American citizens planning to study in Italy must have a valid student visa. Each student is responsible for obtaining his/her own visa but our staff will be glad to support and provide you with the necessary school documents.
VISA PROCESS
The Italian Study Visa process is administered in the US by a series of consulate offices located throughout the country. Each consulate office oversees the visa process for residents of a specific jurisdiction of states. Each consulate office has a slightly different application procedure. Therefore it is important that students carefully review the specific requirements of the consulate office of their state.
For more information, please visit the following link: http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it where you can also find a list of the Consulates General of Italy in US.
It is crucial that students read very carefully all information on the consulate general’s website and that they apply for a visa through a consulate general office.
Before applying for your VISA, please notice that you need the following documents:
- recent passport-size photograph
- valid travel document with an expiration date that is three months longer than that of the visa requested
- proof that the applicant has accommodation in Italy: hotel booking, declaration of hospitality
- proof that the applicant has sufficient means of subsistence for his/her stay in Italy,
- health insurance
- enrolment in the course to be attended in Italy
Accademia Italiana will issue a Certificate of Enrolment and school documents to students who apply for this entry visa, only after receiving the total fee and only for the duration of the program booked. If the visa application is rejected, after receiving the Certificate of Enrolment and the school documents, a credit note with the amount paid will be issued for a future course/program within 12 months in person or online. If the VISA is definitely rejected students receive a reimbursement of the program amount minus 10% to cover administrative costs and the services already booked. After having obtained the entry visa, it is not possible to cancel or change the dates of courses.
WHEN IN ITALY
Students on a long-stay study visa (more than 90 days) must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno at the local police station (Questura - Ufficio Stranieri).
TRAVELING BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROGRAM
Students must declare their presence in Italy with the local police (Questura) within 8 days of arrival so travel time prior to the start of the program must be planned accordingly. The study abroad program will provide information about the amount of time that a student can travel in Italy at the end of the program. Students who wish to travel to any other Schengen country at the end of the study program are advised to contact the consulate of that country for information.
To learn more about the rules governing visas, as well as about other visa types, click here.
For more information also visit:
http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/visti/visa-step-9-final-step.html
http://www.nafsa.org/Professional_Resources/Browse_by_Interest/Education_Abroad/Italy_Visa_FAQs/