Study Abroad in Italy
Visa Information
In order to study in Italy, you are required to have a valid student Schengen Visa. Please read this entire page very carefully.
What is a Schengen Visa?
Agreed upon in 1985, the Schengen Agreement created a zone of free travel throughout Western Europe, which today has expanding to include 30 European countries. The Schengen Visa Process requires students to apply for a visa from their primary country of destination. Please read this entire page very carefully. While Arcadia University is prepared to assist you with the visa application process, you are responsible for staying informed about the specific requirements of your study visa and lodging the appropriate application materials with the Italian Consulate.
Please refer to the instructions listed and example materials in this section when completing the study visa application.
Most consulates will not allow you to apply more than 90 days in advance of your departure. We highly recommend that you start to work on your materials as soon as you receive your acceptance. You will then be ready to submit you application at the 90 day mark.
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Italian Consulates
The Italian Visa process is administered in the US by a series of consulate offices located throughout the country. Each consulate office administers student visas in a slightly different way. Therefore, it is important that you review the specific requirements carefully, as the visa process is not uniform across the country. Most consulates require that you appear in person to submit your application. However, there are some exceptions. Be prepared for the fact that some students must travel a great distance to apply. Please refer to the instructions listed on the consulate webpage to determine whether you must submit your application in person.
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Video
| View a video presentation detailing requirements for your Italian visa. |
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The Application Process
For visual examples of required forms, please view the video above.
STEP 1 – Acquiring a Passport
You must possess a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, please begin the process of securing one immediately. If you already have a passport, please check to see that it has not expired. Your passport should be valid for the duration or your program and for an additional six months.
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STEP 2 – Determine the Italian Consulate
You will need to apply for your student visa from an Italian Consulate representing the jurisdiction where 1) You live at a permanent address; or 2) where you attend college. A list of Italian Consulates and their addresses can be found using the “Consular Network” list. From this site you will be able to link to any consulate office in the US.
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STEP 3 – Submitting Your Application to the Consulate
To apply for a student visa, the following items are required by most consulates:
- Passport – When you apply for your Italian Study Visa, you will need to submit your passport along with the rest of your application. The consulate will keep your passport during the application period and then place the visa on a blank page in your passport after it is approved.
- Visa Application Form – The application form is typically available on your consulates website. Guidelines for filling out this application form can be found at the bottom of this page.
- 1-2 recent, passport-sized photos to attach to your application.
- Acceptance Letter from Arcadia University - You will receive an original Arcadia Acceptance letter in your Acceptance Pack. Most Consulates require one original and one copy. Refer to your consulates website for final requirements.
- Original Accept Letter from your overseas Italian program - You will receive two original acceptance letters from your Italian Institution in your Acceptance Pack. Most Consulates require one original and one copy. Refer to your consulate website for final requirements.
- Arcadia Certificate of Enrollment – This document serves as verification that the student’s tuition and housing have been paid for. It also confirms the date of the program. This form will be sent in the Acceptance Pack.
- Affidavit of Support – This document should be filled out by the person supporting you financially while abroad (typically you, a parents or a guardian). This form proves to the Consulate Officer that you have the means of support while abroad. It will be accompanied by an original bank statement on letterhead or an original bank letter on letterhead. If available, please use the affidavit available on your consulates website. If there is no form available, use the generic affidavit on the Arcadia website. This Affidavit must be notarized.
- Bank Account Statement or Letter – The Consulate will require an original bank statement or an original bank letter to accompany the Affidavit of Support. You will need to refer to your consulates website to verify if they require a statement or a letter because requirements vary depending on which consulate you use. Most consulates will want to see that you have between $1,000 and $1,500 for each month that you are on the program. Please refer to your consulates website for the amount they require. The account belonging to the person submitting the bank statement or letter MUST be the same person who signs the Affidavit of Support. All documents and letters must be notarized to be considered official, prior to submission.
- Affidavit of Health Insurance – This document is required to inform Consulate Officers that you will have health insurance for your time abroad. You should include the CISI Health Insurance letter with this document. All Arcadia students are enrolled in CISI Health Insurance, which satisfies any health insurance requirements asked for by the Italian Consulates. Because of this, you will not need to include any other health insurance information. If available, please use the affidavit available on your consulates website. If there is no form available, use the generic affidavit on the Arcadia website.
- CISI Health Insurance Letter – CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) Insurance is included in your program fee. This document should accompany your Affidavit of Health Insurance. You will receive this in your Acceptance Pack.
