Apply Schengen visa (Italy) from Singapore

We are Indonesian family who resides in Singapore with Permanent Resident status. We still need visa for most of the countries when we want to go abroad, but we can apply the visa from Singapore since we are a resident here.

For our upcoming trip, my son and I are going to London and Italy, while Daddy and Baby O will stay at home. We just got our UK visa (my son's passport) at the very last minute, exactly 24 hours before our appointment for Italy tourism visa!!! ^.^ 
So the very next day we went to BLS Italy Singapore office at International Plaza, Tanjong Pagar. This is some kind of agency appointed by Italian embassy to handle their Schengen visa application in Singapore.

Schengen visa is valid for most of European countries, once you get it, you can go to any of those countries within the visa validity period. But which country should you apply the Schengen visa from?  If you travel to more than one Schengen Country, it depends on which country you stay the LONGEST (counting by night spent), or if the days of stays are the same in one of the country, then you apply based on the first COUNTRY of ENTRY. For our case, both the longest and country of entry is Italy. 
The application cannot be submitted earlier than 90 days before the expected date of arrival in Schengen Area.

So these are the steps to apply Italy Schengen visa from Singapore:
1. https://www.blsitalysingapore.com/appointment-schedule.php
2. Go to your email, click the link, then choose the date and time for the appointment. If you choose Prime Time, there will be additional charges (additional of 50 SGD per applicant).
3. Check your email for Confirmation email that will state all your appointment details.
4. Print document checklist that has to be signed and submitted as well: 
https://www.blsitalysingapore.com/pdf/checklistTouristVisa.pdf 
5. Print the application form online, fill it up, one form for each person.
https://www.blsitalysingapore.com/pdf/ApplicationFormSchengenEnglish.pdf
6. Prepare one 35 mm x 45 mm, most recent photo that's taken within 6 months, with white background. About 70-80% part of the photo must be filled by the applicant's face, with an acceptable face height of 32-36 mm, not forgetting to completely show applicant's head, including hairstyle.
7. Make sure you prepare all the complete documents, bring the printed appointment notification, then just go to the centre at the appointed time for documents submission and finger prints taken.  

I want to highlights for the documents needed: 
1. All tickets in and out for the countries, from the moment you enter Schengen country until you leave.
2. Accomodation for ALL night, from day 1 until you leave. 
3. Bank statement, if you print this from online, it needs to be STAMPED each page by the bank. They will not accept unstamped printed bank statement. Unless you submit an original bank statement. 
4. Your NRIC and a valid REP.
5. For MARRIED COUPLES: photocopy of the Marriage Certificate and a photocopy of the Spouse's passport, even if the spouses are not travelling together.
6. Travel insurance is a must for this visa, and the requirement is very strictly has to be fulfilled:
▪ Travel insurance policy valid for the whole Schengen Area or Worldwide.
▪ The insurance policy indicating your name must cover medical, hospitalization and repatriation costs for up to Euro 30.000 or SGD 50.000. (only SGD, Euro and USD currencies are accepted)
 ▪ The insurance must fully cover the whole period of stay in Schengen Area
 ▪ Please print and submit the policy with its full details containing coverages and geographical area details.
7. Company letter or ACRA is especially important:
Official letter of employment issued by your Company and addressed to the Embassy of Italy. The letter bearing the Company's Letterhead and contact details must state the following:
▪ Name, position and date of employment of the Applicant
▪ Period of granted leave and salary.
▪ The letter must bear also the name and position of the signing person, his/her original signature and seal of the Company.
▪ NO coloured scans or electronic signatures will be accepted.
▪ If you are self-employed, please submit your ACRA Biz File.
For me as a part time private tutor only, I dont have any of those letters. So I have to hand-write my letter to the Italian embassy to explain my "job" circumstances. Plus I attached my tax filing report. 


Special condition for MINOR: 

1. For minor who goes with one of their parent only, the OTHER parent (who doesn't go) has to COME to the center too to sign consent form. 
2. They asked for photocopy of BOTH parents' passport n NRIC. Please prepare extra copy of your passport. 
3. Bring photocopy of your child's birth certs.
4. They need school letter for minors, it has to be with SCHOOL STAMP and PRINCIPAL's SIGNATURE. Please prepare ahead by requesting it from the school's principal. 
Official letter issued by the student's School and addressed to the Embassy of Italy. The letter bearing the School's Letterhead and contact details must state the following:
▪ Name, year of enrolment of the Student at the School
▪ Purpose and period of the trip.
▪ The letter must bear also the name of the School's Principal, his/her original signature and seal of the School.
▪ NO coloured scans or electronic signatures will be accepted.


I know... I know... how come very troublesome right... hahaha!! I also got a Major headache preparing all these. This agency very particular about all these little details! But please just cooperate since they want to make sure you get the visa. 

We submit all these document Friday afternoon, and our passport already in our mailbox by Wednesday with Schengen visa in it SUPER YEAY! ^o^



ITALY here we comeeee!!!