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Visa Guidelines - Italy

In order to study abroad in Italy for a semester for any program longer than 90 days, you must apply for and obtain a student visa before you go. A student visa is a stamp in your passport that grants you permission by a country's government to live and study in that country. The type of visa you receive is specific to the length of your stay and your country of origin. Most student visas dictate that you are a full-time student at a host university and that you will not be working while abroad.

 

You will need to apply for your student visa between 90 and 30 days before your program start date. Begin gathering the required documents now so that you may submit your visa application paperwork within the specified time window at the Italian Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

 

The guidelines on this page will refer to the application processes at the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. and the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia. If you are eligible for and choose to go to another consulate, it is YOUR responsibility to source their requirements and follow appropriate procedures. Please locate the Italian Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence here: Italian Consulates in the United States. 

 

Please be aware that requirements can change without notice and will vary by consulate, so it is your responsibility to check for the most recent requirements at your consulate of jurisdiction. Consular offices may also request additional documents at their own discretion.

 

NON-U.S. CITIZENS: You may need to follow a slightly different process to gain permission to study in Italy so please start this process early. Review the Italian Consulate's website for your jurisdiction for more information and visit the UMD Office of International Student Scholar Services to notify them that you will be studying abroad for an extended period of time.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON D.C. 

(Instructions and forms required may differ for other Consulate locations. Please see bottom of the page for application instructions from the Philadelphia Consulate.)

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

*All UMD students are eligible to apply at the DC Embassy because they are students in Prince George’s County, MD, which is within the DC Embassy's consular jurisdiction.

It is of the utmost importance that you check BOTH this page AND your Terpmail email REGULARLY for any updates.

 

*DO NOT STAPLE ANY DOCUMENTS that you turn into the Embassy/consulate.

 

  1. National Visa Application Form 
    1. The visa application form available here: National Visa Application. Please review the guide for completing the application form. You can also view a sample application form. Please print it SINGLE-SIDED and make sure that when you print out the application, the bottom of the application does not get cut off. You can complete the form online or by hand.
    2. If you complete it online, you will need to physically sign the form (wet signature) on the second and third pages after printing it. If you complete the form by hand, use a blue or black pen and make sure your handwriting is CLEAR, legible, and stays within the boxes.

 

  1. 1 recent official passport-size photo
    1. Must be printed on photo paper, have a white background, be sized to 3.5x4 cm. Scanned or photocopied photos will NOT be accepted; the photo must have proper resolution. The photo is of the head and neck area – not full torso. You can get one of these at CVS, Walgreens, and post offices for a fee.
    2. If you recently got a new passport, you will still need to get a new passport sized photo taken. Consulates have regularly taken issue with students attempting to use the same photo for their passport and visa.

 

  1. Valid Passport plus 1 photocopy of the photo and signature page
    1. Photocopy should include the photo and signature page  together in ONE scan
    2. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return to the US, and you will be submitting your PHYSICAL passport. Make sure the photocopy is CLEAR, does not cut off any part of the passport information and has at least two blank pages in your passport to affix the visa.

 

  1. (For non-US Citizens only) Original plus 1 photocopy of Permanent Residence Card OR other US immigration document allowing re-entry into the United States (e.g., valid long-term US visa, Advanced Parole, etc.). 
    1. The US Residence permit or visa must be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen territory. International students must submit original and copy of F-1 Visa and valid re-entry ("travel") signature on I-20. Please provide a copy of the old passport if a US Visa is affixed there.

 

  1. Proof of residence within the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC, such as: 
    1. Your UMD student ID (our recommendation) 
    2. Driver’s license or state ID from Washington D.C., PG or Montgomery County in Maryland, and Virginia (only Arlington and Fairfax counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax)
    3. Proof of current address within the above locations through utility bill, bank statement, etc. 
    4. EA Notes: the easiest way to fulfill this requirement is with a photocopy of your UMD student ID. Photocopy of your chosen form of ID is sufficient and you do NOT need to submit your actual ID card. 

