If you love traveling and want to discover a place off the beaten track, you should visit San Marino. San Marino is located in Italy, but it is a State of its own and one of the smallest ones in the world, for that matter.
But do you need a San Marino visa to visit the country? Can you enter San Marino with a Schengen Visa? What are the San Marino visa requirements? Keep reading to find an answer to these and even more questions.
Visa to San Marino: here’s what you need to know
San Marino is a little medieval treasure landlocked by Italy, and if you want to visit it, there is good news! American citizens do not need a visa when visiting San Marino.
Remember that you need to hold a passport with more than three months of validity. Moreover, if you plan on staying privately instead of booking a hotel or bed and breakfast, you need to report your stay to the Foreigner’s Office.
San Marino, however, does not have an airport. For this reason, it is necessary to fly to Italy or another European country and then go to San Marino by car or public transportation. Therefore, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. All the European countries require American citizens to hold a Schengen visa, otherwise, they will not be granted access at the border.
San Marino Schengen visa
Technically, American citizens do not require a visa to enter San Marino, but since they have to transit through Italy, they need a Schengen visa. To apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to prepare all the necessary documents and then send them to the closest embassy, consulate, or visa center of the country. Here you have a list of the documents you need:
- a valid passport,
- a roundtrip flight,
- a visa application form,
- proof of accommodation,
- travel health insurance,
- 2 (two) recent photos that respect all official requirements. You can also use an online tool to create the perfect passport and visa photos,
- proof of financial means,
- travel itinerary,
- evidence of employment, self-employment, or student status.
The office through which you applied will come back to you in about two weeks, sending you a stamp through the mail. The visa is valid for 90 (ninety) days and if you tick the multiple entry boxes when applying, you can visit multiple European countries at once.
San Marino visa requirements
For now, if you wish to visit San Marino, you have to apply for a Schengen Visa. However, things are about to change. The country is about to launch ETIAS, a visa waiver system, and from the moment it is launched, US citizens will have to apply for this visa if they want to travel to the country.
It was announced that to obtain it, US citizens will need only three things. Aside from the obvious requirement, which is holding a valid passport, Americans will have to provide their email address and a method of payment. Different from the Schengen Visa, it will be possible to apply for this new e-visa for San Marino online.
Just like the Schengen visa, the ETIAS will allow you to travel to the entire Schengen Area of Europe.
San Marino work visa
If you wish to work in San Marino, you will need to find an employer and apply for a visa. The type of visa you need to apply for is known as a stay permit and allows you to work in the country for a period of three months to a year. It can be renowned upon request.
To apply for a San Marino work visa, you need to present the following documents:
- birth certificate
- certificate of nationality
- a police report
- two passport-style photos.
San Marino golden visa
For those who wish to work in the country as company owners, San Marino has created a golden visa.
The requirements are not many, since the applicant is asked to be a majority shareholder, make bank deposits, and employ local workers.
After 10 years of continued investments, those holding a golden visa can apply for a permanent residency.
If the investments and the residence last for 30 years, Americans can apply for citizenship and obtain a San Marino passport.
However, the main requirement for obtaining citizenship is to renounce the original one. This means that Americans who want to hold citizenship from San Marino have to renounce their American one.
San Marino student visa
If you wish to study in San Marino, you can apply for a student visa. Students enrolled in one of the country’s institutions receive a student visa for the whole period of their studies as long as all courses are attended proficiently.
San Marino visa – an overview
As we said, you technically do not need a visa to visit San Marino. However, since the country does not have an airport, you need to apply for a Schengen visa to transit through Italy. To apply for this visa, you will need to send the necessary documents by mail.
The European Union will soon launch a new visa system known as ETIAS that will facilitate obtaining the visa since it will be possible to present the documents online.
San Marino visa requirements: FAQ
Can I enter San Marino with a Schengen visa?
Yes, at the moment, US citizens can enter San Marino with a Schengen visa. However, from the moment the new visa system is launched, US citizens will have to apply for a new visa.
Does San Marino offer e-visas?
Currently, San Marino does not offer e-visas. If you are about to visit San Marino you have to apply for a Schengen visa. However, once the new visa program will be launched, American citizens will have the chance to apply online.
Do I need a visa to visit San Marino?
No, American citizens do not need a visa to visit San Marino, however, as the country does not have an airport, you will have to book a flight with a stop in Italy to visit San Marino, and in this case, you will need a visa.
Do I need a work visa for San Marino?
Yes, to work in San Marino you need to hold a visa, such as a stay permit. If you want more information on the topic, contact the closest embassy or consulate.
How can you get a permanent visa for San Marino?
If you wish to get a permanent visa for San Marino, you should do so by applying for a golden visa.
