 Km west of Milan which, if you don't have a rental car available, you can reach:
- by coach (Malpensa Shuttle, ticket €7, runs every 20 minutes, takes about 50 minutes)
- by train (Malpensa Express, ticket €9, runs every 30 minutes, takes about 40 minutes)
- by taxi (€70, takes about same as coach)

and working in Bagnolo Cremasco. The hotels I have been referred to are in Crema and Milan.

Crema is a small city (33,000 inhabs.) some 30 Km SE of Milan and Bagnolo is 5 Km W of it. Therefore, since I assume you'll be otherwise engaged during the day, you'll have to decide whether to leave on her own there or in Milan. Crema is a lovely little place that one can visit over a day or so, but Milan has much more to offer to visitors staying longer .

[Blues Fairy]

The main issue is time; she'll have to start bustling at least a month in advance and will have to show proof of 100% paid accomodation for the entire length of stay, as is the rule with Shengen countries.  The price of the tour, in case she goes through an agency, will include that, so don't expect to save money that way.  

You can reserve and pay for accomodations in advance and request that they send your g/f proof of payment; make sure that her name and dates of stay are indicated on the document.  Find out from the consulate if a fax is OK or an original letter is necessary.  When she receives it, she can still enlist an agency to help her with getting the documents through to the consulate.  If something goes awry, you can at least request a refund from the hotel; in case of an agency-arranged tour, this option most likely won't be available.