For general information on this type of VISA, please visit the following Italian government website: vistoperitalia.esteri.it
What it is for and who can apply for it:
The Sports Activity Visa allows sports professionals to enter and reside in Italy to pursue their profession as athletes/coaches/etc. with an Italian sports organization.
The procedure begins in Italy, where the Sports Entity itself applies to the C.O.N.I. (Italian National Olympic Committee) for the respective authorization to carry out the sports activity. Once the relevant Italian body has issued this authorization, the athlete/coach residing in Panama or in one of the accreditation states can apply for a visa.
The visa can be applied for three months before the date of travel and up to 1 month before the date of travel.
Type of visa: “D” long-stay visa (more than 90 days up to 365 days).
REQUIREMENTS: Must be submitted following the strict order below:
- National visa application form duly completed in all fields and signed.
- Two photographs (3,5 cm x 4 cm), white background in color (identical and recent), one of which must be pasted to the form in the corresponding box.
- Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of the visa) with at least two free pages and a plain copy of the passport (only the page of the passport containing the holder’s personal information).
- Payment of consular fees in cash (pay on the day of the appointment, see Consular Fees Table)
- ID card- for foreigners cédula de extranjería or carne de residencia, valid (in both cases only an enlarged, legible copy).
- Copy of professional sports card.
- Copy of O.N.I. authorization issued by the same body.
- Copy of the “Italian Tax Code”.
- Letter from the federation of the relevant sport (e.g., Panamanian Cycling Federation) indicating:
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- Full name of the athlete.
- Sports profession for which he is recognized.
- Type of sport activity that developed in Panama/accreditation states.
- Team in which he developed the activity.
- Registration time in the respective Federation and registration number.
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- Simple copy of “Permesso di Soggiorno” and “Italian Tax Code”: only for athletes who have previously been in Italy on the same type of visa.
- One-way flight reservation with final destination Italy. NOTE: Air reservations must be made directly by the airline or a travel agency in the country of residence or directly in Italy (reservations made online are not accepted). The air reservation must be in the name of the applicant.
NOTES:
- The procedure is strictly personal. The Embassy has not authorized any agency or intermediary to apply for the visa.
- Please note that without the permission of the O.N.I. (of Italy) the visa cannot be processed.
- The declaration in Item 9 must always be accompanied by a copy of the declarant’s ID with a legible signature.
- If the visa applicant is a minor, the authorization issued by the competent DTL (Direzione Territoriale del Lavoro) must also be submitted
- If the visa applicant is a minor, his or her birth certificate must also be submitted
- If the visa applicant is a minor, the permission to leave the country issued by the competent authority (apostilled and translated) (original and copy) must also be submitted.
- Failure to submit any of the above documents may result in rejection of the visa application at the counter. The Embassy of Italy reserves the right to verify the level of knowledge of the Italian language and to request any other documentation deemed necessary.
- The Embassy of Italy reserves the right to request additional documentation it deems necessary through a document called a “Rejection Notice,” which may be issued a few days after reviewing the visa application.
- Since the visa is a concession, even if all the required documents are submitted, it can be granted or In the latter case, a “Denial Order” will be issued.
- If the visa is granted, the holder, upon arrival in Italy, must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno from the relevant Italian authorities within the first eight working days.