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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.

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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. 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Your Italy Visa Application & Consulate Options

Italy Visa & Consulate Options

Determine your Italian visa application options and consulate jurisdiction below by selecting your school address and home address.

In-person appointments for independent applications are extremely limited for Italian consulates. For students who are eligible and meet the deadline, ACCeSS is your best option for securing your visa.

What makes you eligible for ACCeSS?

  • Study abroad with us in Italy for a semester or longer*
  • Have a home and/or school address in a consulate jurisdiction that participates in our ACCeSS program.

Learn more about ACCeSS and upcoming deadlines.

*Full-time semester interns are not eligible for ACCeSS.

Select "Other" if you do not attend school in either Montgomery or Prince George's County.
Select "Other" if you do not attend school in either Arlington or Fairfax County.
(i.e. the address on your driver's license or state ID)
Select "Other" if your home address is in a county that is neither Montgomery or Prince George's County.
Select "Other" if your home address is in a county that is neither Arlington nor Fairfax County.

Results:

If your home and school addresses are in different states, you may have more than one consulate option when applying for your Italian student visa. If you have questions about your jurisdiction(s), please reach out to your IES Abroad Advisor.

You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Boston Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Chicago Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply independently to the Washington D.C. Consulate.
You cannot apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS using your school address because the D.C. Consulate does not allow us to submit your application on your behalf.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Detroit Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Houston Consulate.
There is no ACCeSS option for students wishing to apply to the Los Angeles Consulate with their school address.
The Los Angeles Consulate does not currently accept independent applications using your school address. If you would prefer to apply independently, please apply to the consulate of your home school's jurisdiction.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Miami Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the New York Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Philadelphia Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Fransisco Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Boston Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Chicago Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply independently to the Washington D.C. Consulate.
You cannot apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS using your home address because the D.C. Consulate does not allow us to submit your application on your behalf.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Detroit Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Houston Consulate.
You can use your home address independently to the Los Angeles Consulate. There is no ACCeSS option for students wishing to apply to the Los Angeles Consulate with their home address.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Miami Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the New York Consulate.
If you are an international student who does not have a permanent address in the United States, your visa options may be more limited than other students. Please reach out to your Program Advisor to discuss your options.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Philadelphia Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Francisco Consulate.
We'll e-mail you a copy of your results for future reference if you'd like!
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We're Here for You

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.

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