In order to improve the service, starting from 14/10/2022 a new online booking system has been activated for appointments to submit visa applications (both for national and Schengen visas). The online booking system is available on the VFS website at this link https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/ita/book-an-appointment. Payment shall be made by credit card (belonging to the applicant or to the inviter) at the time of booking. When booking the appointment, it will also be necessary to select the category of visa required (i.e. family reunion, employment, tourism, religious reasons, business, study). Changes of category at a later stage will not be possible. For visa categories that are not explicitly mentioned, an appointment for "all other categories" must be booked. If in doubt about the category of appointment to request, it is advisable to contact the VFS information desk.
Maldivian citizens (as well as residents in the Maldives) will have dedicated slots at the VFS in Colombo until VFS Male is reopened. Slots for Maldivians are NOT divided into different categories (they will have to book one of the slots reserved for Maldivian citizens/residents, regardless of the type of visa they are applying for).
New appointment slots will be opened on a weekly or monthly basis.
Once an appointment has been booked, the applicant will be able to submit the application at the VFS offices in Colombo (First Floor, No 464, Galle Road Colombo 03) on the day and at the time indicated in the booking (please remember to bring a printout). The list of documents to be submitted for the different visa categories is available on the VFS and Embassy website.
The new appointment system will entirely replace the “first come first served” system previously in force. Submitting an application at VFS (or at the Italian Embassy) without an appointment will therefore no longer be possible. However, the appointments already booked through Forsiter with the old system remain valid (those who are in possession of a valid receipt will be able to continue to show up at VFS on the indicated day and time).
FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS (as defined by directive 2004/38/EC, i.e. spouse or registered partner, sons and daughters up to 21 years old and dependent parents) will be able to book an appointment through the fast track Prenot@mi, available at this link https://prenotami.esteri.it/. Once the appointment has been booked, family members of EU citizens will need to show up directly at the Italian Embassy, 55 Jawatta Road (NOT at VFS like other applicants) on the day and time indicated in the booking
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDERS may submit official visa applications directly at the Embassy without appointment (Monday to Thursday, from 10.00 am to 12.00).