- Copy of your round trip flight itinerary – The Consulate will require a copy of your flight itinerary verifying an arrival and departure flight. If you do not have an itinerary showing that you are returning to the U.S. at the end of your stay, your visa application could be rejected. If you have any specific questions about this, please contact your Program Manager. Most consulates will accept a copy/print out from your travel agent/service or airline. You should have this itinerary notarized if you mail the application.
- United States Postal Service Express Mailer – Most consulates will require that you apply in person at the consulate office. Once your visa is ready you will pick it up at the consulate office. Many consulates will allow you to provide a pre-paid, self-addressed United States Postal Service Express Mailer and they will mail the passport and visa to you when it’s ready. Please refer to your consulates website to find their exact mailing instructions as some consulates have different requirements.
As of May 2006, some consulates may request the following additional items:
- An original home school Letter of Enrollment. Please request this letter from your home institution’s registrar’s office. The Italian Consulate website will explain what the letter should include. Please provide an original letter signed by the registrar or a university representative, including the university seal and/or stamp.
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Documents to Bring to Italy
Make copies of all acceptance documents mailed to you from Arcadia University's The College of Global Studies. Please also bring any and all documents returned to you by your consulate. These and other documents necessary upon arrival in Italy are listed below.
- All documents returned to you by the Italian Consulate
- A photocopy of the Arcadia Acceptance Letter
- A photocopy of the CISI Insurance Letter
- A photocopy of the Italian Program Acceptance Letter
- A photocopy of your Affidavit of Support
- Photocopies of your passport face page and visa page
- Photocopies of your credit and ATM cards (front and back)
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Helpful Tips
- You should be aware that each Italian consulate office retains the right to amend its visa process at any time. We encourage you to refer back to your consulate’s website frequently throughout the process. As Arcadia University becomes aware of changes in the visa process, we will alert you by email.
- Be sure to make copies of your entire application for your records. If you are submitting by mail, all documents will need to be notarized.
- The study visa will be affixed to your passport by the consulate. Please be sure this document is located in your passport prior to your departure to Italy.
- If you are not a US citizen, you are responsible for any Italian visa regulations that pertain to your particular citizenship. For more information, contact your local Italian Consulate.
- Honorary Consulates are offices that have been authorized by the Italian Government to assist US residents with their visa applications. If there is an Honorary Consulate in your area, they may be able to facilitate the visa application process by validating your documents.
- If you are financially supporting yourself, you will need to provide proof of financial aid, scholarships or other financial awards in the form of original, official copies of the award letters.
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The Visa Application Form
Be prepared to provide the following information. The information provided below is intended to assist you in completing your application form. The numbered items below correspond with the numbered sections of the visa application.
If you have any questions, please contact your Italian program manager at the Center for Education Abroad.
4. Date of Birth – Please note the dates as: year/month/day
5. ID# - You may use your Social Security number
13. Type of Passport – National Passport
18. If you reside in a country other than your country of origin, have you permission to return? In most cases this would not apply or “NA”.
19. Current Occupation – Student
20. Employer and employer’s address and telephone number – Your University/College information
21. Main Destination- Write the city Rome, Lecce, Florence, Syracuse (Sicily), or Perugia , Italy
22. Type of Visa – Long stay (for summer session, circle "Short Stay")
23. Visa – Individual
24. Number of Entries requested – Multiple
25. Duration of Stay – You may put the program dates
26. Other Visas – You will fill this out as it applies to you
27. In the case of transit – This does not apply, call if you have questions.
28. Previous stays in this or other Schengen States – If you have traveled or stayed in any of the Schengen Countries, you may list them and the dates here.
29. Purpose of Travel – Full-time Study in a University Program
30. Date of Arrival – Program date
31. Date of Departure – Program end date – if you are going to travel after the program your status will revert to tourist
32. Border of First Entry in the Schengen states – Please list the country that you will first be arriving into; Border of Entry in Italy – Write the City, Italy
33. Means of transport – Plane unless you come by ship or train.
34. Name of Host or Company Name – write the name of the Director of Italy program school.
- The Umbra Institute – Daniel Tartaglia
- Accademia Italiana – Barbara McHugh
- Mediterranean Center for Arts and Science - Lucia Ortisi
- Universitá del Salento – Dr. Patrizia Guida
Telephone – Italy School Program Phone number – see the Program website
Full Address – Italy School Program address – see the Program website
35. Who is paying for your travel and costs during your stay – fill in accordingly
36. Means of support during your stay – Cash/travelers checks/credit cards, etc. – Mark all that apply
43. Personal data of EU or EEA citizen you depend on – “NA – not applicable”
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Questions?
Please contact your program managers -- Chris Callas and Jacki Daddona.
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