Unpacking the dream of studying abroad can be exciting, but visa and passport requirements can quickly become confusing. This guide gives students what they need to navigate international travel documents. Whether embarking on a semester at SRISA or a full-year program, we’ll provide a clear roadmap for visa and passport preparation.
New passports or renewal of old passports
Applications for new passports or renewals should be completed months ahead of departure. It is possible to expedite (travel between 4 to 8 weeks) for an extra $60 fee plus overnight postage.
Below are the basic requirements for passport application. Specifics may vary from one region to the next so be sure to contact your post office directly to find out all details.
Make sure your passport is valid for six months after your travel date. For further info, check the U.S. Department of State: Travel.
New passports
Documents needed:
- Completed application form (these can be obtained and will eventually be filed at your local post office or you can download them online at www.traveldocs.com.
- 2 professional passport photos
- Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, social security)
- $165.00 government fee (as of 2025)
Passport Renewals
- Completed application form
- 2 professional passport photos
- Most recent passport
- $165.00 government fee (as of 2025)
More information about Passports can be found here.
We recommend that you do not wait to the last minute for obtaining all of your travel documents!
Obtaining a Student Visa for Italy
U.S. Students enrolled in a SRISA program with a duration of less than 90 days (e.g., summer program) do not need to apply for a Student Visa. They only need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date they plan to leave Italy.
If a student is enrolled in a SRISA program for more than 90 days (e.g., a semester program) they must obtain a student visa through the Italian Consulate that serves their jurisdiction.
Since visa appointments and processing times can take several weeks, it is important to begin as early as possible, regardless of where you are in your enrollment journey. If you start early and review all the material available to you, the process becomes much more manageable and helps ensure you receive your visa in time.
- U.S. students should visit the Italian Consular Network page for more information.
- Non-U.S. students must inquire with the Italian Consulate that services their jurisdiction within their home country. Click here for more information about how and where to apply.
Getting Started
To help simplify the process, follow these key steps:
Step 1: Identify Your Italian Consulate
Visit the website of your assigned Italian Consulate for the most accurate, location-specific requirements and begin your application right away.
Applications must be submitted through the Consulate that has jurisdiction over:
- Your permanent home address, or
- Your full-time university enrollment location
Step 2: Book Your Visa Appointment
Schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible (or confirm if notarized mail-in applications are allowed).
- Choose a date 60–180 days before your program start
- If appointments are required but none are available, book the earliest option and check daily for cancellations
- Do not delay as appointments fill quickly, and processing takes 6–8 weeks or more
Note: It is the student’s responsibility to gather all required visa documentation listed on their Consulate’s website. Check below for the basics to get started.
Stay Connected for Support
If you are working with a study abroad advisor, stay in close contact for guidance throughout the process.
You are also welcome to contact our U.S. Admissions Office at (210) 340-2675 or admissions@srisa.org if you would like assistance reviewing your steps.
Do not delay—you will be glad you started early.
Most Italian consulates have a visa application fee of around 56 USD (as of 2026). Make sure you have everything requested, plus photocopies.
Basic Student Visa Requirements
Below is a general list of requirements for obtaining a student visa for Italy. Remember that each consulate has specific rules and regulations regarding visas. Students must check the website of their specified consulate for complete information. For example, if a students lives in New Hampshire, consult the Italian Consulate of Boston that services New Hampshire. Consulates can be very strict and extremely bureaucratic.
- Long Term Student Visa application form (D)
- Recent passport-style photo
- Valid Passport at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Italy
- Proof of residence in the jurisdiction of the consulate (ID, Driver’s License)
- Proof of enrollment in the course of study (Enrollment letters in English and Italian provided by SRISA)
- Proof of lodging in Florence (Housing letter in English provided by SRISA)
- Affidavit of Support/Proof of financial means
- Affidavit of Health Insurance
- Round trip flight reservation
NOTE: This is just a guide. Students should go by what their specific Italian Consulate requests.
Applicants Who are Minors
For minor applicants, the following certification is needed:
- Authorization to travel signed by both parents. Parents can either appear in person in front of the Visa Attache’ or send a notarized consent.
- Birth certificate, original or a notarized copy
- Notarized copies of both parents’ picture I.D.
Any foreign documents MUST be translated into English and the translations legalized by the competent consulate.
Permit of Stay and Declaration of Presence
Students staying for one semester will file a Declaration of Presence free of charge. SRISA facilitates this process during orientation.
Students studying in Italy for more than one consecutive semester are required by law to apply for a Permit of Stay. The Permit of Stay costs approximately 220 Euro, to be paid directly to the organization that assists with this paperwork. If a student is an EU citizen of a Schengen country, a Permit of Stay is not needed.
In all cases, students must have health insurance coverage while in Italy.
The following materials are required to apply for the Permit of Stay and should be brought with the student when they come to Italy:
- Permit of Stay Application (online form provided by the organization that assists with this paperwork.)
- Your official passport
- 1 photocopy of the photo page of your passport
- 1 photocopy of the visa page of your passport
- 1 photocopy of your enrollment letters (stamped by the Italian Consulate)
- 1 photocopy of your health insurance policy or card covering your full stay in Italy
Only photocopies are needed, not originals, but students should have access to the original documents as well.
For Non-U.S. Students
Depending on your citizenship, if you wish to study with SRISA and you do not belong to the European Union you may need to obtain a student visa for Italy regardless of length of stay. You will need to contact the Italian Embassy or Italian Consulate General in your country to obtain information. SRISA will only provide non-U.S. students their official letters of enrollment to present to the Italian Consulate once full payment has been made. If your consulate requests additional documentation from SRISA, you may contact our office for assistance. Each Consulate has specific rules and regulations regarding their visas, therefore we recommend that you contact your specified Consulate.
THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES NEED A STUDY VISA FOR PERIODS UNDER 90 DAYS:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua e Barbuda, Arabia Saudita, Armenia, Autorità Palestinese, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bielorussia, Bolivia, Bosnia-Erzegovina, cittadini britannici che non hanno la qualità di cittadino del Regno Unito di Gran Bretagna ed Irlanda del Nord ai sensi del diritto comunitario, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambogia, Camerun, Capo Verde, Centrafrica, Ciad, China, Colombia, Comore, Congo, Congo (rep. Democratica), Corea del Nord, Costa d’Avorio, Cuba, Domenica, Dominicana (Repubblica), Ecuador, Egitto, Emirati Arabi Uniti, Eritrea, Etiopia, ex-Repubblica Iugoslava di Macedonia, Fiji, Filippine, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Giamaica, Gibuti, Giordania, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Equatoriale, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakistan, Kenia, Dirghizistan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Libano, Liberia, Libia, Madagascar, Malati, Maldive, Mali, Marianne del Nord, Marocco, Marshall, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambico, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua-Nuvoa Guinea, Perù, Qatar, Repubblica Federale di Iugoslavia (Serbia e Montenegro), Ruanda, Russia, Saint Kitts e Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent e Grenadine, Salomone, Samoa Occidentali, Sao Tomè e Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Siria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sud Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tagikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailandia, Timor Orientale, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad e Tobago, Tunisia, Turchia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ucraina, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
List Of Italian Embassy And Consulates: www.embassypages.com/italy
ITALIAN EMBASSY – Consular Section WASHINGTON, D.C. (For U.S. students)
3000 Whitehaven Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Homepage: https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/la-rete-consolare/
Tel.: +1 (202) 612-4400
Email: washington.imbamba@esteri.it