Obtaining Italian VIsas

Congratulations on your admission to the SAIS Bologna Center!  Individuals who are not citizens of European Union member countries must obtain student visas in order to begin study at the Bologna Center. Johns Hopkins University will visit the local Italian Embassy in Washington, DC in early June to expedite the process of applying for Italian visas for students matriculating in Bologna this fall. We strongly encourage incoming students to take advantage of this arrangement. Spouses of students utilizing this service are welcome to forward completed visa applications to SAIS by the appropriate deadline to be delivered to the Italian Embassy on their behalf.

Individuals obtaining visas through Italian Consulates in other countries and U.S. cities have faced bureaucracies that cause frustration and, in some cases, jeopardizes prearranged departures for Italy. However, if residence or travel outside the U.S. will prevent you from relinquishing your passport during the summer months, SAIS will provide a letter of support to accompany your visa application. To request a letter of support from SAIS, please visit the following web-site: http://www.sais-jhu.edu/admissions/admitpack/visalettersupport.html.  If you have additional questions with regard to the above process, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions.sais@jhu.edu.

If you have any questions with regard to the visa application itself, please contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate you are planning to apply to for the Italian visa.

If you would like SAIS to deliver your visa application to the Italian Embassy, please send the items outlined below via express mail to the Admissions Office no later than May 31, 2011. SAIS will not be able to accommodate individuals who are unable to submit their applications by this deadline. Be sure to maintain photocopies of your passport and supporting documents before sending them through the mail.

Please submit the following materials:

1. Completed visa application, accessible at http://www.fas.usda.gov/admin/visa_requirements/forms/Schengen.pdf (see guidelines below).
   UPDATED 05/24/2011: The Italian government is now requiring those applying for student visas to use a national visa application form (rather than the Schengen form listed above): http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/NR/rdonlyres/0D7EBBD0-E034-4150-B502-21574445161D/42904/FormulariovistiDbilingue.pdf
         
2. One passport style photo (attached to the visa application in the appropriate spot).
        
3. Original passport valid for at least three months beyond your projected day of departure from Italy. Make sure you sign your passport at the designated place. You will need to have at least two blank pages in your passport to which the visa can be affixed. Your passport needs to be valid for the period of stay in Italy at all times.
        
4. Color photocopy of the ID page of your passport.
        
5. Documentation attesting to financial sustainability in Italy (Minimum: $1,400 for each month in Italy plus full tuition for the academic year).  Documentation can be a combination of any of the following:
   
   a.) All students: copy of Financial Aid Notification form issued by the SAIS Financial Aid Office, listing fellowhips and/or loans.
   b.) Self-sponsored students: official letter on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official, indicating your current account balance.
   c.) Students sponsored by parents: notarized Affidavit of Support stating that your parents will assume full financial responsibility for you during your stay and an official letter on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official, indicating your parents’ current account balance.
   
6. A cover letter, with the student's complete contact information, valid through July 30: First and Last Names, Return Mailing Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address.

Please note that the consulate reviews each visa application individually. SAIS cannot guarantee that the consulate will issue your visa, but we can assist you in the visa application process. Once an Italian visa has been affixed to your passport, your passport will be returned by mid July via express mail to the address you have supplied above.

GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING ITALIAN STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS

Please be sure to answer each question truthfully and to the best of your ability, as your signature testifies to the accuracy of the information you supply. The following points correspond to questions found on the required visa application and are intended as guidelines to assist you in completing the form.

1. Type of Passport: “National”
       
2. Border of Entry into the Schengen territory: “Italy” if you are flying directly to Italy from the U.S. or one of the states listed below if you are traveling in the Schengen* territory prior to your arrival in Italy.
       
3. Purpose of stay: “Study”
       
4. Visa Request for: “Long Stay”
      
5. Number of Entries: “Multiple”
       
6. Duration of stay: Aug 25, 2011 (for those attending Pre-Term) or Sept 28, 2011 through May 25, 2012 
            
7. Name and address of persons in the Schengen States* who can provide information:
      
   Amina Abdiuahab, Admissions
   Bologna Center
   Johns Hopkins University
   Via Belmeloro 11
   40126 Bologna
   Italy
   E-mail: aabdiuahab@johnshopkins.it
   Tel.  (+39) 051-2917-849 
   
8. Address during your stay: same as above (unless alternative has been determined)
       
9. Date of departure from the U.S.A.: Estimate 
       
10. Date of entry into the Schengen* area: Estimate
        
11. Italian port of entry and exit: Estimate (e.g. Milan, Rome, Bologna)

Please contact the Italian Visa Office at 202.612.4405, 202.612.4407, or visti.washington@itwash.org if you have further questions about completing the student visa application.

* Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden