Getting an Italian Schengen visa appointment in the UK has become increasingly difficult in 2026. VFS Global — the official visa centre for Italy — often shows fully booked calendars for weeks ahead. This guide walks you through everything you need to know.
During peak travel season (May–September), Italian visa slots in London disappear within minutes of appearing. Start your application as early as possible — you can apply up to 6 months before travel.
Italian visa applications in the UK are handled by VFS Global. Locations:
You can apply at any UK centre regardless of where you live.
Non-EEA nationals residing in the UK need a Schengen visa to visit Italy. This includes most people on BRP cards — Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Filipino, Chinese nationals and many others.
British citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Italian visa fee (adults) | €80 |
| Children 6–12 | €40 |
| Under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | ~£30–45 |
The Italian consulate typically takes 15 working days to process a visa. During peak summer months this can extend to 3–4 weeks. Always apply well in advance — ideally 6–8 weeks before travel.
Italy is consistently one of the most popular Schengen destinations. VFS Global centres are overwhelmed with demand, and available slots — often from cancellations — appear and disappear within seconds. Many applicants spend days manually refreshing the booking page with no success.
SlotBot checks VFS Global availability every 60 seconds and either sends you an instant notification or books the slot automatically — so you don't have to sit and refresh all day.
SlotBot monitors VFS Global every minute and books automatically when a slot appears.