 

  1. Bocconi Exchange students ONLY: Summary of the pre-enrollment application
    1. This is a 1-page document that you can request on the platform, Universitaly, by filling out the form asking for your personal and program information. 

 

  1. Confirmed roundtrip flight reservation/booking 
    1. The booking must cover the period of the visa and include RETURN flight reservation, unless the visa being requested is for more than 1 year.  
    2. EA Notes: Open-ended or one-way tickets with no return will not suffice. Printed itineraries should have the student name and confirmation number listed. We recommend booking refundable/changeable flights so you can change the end date if needed.
    3. If you are not returning to the U.S. immediately after your program, your  itinerary must at least show your departure from the Schengen area  

 

  1. Health Insurance Provider or Study Abroad Program certification
    1. On official letterhead, certification should clearly state that the student has minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro for hospitalization, emergencies, evacuation and repatriation for the ENTIRE duration of their stay within the Schengen territory. If the insurance provided by your educational institution does not cover the ENTIRETY of your stay (as shown on your flight booking), you MUST purchase additional insurance with the same terms stated above.
    2. This will be added to your application by UMD with the CISI insurance letter. You do not need to provide this document.

 

  1. Original and copy of the official letter of acceptance from an accredited academic institution in Italy. 
    1. The letter, on the institution’s letterhead, must be addressed to the Embassy of Italy and specify the period of study, the full-time enrolment (at least 20 hours  per week), and if tuition and room/board are covered in full. 
    2. For students studying in the Maryland-in-Rome program, this will be added to your application by UMD, as we receive your official acceptance letters directly from our partners. You do not need to provide this document. 
    3. Students on all other programs (including Maryland-in-Florence, Maryland-in-Perugia, and BMGT Exchange at Bocconi) will need to provide their acceptance letters, as we do not receive those letters directly. Maryland-in-Florence and Maryland-in-Perugia students can find their visa letters in their online ISI portal.

 

  1. Original and copy of letter of enrollment from UMD
    1. Letter must be addressed to the Embassy of Italy, indicating the student’s current status (full time in good standing) and expected date of graduation. This letter must be accompanied by the letter of acceptance to the Study Abroad Program (original and copy), when this is sponsored by a different US College or University; this letter must also show correspondence between the program you will pursue in Italy and your current studies in the USA. 
    2. EA Notes: This will be added to your application by UMD, as we will prepare a letter of enrollment addressed to the Embassy. You do not need to provide this document.
 
  1. Proof of suitable accommodation
    1. Must be for the entire duration of your stay in Italy, consisting of confirmation of lodging provided by the Italian University or other host.
    2. If you will be signing a lease to cover your accommodations, you will have to present the registered and executed lease contract (sealed by the appropriate ITALIAN authorities).
    3. If you will be staying at a private home (ie., you’ll be “hosted”), then you must have your host fill out the appropriate form (“proof of accommodation”), sign and date it and present it with proof of legal residence in Italy and copy of their “carta d’identita” or passport. 
    4. If arranged by the University, on university letterhead clearly indicating address of lodging and duration of the accommodation.  
      1. EA Notes: If you are staying in housing provided by your program (ISI, AUR, etc), you do NOT need to submit anything separate, as this information is included in your acceptance letter (#8 above). If you will be staying in independent housing (this is not an option for all programs), you will need to provide proof of accommodation (see #10.1 and #10.2 above).

