Italian Student Visa Packet: Consulate General of Italy in New York

Updated September2023

Italian Student Visa Packet:

Consulate General of Italy in

New York

For Group Submission

Group submission allows a representative from Syracuse Abroad to collect the passports and

application materials from our eligible students and submit them to the consulate for processing.

This consulate is for students whose zip codes falls under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of

Italy in New York. Your assignment is based on your home or school address.

Before you begin:

• Ensure you have a passport valid for at least 6 months after your program ends.

• If you need your passport for travel anytime between October 1 and the start of the program,

do not submit your visa application documents to our office for the group submission. You

will need to apply for your visa independently. Contact us immediately for more information.

• Visa application due date: Friday, October 6, 2023

• Main contact:

o Katie Wells, Florence Visa Coordinator

315-443-9425, [email protected]

• International students cannot apply through the group submission. If your home school is in

New York State, Connecticut, Bermuda, or one of the following New Jersey Counties: Bergen,

Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex,

Union, Warren, you should apply independently through the New York Consulate. Please

submit a copy of your I-20 or Green Card with your other paperwork. If you are on a F1-visa,

make sure it is valid at least 3 months after your Florence program ends.

• Students with European Union citizenship traveling with their EU passport do not need a visa.

Please make sure your EU passport is valid for at least six months after the program end date.

• Full year students: If there is any chance that you may decide to stay a second semester with our

program, you should get a visa to cover both semesters in advance. If you do not, you will have

to return to the US during the break and apply for a new visa for the second semester. Please

Updated September 2023

Rules for Submitting Your Italian Visa Application:

• Make sure your passport is signed in PEN!

• Respect the deadline!

All documents must be postmarked by the deadline, sent in one package if possible. If you miss

the deadline, we can’t guarantee you to be part of the group submission and you may have to

submit your application independently.

• Print all documents single-sided only.

• Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or tape on any portion of your application.

• All forms with handwritten sections must be legible and written in black or blue ink.

• All photos, photocopies and scans must be clear and easy to read.

• You may print and photocopy in black and white or color.

• You may use the forms in this packet or download them from your OrangeAbroad Portal.

• Make copies of all documents for your records and reference.

o Note: Especially keep a copy of the ID page of your passport.

• Mail applications through a courier service with tracking information (FedEx, UPS, USPS

Priority).

IMPORTANT: Please do not, under any circumstance, contact the consulate

regarding your visa application.

As you are part of our group submission, the consulate requires that all contact regarding

the group submission must come from Syracuse Abroad

Mail or bring completed visa documents to:

Syracuse Abroad

ATTN: Italy Visas

106 Walnut Place

Syracuse, NY 13244

Updated September 2023

Checklist of Required Visa Documents

These documents are mandatory, no exceptions will be made.

The following documents must be mailed or brought to Syracuse Abroad:

□ 1. Official SIGNED passport (signed in pen)

□ 2. One official passport photo (taken within the last 6 months), with your name

written on back

□ 3. Photocopy of your Driver’s License

□ 4. Italian Visa Application Form (with 3 signatures)

□ 5. Bank Letter/Proof of financial means (see page 10 for details)

□ 6. Enrollment Verification Letter from your home university (non-SU students

only)

□ 7. Visa Fee: money order made out to Consulate General of Italy in New York

□ 8. Photocopy of your student ID card

□ 9. Pre-paid shipping label (for us to ship your passport back to you)

□ 10. Copy of round-trip flight itinerary

□ 11. Designation Form: permission for Syracuse Abroad to travel with your

passport

Remember to keep a copy of all documents for your records!

Updated September 2023

1. Your Official Passport

The consulate requires your official passport SIGNED in pen in order to place the visa inside as a

permanent page. This visa confirms the official approval of your stay in your host country and is

required for any student not of European Union citizenship.

**If you do not have a passport or your passport will expire within six months of your program

ending, apply for/ renew your passport immediately, using the expedited service!**

Syracuse Abroad strongly recommends that you have your passport application expedited to ensure

your new passport arrives in time to apply for your visa with the group. If you do not use the expedited

service and your passport does not arrive until after the deadline, we cannot guarantee that you will be

able to be part of the group submission.

Applications for passports and passport renewal can be found online at Travel.State.Gov.

2. One Official Passport Photo

The consulate requires a separate photo to create your visa. The photo

should reflect your current appearance and should be less than six

months old. You may have official passport photos taken at the post

office, drugstores and other stores for a fee. The photo should feature

only you in front of a white background. You may not take the photo

yourself. Only send one photo with your visa application, but keep the

extra photos and bring them with you to Italy. Please write your name

clearly on the back of the photo.

3. Copy of your Driver’s License or State ID

Your Driver’s License or State ID confirms your home

address. Please copy it onto a blank sheet of paper and

ensure the copy is clear and legible. For those going to

school in NY but from a different state, a Driver’s License

or State ID from another state is acceptable.

Updated September 2023

4. Visa Application Form

To print a blank copy of the application form, please click here or in your log into your OrangeAbroad

Portal. Please fill out each page exactly as it is filled out on the sample (pages 6-9 in this packet) with your

appropriate information. There are three signatures required on this application and you must complete

all for the application to be complete.

