Embassy of Italy in Singapore

apply visa for indian national
I am a singaporean intend to visit italy on tour/business. He is here on a SPASS for last 4 years. Is that a sufficent stay in singapore to apply a visa. Please advise

rauffn@gmail.com

apply tourist visa
hi,im im planning to go in italy for a holiday vacation.i just want to know if they are allowed to apply a employment pass here in singapore to go tourist in italy..thanks..pls advise me for your feedback..davijaydj@yahoo.com

Visa Application to Italy
I have purchase a tour package to visit Italy in September 2011 from a Travel Agent in Singapore. After reading through the website below http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp I have found out that there is no Embassy or Consular located in Brunei and was directed to the Embassy of Italy in Singapore. I was holding Certificate of Identity issued by Brunei. When I went to the Italian Embassy early this week, I was told that my travel document is not recognize and they are unable to accept my application. They even told me that they do take in application for my travel document last time but not now.. How can this happen?? In your website, it clearly states that

"Other travel documents equivalent to a passport are:

a travel document for stateless persons, governed by the "Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons" signed in New York on 28 September1954. Stateless persons must obtain a visa for Italy unless they already hold a residence permit to sojourn in one of the Schengen countries;

a travel document for refugees, governed by the "Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees", signed in Geneva on 28 July 1951. Refugees must obtain a visa unless they already hold a sojourn permit in one of the Schengen countries or a travel document issued by one of the signatory States of the Strasbourg Agreement of 20 April1959);

a travel document for aliens unable to obtain a valid travel document from the authorities of the country of which they are nationals; these documents are subject to the same visa requirements which apply to nationals of their home country; "

Now can anyone advise me how to I get my Visa to travel to Italy for my tour package that I have fully paid?? The reply from the Embassy of Italy - Consular Section to Prof Ebstein on 17 June clearly states that the "Consular Office does not discriminate visa applicants according to their race, gender, religion or nationality." I feel that I have been discriminated and treated unfairly. I have visited China, Australia, UK and many more places and there is no problem with my Visa application. This is the first time I have ever heard that my travel document is not recognized.

I am very disappointed that I am not even considered and rejected from the Embassy of Italy in Singapore. The lady behind the counter was very rude too.

I hope the Consular can assist me in solving my issues as I do not want to lose my money that I paid for air tickets, tour package and travel insurance..

tourist visa inquiries
Sir/Mdm, I have Nepalese Nationality, i am working in Singapore also i am Singapore PR (permanent resident), i intend to visit Italy. Is it possible to apply for Visa to Italy from Singapore?. How long will it take and what are the requirements?. I have planned to travel in mid of October 2011 -please advice me.

Thanks
Anju

my email: goyalanju@hotmail.com

Only 15 visas accepted in one day so queue early
We had gone to apply for a schenegen visa to the Italian Embassy and were quite surprised to learn that only 15 visa applications are accepted in one day. There was no mention about this is the website anywhere and no one answered the phone when we called so one whole day was wasted.Will have to queue up at 7.30 on Monday morning.The staff tried to help but "their hands were tied "by this new rule.

Reply to Mr Ebstein
Prof. Ebstein addressed a similar letter to the Italian Embassy in Singapore. The following is the reply to his letter.

Dear Prof. Ebstein,

I have been asked by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reply to your message “Discrimination by Italian Consul in Singapore - an injustice that needs correction”, dated 25th May 2011, which I understand you addressed to the EU Delegation in Singapore as well. Prof. Gilardi also wrote on the matter to H.E. the Ambassador of Italy in Singapore, in his capacity as chairman of the Congress you have been invited to attend, which is the reason why I’m adding him in copy to the present letter.

First of all, I want to make very clear that this Consular Office does not discriminate visa applicants according to their race, gender, religion or nationality. The Philipino nationality of your domestic helper was and is irrelevant to the decision not to accept her application for a tourist visa. All non-Schengen nationals can of course apply for a tourist visa, provided that they meet the requirements set by the Italian laws, in the frame of the relevant Schengen regulations. The first requirement is that the purpose of the visit to Italy must be consistent with the type of visa the applicant is requesting. It is precisely the duty of the Consular Office to verify that such requirements are met. In Ms Bermejo’s case the purpose of the trip is, as clearly stated by yourself, not tourism but rather to continue to work at your service during your visit to Italy.