 

  1. Proof of financial means
    1. You will need to show proof of having at least ~30 per day of accessible funds,so~1000 per month of your program. (For example, if your program is 5 months long, you need proof of being able to access ~$5000). Applicants must submit one of the following:
    2. If you, the student, are providing proof of financial means for yourself: the last 3 most recent bank statements from a US banking institution. You need to show a current MINIMUM balance (please visit: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/Moduli/it/Direttiva_MinInterno_1-3-2000.pdf), in a CHECKING or SAVINGS account (no IRAs, investment accounts, HYSAs, money market accounts, etc.), to cover the entire course of study.
      1. Ideally, this minimum balance should be present in your account for the last 3 months, as seen on the bank statements that you will provide. 
      2. If your parents/guardians are also listed as owners on your bank account (i.e., it is a joint bank account), you do NOT need to provide any supporting documentation listed below. You will just need to submit the last 3 months of bank statements as described above. 
    3. Students who receive financial aid supporting your day-to-day expenses must present an official letter from their University stating amount of aid and time of disbursement. 
      1. EA note: If you are receiving financial aid to support your day-to-day study abroad expenses, the UMD Office of Financial Aid can provide a financial aid verification letter upon request. 
    4. If your parents/guardians are providing proof of support: You must submit relevant documentation of the parent/guardian sponsoring the trip with an ORIGINAL AND NOTARIZED Affidavit of Support (scans/copies are NOT acceptable), which must be presented together with:
      1. 1 copy of your (the student's) birth certificate (please do not submit original birth certificates)
      2. 1 copy of the parent’s/guardian’s passport 
      3. Copy of the parent’s/guardian’s) most recent bank statement (bank statement refers SOLELY to standard savings and checking accounts, NOT financial/investment accounts; they must be in the sponsor’s name and be current).

 

  1. Visa fee (non-refundable) 
    1. Provide money Orders or Cashier's checks ONLY, payable to “Embassy of Italy - Washington, D.C.”, with the applicant's name. Cash, personal checks, and debit/credit cards will not be accepted. Do NOT sign the back of the money order or cashier's check. 
    2. EA Notes: You can purchase a money order at the post office or a Western Union office. If needed, the address of the Embassy is: 3000 Whitehaven St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20008. Make sure your name is on the money order/check somewhere. 
    3. The Embassy changes the visa fee quarterly; the current visa fee, from October 1 - December 31, 2026, is $57.60.

Make copies of all application documents and keep them for your records!

 

For more information, please check out the following resources: 

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CONSULATE IN PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia Consulate does accept mail-in applications. 

 

Application summary/checklist - a quick guide checklist that you should mark off as you ensure things are complete and in order. Include this form on top of your application.

Detailed application instructions - This document breaks down each application requirement and includes a “Declaration for Mailing Passports” template.

  • Download their student visa application form here. Use black ink and write neatly in all capital letters if you complete the form by hand; the completed form must be notarized
  • Download the Affidavit of Support for the proof of financial means (if you're using a parent/guardian's bank statement/financial support) here
    • Only the most recent bank statement/bank letter is required for proof of financial means, whether you're using your own information or a parent/guardian's
  • You will need two envelopes for this application - the first for mailing all of your application materials to the consulate, and second for the consulate to return your passport with visa enclosed. Both envelopes must be USPS.
    • Envelope A - You are preparing and including this envelope with your application for the consulate to send things back to you.
      • This should be addressed to YOURSELF and an address where you are CERTAIN you will be able to receive your passport + materials back.
      • This envelope needs to be pre-paid
      • KEEP ALL TRACKING INFORMATION so you can track it later - take a picture, write it down, etc. 
      • Consider overnight or two day shipping, although this is not mandatory.
    • Envelope B - You will put your complete visa application + Envelope A inside.
      • Address this envelope to the CONSULATE. The consulate address is:
        Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia
        1818 Market St., Suite 910
        Philadelphia, PA 19103
      • Put your name and address in the SENDER (From) information. 
      • KEEP ALL TRACKING INFORMATION so you can make sure your visa application has made it to the consulate successfully once you mail it. Take a picture, write it down, etc.
      • Consider overnight or two day shipping; use USPS Priority Express

Please note that their current application fee is $57.60, payable by USPS money order only (you would include this in among your application materials, which you will mail to their consulate). KEEP YOUR MONEY ORDER RECEIPT (removable/perforated top portion of the money order). The visa application fee changes quarterly and is valid until December 31, 2026.

 

Updated: Oct. 19, 2026