General procedure
Visa applications (both national and Schengen visas) may only be submitted upon prior appointment booked online through the dedicated portal available on the VFS website at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/ita/book-an-appointment. It is not possible to submit a visa application directly at VFS or to visit VFS without an appointment.
Appointments must be booked directly by the applicant and not through external agencies or intermediaries.
When booking the appointment, applicants must select the visa category required (for example: family reasons, employment, tourism, religious reasons, business, study, etc.). The selected category cannot be changed at a later stage. Applicants are therefore requested to pay particular attention when selecting the visa category. For visa categories not expressly listed, an appointment under “All Other Categories” must be selected.
Appointment slots are opened periodically, typically on a monthly basis. In case no appointment slots are temporarily available for the desired visa category, applicants are requested to wait a few days and try again. Please do not book an appointment under a visa category different from the one actually required.
Please note that a valid credit card is required to complete the procedure.
Once an appointment has been obtained, the application may be submitted at the VFS offices in Colombo (675, Dr. Danister De silva Mawatha, Colombo 05) on the date and at the time indicated in the booking confirmation, which applicants are requested to bring in printed form.
The list of supporting documents (checklist) required for the different visa categories is available on the Embassy website and on the VFS website.
For all visa applications submitted through VFS, passport collection is handled by VFS.
Procedure for Maldivian citizens
Dedicated weekly appointment slots are available at the VFS offices in Malé for Maldivian citizens and residents of the Maldives and may be booked through the online portal https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/ita/book-an-appointment. Appointments are not divided by visa category and must be booked regardless of the type of visa requested.
Due to the time required for passport shipment and return, applications submitted in Malé must be lodged at least one month before the intended travel date.
Finally, please note that if Maldivian citizens and residents of the Maldives are already in Colombo, they may schedule an appointment at the VFS offices in Colombo through the link https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/ita/book-an-appointment.
Procedure for family members of EU citizens
For family members of EU citizens, as defined by Directive 2004/38/EC (spouse or registered partner, sons and daughters up to 21 years old and dependent parents), a dedicated booking system is available through the Prenot@mi portal, accessible through the link https://prenotami.esteri.it/. Please do not book an appointment through Prenot@mi if you do not fall within one of the categories indicated above.
Once the appointment has been obtained, family members of EU citizens must appear directly at the premises of the Italian Embassy (55 Jawatta Road, Colombo 05) on the date and at the time indicated in the booking confirmation.
Passports submitted directly at the Embassy by family members of EU citizens are returned exclusively upon notification, from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m., Monday to Thursday.
Procedure for diplomatic passport holders or service passports
Holders of diplomatic passports may submit their visa application directly at this Embassy, without an appointment, from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 12:00.
Holders of service passports travelling to Italy for official missions/assignments to be carried out at diplomatic representations in Italy (Embassies/Consulates) may also submit their visa application directly at this Embassy under the same conditions, upon presentation of the relevant Nota Verbale issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.
Service passport holders applying for other types of official missions must instead book an appointment via the link Book an appointment | vfsglobal under the category “Official Government Missions”.
Passports submitted directly at the Embassy by diplomatic passport holders and by holders of service passports are returned exclusively upon notification, from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m., Monday to Thursday.