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    • Obtaining Italian Visas

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Obtaining Italian Visas

Individuals who are not citizens of European Union member countries must obtain student visas in order to begin study at the Bologna Center.

The SAIS Visa Service
Johns Hopkins University will visit the local Italian Embassy in Washington, DC in late May 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.

Both spouses and children of Bologna-bound students are also welcome to utilize this service.  Incoming students who wish to acquire their spouse's and/or children's visa applications via the SAIS visa service are strongly encouraged to contact the Admissions Office in advance of submitting any paperwork.

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 complete this form.

If you have additional questions with regard to the above process, please contact Erin Cameron, Associate Director of Admissions, at erin.cameron@jhu.edu or 202.663.5702.

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 20, 2013. 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 national visa application, accessible online here (pre-populated with some Bologna Center contact information, dates, etc.).
  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:
    1. All students: copy of Financial Aid Notification form issued by the SAIS Financial Aid Office, listing fellowhips and/or loans.
    2. Self-sponsored students: official letter on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official, indicating your current account balance.
    3. 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.

OBTAINING YOUR VISA ON YOUR OWN
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 complete this form.

Please note that many Italian consulates require appointments for visa applicants, and these appointments can fill up quickly, so it is important to request your appointment as far in advance as possible.  Please note that processing times vary; getting your visa could take anywhere from a week to more than a month.

When completing your visa application and compiling your documentation, please follow the instructions in the previous section.  All consulates will require the documentation listed above, along with the Letters of Support. If you are going to a consulate outside of Washington, DC, it is recommended that you contact them in advance to confirm which documents they will require as part of the application process.

THE ITALIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON
For additional information about obtaining visas, including contact info and hours, please visit http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Washington/Menu/In_linea_con_utente/Domande_frequenti/Visti_faq/

If you cannot come to the Italian Consulate in DC, you can find your local Italian consulate here:
http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Washington/Menu/Informazioni_e_servizi/La_rete_consolare/La+rete+consolare.htm

INTERNATIONAL CONSULATES
If you are working or doing an internship abroad during the summer, the Italian consulate in your host country may be willing to process your visa, but this is up to the discrepancy of the individual consulate.  If you plan to acquire your visa from a consulate outside of the U.S., you should contact that consulate as soon as possible to find out if they will process your visa, and what additional paperwork they may require.  If the international consulate refuses to process your visa, you will need to return to the United States to obtain your visa before traveling to Italy.