
Student Visa for Italy
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We can't wait for you to be sitting in a piazza, enjoying gelato, and practicing your Italian before class. Before you get lost in your Italian daydream, let’s make sure you can enter Italy legally with a student visa.
While this may be the first time you apply for a student visa, this isn't our first rodeo. Every year our team of visa specialists support each of our students studying abroad in Italy to have the proper documents to enter the country. Let's get started!
Italy visa processes and requirements are determined by the Italian consulates, not by IES Abroad. While our team of visa specialists regularly updates this page, the most up-to-date and official information can be found on Italian government and consulate websites. This page was last updated August 6, 2019.
What is an Italian student visa?
A student visa for Italy is a legal document adhered to one of the inside pages of your passport that you must have before entering Italy. The visa serves as approval from the Italian government for you to legally remain in Italy for the duration of your study abroad program. The Italy student visa is called National Visa D and is a long-term visa, meaning you plan to be in Italy for more than 90 days.
Do You Need a Visa to Go to Italy?
Depending on your IES Abroad program and citizenship, you may need a student visa to study abroad in Italy. We’ve outlined citizenship options below to help you learn more about your visa requirements.
If you will be going on a Customized & Faculty-Led Program, you may need a student visa depending on the length and nature of your program. Learn more in your myIESabroad account.
If you are a U.S. citizen...
If you are going on one of our semester or academic year study abroad or internship programs, you will need to apply for a student visa for Italy.
You will not need a visa for our Italy summer study abroad programs or summer internships.
If you are an EU citizen or U.S. military passport holder...
Lucky you! You may not need to apply for a student visa. Talk with your IES Abroad Advisor to confirm details about your legal entry and stay in Italy.
If you are a non-U.S. and non-EU citizen...
Refer to the Consulate General of Italy that services your country of citizenship to determine whether a student visa is required for you to enter Italy.
Applying for a Student Visa for Italy
Once you are accepted to your IES Abroad program, you will find detailed step-by-step instructions to apply for an Italian student visa in your myIESabroad account. For now, read below to get an idea of what the visa application process will look like as a U.S. citizen.
If you are a non-U.S. and non-EU citizen, refer to the Consulate General of Italy that services your country of citizenship to determine your visa application process. Contact your IES Abroad Advisor with further questions.

HOW
There are two ways to apply for a student visa to Italy as a U.S. citizen. Use the tool below to identify which options are available to you.
- IES Abroad ACCeSS: Depending on your home or school address, you may be eligible for ACCeSS. The Application Check and Consular Submission Service (ACCeSS) is an optional service provided by IES Abroad at an additional fee. Our visa specialists review your application materials and passport and submit them to the consulate on your behalf. Learn more about the benefits of ACCeSS. Note: Full-time semester interns are not eligible for ACCeSS.
- Independent Application: If you are not eligible for ACCeSS or do not meet the ACCeSS deadline, you will have to apply in-person to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction—the geographical region of your home and/or school address. In-person appointments are extremely limited for Italian consulates. For students who are eligible and meet the deadline, ACCeSS is your best option for securing your visa.
After obtaining your student visa, you will also need to obtain a Permesso di Soggiorno or "Permit to Stay." More information about this process is available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.

WHEN
You can apply for your visa until 180 days before your program starts per Italian consulate requirements, however you will have to wait until after you have been accepted into the program to receive your required visa letters from IES Abroad. If you are applying through ACCeSS, check out the upcoming ACCeSS deadlines.
If you are applying independently, we recommend you book your in-person appointment as soon as possible! Appointments are limited.
When requesting an appointment, account for your program start date, the 90-day application window, and the processing time required for the consulate to issue your visa. Processing times vary and usually take 4-6 weeks.
We recommend you set your appointment no later than six weeks before your program start date.

WHERE
In the United States, there are ten Italian consulates. Each consulate serves a specific geographic region called a "jurisdiction". The consulate that serves your jurisdiction is where you will apply for your Italian student visa. Use the tool below to determine your jurisdiction(s).
Each consulate has specific instructions on applying for an Italian student visa that may differ from other Italian consulates. This means that your visa application requirements may differ from another student's requirements if they are applying to a different consulate. When checking the application requirements for your student visa for Italy, always refer to your consulate's website.

COST
The Italian student visa fee for U.S. citizens changes quarterly depending on the current conversion rate and is typically $58-$63. This is a price determined by the consulate and paid directly to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction.
If you choose to participate in ACCeSS, there is an additional $125 fee that will be charged to your IES Abroad account.
If you apply independently, you will need to travel to your in-person appointment and may also be required to return on a separate occasion to pick up your passport and visa. This may mean you will have to pay for flights, train tickets, hotel accommodations, or other travel-related expenses.
You will also need to complete the Permesso di Soggiorno or "Permit to Stay" process which has an approximate €150 fee. More information about this process is available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.

Our team of visa specialists are here to help. Step-by-step instructions to ensure you have the proper visa and/or entry documents to study abroad are available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.