Miscommunication between the Italian Embassy in South Africa and Capago’s visa application centres has led to confusion about whether South African travellers need extra insurance when travelling to the country.
Last week, Capago – the company issuing visas on behalf of the Italian embassy, told eTNW that to qualify for an Italian Schengen visa, travellers would now need to have an additional day of travel insurance in place that would cover them for at least one day after their arrival back in South Africa. (See eTNW August 4) .
The Italian Embassy has since advised that there have been no changes to the insurance requirements for SA travellers to Italy. “South Africans don’t need any additional insurance,” a spokesperson said.
Capago, however, continues to advise travellers that they require additional travel insurance that will cover them up to at least one day after their arrival back in South Africa. eTNW contacted the visa application centre on several occasions and was told each time that the requirements had changed for Italian Schengen visas and that the additional insurance was a necessity.
The Italian Embassy told eTNW it was in the process of clarifying any misunderstandings with Capago on any incorrect information they may have issued.
