I'm planning a trip to Rome, but require a visa to enter Italy. The Embassy's procedure is that you have to phone a call centre and make an appointment to apply for this visa. you are not allowed to contact the embassy directly. The call centre number that you have to phone is a premium rate number of €1.70 per minute. I required a cancellation appointment to try and get this visa asap but was told that i had to keep phoning back to see if there were any cancellations, everytime costing €1.70 per minute and everytime i phoned, had to listen to all the mumbo jumbo which takes ages. How is it possible that embassy's are allowed to use these premium rate charges.?
Italian embassy: premium rate number of €1.70 per minute.
- Thread starter Brianp
- Start date
Re: Italian embassy
You can call into them to make an appointment! I was in there a few months ago with the wife. I think there is a 6 week waiting list for an appointment and then when another few weeks to process the application. In all it takes *much* longer than what they say on their web site. You have to wait outside the gate in to cold for your allocated time and if they are running late you can admire the peeling paint work on their fine Georgian building. (Sorry I just notice these things.) When we got inside there was a shouting match going on with someone in front of us.... All in all a very Italian experience.
I since heard that people are now getting a visa for another Schengen country and going to Italy on it.
PS: Brian, have you seen the charges for the American embassy.
Towger
Edit : Fixed spelling!
You can call into them to make an appointment! I was in there a few months ago with the wife. I think there is a 6 week waiting list for an appointment and then when another few weeks to process the application. In all it takes *much* longer than what they say on their web site. You have to wait outside the gate in to cold for your allocated time and if they are running late you can admire the peeling paint work on their fine Georgian building. (Sorry I just notice these things.) When we got inside there was a shouting match going on with someone in front of us.... All in all a very Italian experience.
I since heard that people are now getting a visa for another Schengen country and going to Italy on it.
PS: Brian, have you seen the charges for the American embassy.
Towger
Edit : Fixed spelling!
Re: Italian embassy
I know an Italian living in Ireland who needed to reigster his children (for passport purposes) in the Embassy. He was flabbergasted and bemused by the goings on in the Embassy for what should be a simple job. I think he also commented on the shouting matches and posturing he had to sit through.
I can't remember how long it took him in the end, but it was a long time. They seemed to be very procedure-bound there.
z
I know an Italian living in Ireland who needed to reigster his children (for passport purposes) in the Embassy. He was flabbergasted and bemused by the goings on in the Embassy for what should be a simple job. I think he also commented on the shouting matches and posturing he had to sit through.
I can't remember how long it took him in the end, but it was a long time. They seemed to be very procedure-bound there.
z
Re: Italian embassy
Their rules have changed since you were there. as from the 30th September all appointments have to made through their call centre. no exceptions.
Re: Italian embassy
The people in the embassy itself. the staff in the call centre were always helpful and friendly.
The people in the embassy itself. the staff in the call centre were always helpful and friendly.
Re: Italian embassy
Just to let you know, the British Embassy in Dublin are at the same thing regarding passport applications. Premium rate phone line to an outsourced call-centre for any information required. I did e-mail them complaining but have never heard a word back. Seems to be fashionable money-making venture.
Clig.
Just to let you know, the British Embassy in Dublin are at the same thing regarding passport applications. Premium rate phone line to an outsourced call-centre for any information required. I did e-mail them complaining but have never heard a word back. Seems to be fashionable money-making venture.
Clig.
Re: Italian embassy
Towger.
I think the American Embassy started the money making game. The Brittish Embassy is a joy to deal. Fill in the form on line, post in your passport and money and get you passport/visa back a few days later. It costs money, but the system works.
Towger.
Re: Italian embassy
That would be the same as the greek system. They were a joy to work with. everything handled by post. The Italian embassy is different. you have to appear in person and be interviewed before a visa will be issued.
I have to drive up from Galway for this interview which i think lasts around 20 min and then drive back down again. What a waste of time.... 7 hours min in a car for that day.
That would be the same as the greek system. They were a joy to work with. everything handled by post. The Italian embassy is different. you have to appear in person and be interviewed before a visa will be issued.
I have to drive up from Galway for this interview which i think lasts around 20 min and then drive back down again. What a waste of time.... 7 hours min in a car for that day.
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I don't understand this thing about handing in your visa application in person. My wife needs a visa for Germany, so we have to drive from Clare to Dublin for her to hand it in, and sign the application form in their presence. She is already has to produce plenty of evidence to prove who she as is part of application, not sure why they need to see her in person.
Surely embassies realize that people do live outside the Pale. Couldn't a Garda stamped passport copy suffice ?
On a related note, does anybody know the reason why Ireland (or UK) is not signed up to the Schengen visa agreement ? will this happen in the foreseeable future ?
Surely embassies realize that people do live outside the Pale. Couldn't a Garda stamped passport copy suffice ?
On a related note, does anybody know the reason why Ireland (or UK) is not signed up to the Schengen visa agreement ? will this happen in the foreseeable future ?