According to the Italian laws, visa for subordinate employment in Italy of domestic workers, home-care givers and similar, even if for a limited period of time, is to be issued pending granting of the “nulla osta” (entry clearance) to be requested by the employer. The “Sportello Unico” (Unified Immigration Desk) will provide for the “nulla osta” and the “contratto di soggiorno per lavoro” (job contract) to be sent to the Diplomatic Representation. It is thus the employer - who must be a resident in Italy, of course - that initiates the procedure by applying to the “Sportello Unico” for the “nulla osta”. Such procedure has been designed, on the one hand, to prevent illegal immigration and illegal work in Italy, on the other hand, to protect the rights of foreign workers by making sure that their subordinate employement takes place within the guarantees provided by a regular contract, governed by the Italian Law.

Since I understand that it is your medical condition, after the serious surgery you went through, that requires attention and assistance, I therefore suggest the temporary hiring of a professional nurse whose application would be – regardless of their nationality – accepted and examined and the visa – provided that all the other requirements, such as sufficient financial means, health insurance and so on, are met – most likely granted.

Best regards,

apply schengen visa via Italian Embassy
Hi,
i'm going to Europe on September 2011 and we will stay in Italy the longest.
according to the rule we need to apply via Italy embassy.
however, we are now preparing the documents to apply Schengen visa but we couldn't find the rules in Embassy of Italy website.
also how long would it take to process applying visa with the embassy?
we have tried to call to the embassy but there was no answer.
Could you kindly provide me the information?
my email: neobusara@gmail.com

Discrimination in VISA application against Filipino domestic workers
Below is a copy of an email sent to the EU here in Singapore. I don't know if anything good will come of my complaints but it really irks me how horrible the Italian Consul here in Singapore has behaved. They are flagrantly discriminating against Filipino domestic workers working here in Singapore. These wonderful people give humane and caring help to families all over the globe. Why is the Italian Consul in Singapore afraid to let one of them visit Italy to help a temporarily disabled Professor give an invited lecture in Torino at an International meeting?

I wonder if anyone can help correct this injustice?


To the The European Union Delegation to Singapore

I am a full Professor at NUS and have been invited to an international scientific meeting (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) in Torino, Italy. Since I am after a serious surgery and require some assistance in traveling, I decided to have my Filipino domestic helper accompany me on the trip (June 24 - July 1). She is legally employed by me and my wife since my operation and has been a terrific helper in our house. Of course, she also has a valid employment pass, Yesterday, when she applied for a Schengen VISA from the Italian embassy here in Singapore she was told that Filipino domestic helpers are not qualified for a VISA. I was with my maid and despite my protestations about my condition they refused even to consider the application. The application was complete and included a round trip ticket for myself and my maid, health insurance etc etc.

I found this capricious act of the Italian Embassy here in Singapore quite outrageous and even more difficult to comprehend. Furthermore, to me it reeks of discrimination against a group of wonderful people, the Filipino domestic workers here in Singapore, who are widely employed and more widely appreciated for their dedicated and loving care to many Singaporean and Ex-pat families.

Moreover, our maid received a Schengen VISA two weeks ago from the Danish Embassy here in Singapore to accompany me on a trip to Denmark and Germany in the beginning of June. Why would the Danes give my helper a Schengen VISA and the Italians refuse!!?? So the action of the Italian embassy appears to be their own decision to discriminate against legally employed Filipino domestic workers in Singapore. Finally, I most likely will not be able to attend the international meeting in Torino where I am an invited symposium speaker since, as explained above, I need my maids help in traveling.

I am wondering if the The European Union Delegation to Singapore is aware of this apparently new and discriminatory policy by the Italians towards Filipino nationals? It certainly can’t help improve relations between Europe and an important Asian country. Perhaps you can be of some assistance in protesting this unfair and irrational action of the Italians?

apply schengen visa via Italian Embassy
Hi,
i'm going to Europe on September 2011 and we will stay in Italy the longest.
according to the rule we need to apply via Italy embassy.
however, we are now preparing the documents to apply Schengen visa but we couldn't find the rules in Embassy of Italy website.
also how long would it take to process applying visa with the embassy?
we have tried to call to the embassy but there was no answer.
Could you kindly provide me the information?
my email: neobusara@gmail.com

VISA REQUIREMENT
Sir/Mdm, I have Chinese Nationals who are Singapore PRs, they intend to visit Italy. Is it possible to apply for Visa to Italy whilst they are in Singapore?. How long will it take and what are the requirements?.
Thank You