Schengen visa is a short stay visa that allows you to stay in the country for a maximum time period of 90 days (3 months) in any 6 month period starting from the date of visa issue. Working or Studying people holding a D Visa are exempted from this rule.
A single entry visa allows a visa holder to enter the Schengen countries only once and the visa expires as soon as the visa holder leaves the country.
A two-entry or a multiple-entry visa allows its holder to visit the country for two or several times during the validity of the visa.
You are recommended to apply for Italy Schengen visa 30 days prior to your planned trip. This is the maximum time required to proceed with all the documentation and travel requests.
Generally you may cross any Schengen border with visa issued by any Schengen country. However, the short-stay visa does not entitle you to enter the Schengen area. At the border, you may have to show the Schengen visa & also provide additional documentation. For example, travel confirmations, letter of invitations and other documents stating the purpose of stay.
Hence it is recommended that you carry with you copies of the documents that you presented when applying for the Schengen visa
Family Members of EU citizens do need a Visa in order to enter Schengen Zone. However, they are benefitted with certain procedural facilitations to obtain the visa application procedure alleviated and faster.
During the interview you will be asked personal questions about your whereabouts, the intended trip and other travel details. Make sure your answers are firm and correct.
To get the Italy visa, you should have money that is enough to cover the expenses made during the trip. This includes accommodation and everyday costs for the days of travel.
The visa can only be extended within the expiry period of the current visa and not post that. However there should be some strong reason like serious personal reasons, force majeure, occupational reasons, humanitarian reasons or some serious illness resulting in extending the authorized period of stay. You may also need to provide documents to support the reason of extension.
The fees once submitted for visa consultation & urgent visa acquisition is non-refundable.
The reasons for the refusal of Schengen visa are as per the standard forum. However, you are free to re-apply if your application was refused earlier. However, this time you need to be more vigilant & ensure there are no mistakes before submitting the new application.