Please refer to this page when answering questions 25, 29 and 30 of your visa application.

Number of Days for Spring 2024 (question 25)

Question 25: Program

Number of Days

SU Florence Center

SU Florence Center: Studio Arts, Architecture, Engineering, Design

106 days

SU Florence Center & Intensive Language Program at University of Florence

109 days

SU Florence Center & Direct Enrollment at University of Florence (courses

taught in Italian)

151 days

Program Dates for Spring 2024 (questions 29 and 30)

If your arrival/departure dates differ from the program dates, please answer question 29 & 30 based on

flight itinerary.

Question 29: Program

Arrival Date

SU Florence Center & Intensive Language Program at University of Florence

Arrive 7 January, 2024

SU Florence Center

SU Florence Center: Studio Arts, Architecture, Engineering, Design

SU Florence Center & Direct Enrollment at University of Florence (courses

taught in Italian)

Arrive 10 January, 2024

Question 30: Program

Departure Date

SU Florence Center

SU Florence Center: Studio Arts, Architecture, Engineering, Design

SU Florence Center & Intensive Language Program at University of Florence

Depart 24 April, 2024

SU Florence Center & Direct Enrollment at University of Florence (courses

taught in Italian)

Depart 8 June, 2024

Updated September 2023

5. Bank Letter/ Proof of Financial Means

The Consulate requires proof that you have financial means to reside in Florence by presenting the

consulate with an original, signed bank letter from a U.S. bank or financial institution. Syracuse Abroad

cannot waive or alter this requirement. All students must provide documentation of their funding that is

readily accessible in a checking or savings account. The bank letter should be in the student’s name

only (no parent or joint bank accounts will be accepted). See the requirements below and sample

bank letter on the following page.

Statements from retirement accounts, 401k and stock portfolios are NOT accepted by the Italian

consulates. Bank letters regarding US checking and savings accounts are accepted.

Accessible amounts required (amounts add up to approximately $50 per day in Florence):

• Center semester students: approximately $5,500

• Academic year students: approximately $10,000

**NOTE: Some programs vary in length. Please use the chart on page 5 to determine the length of your

program and multiply the number of days by $50.

The format of the letter is basic, but should convey the following:

• YOU (the student) are the only account holder

• Amount must total $50 per day abroad (see amounts above)

• The specified funds are present in your account at the time the letter is generated

Guidelines for the bank letter:

• Letter(s) must reference U.S. checking or savings accounts only.

• Letter(s) must be original and look as official as possible:

o Copies, scans, and faxes are not accepted.

o Letter(s) should be on the bank’s original letterhead and have a signature of a

representative if possible.



Note that some large national banks (such as Chase or Bank of America) may

only provide an electronic Bank Letter and some do not provide signatures.

• Letter(s) must be dated as close to the visa deadline as possible.

• You may combine accounts from different institutions to reach your required amount.

• Bank statements are NOT accepted.

Updated September 2023

United States Bank of Syracuse

123 Main Street

Syracuse, NY 13210

September 12, 2023

To The Honorable Italian Consulate General:

This letter certifies that the title of the following accounts reflects [your name here] as an account holder.

The above mentioned balance(s) is accurate as of [today’s date].

Sincerely,

John Doe

Bank Teller and Customer Service Representative

(315) 555-2252

John.Doe@USBS.com

Example of a

Bank Letter

Updated September 2023

6. Enrollment Verification Letter from Home University

For Non-SU students only*. Obtain this letter from your school’s registrar’s office; it should confirm

that you are enrolled full time at your home university, and should contain your anticipated graduation

date. Letters from National Student Clearinghouse will not be accepted.

Send the original letter with a stamp or seal, copies will not be accepted. If your school would rather

send your letter directly to Syracuse Abroad, please contact our team.

*If you are an SU student, you do not need to do anything for #6 on the checklist. We will be

obtaining this letter on your behalf.

7. Visa Fee: By Money Order

The Italian consulate charges a fee for a long stay student visa. Please submit a money order made out to

the Consulate General of Italy in New York for the exact fee amount (fees change quarterly based on

exchange rate; new fee info will be available after October 1. You will receive an email after October 1

with details). Money orders can be purchased at your local post office (preferred) or at some drugstores.

8. Photocopy of Your University ID

Your University ID card provides proof that you are a full-time

student at an accredited university. Photocopy your University

ID card onto a blank sheet of paper. See sample at right.

Updated September 2023

9. Pre-Paid Shipping Label

Your passport will be mailed directly from our office back to you, after the visa has been secured. You

must provide Syracuse Abroad with a pre-paid UPS, FedEx, or U.S. Postal Service label WITH

TRACKING INFORMATION in order to have your passport and visa returned to you. You do not

need to provide Syracuse Abroad with an envelope, just the label. Below are the directions on how to

create a label through UPS. If you do not have immediate access to a printer, you can save the label as a

PDF file and print it later. If you choose a USPS mailer, we recommend Priority Mail Express or the

Express Overnight Mailer for fastest service.

Go to www.ups.com

Select “ship” from the quick start menu

1. Where are you shipping from?

a. You are shipping FROM Syracuse Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, Syracuse NY 13244,

315.443.3471, [email protected] (check the box to send status updates to this

email address)

b. Continue

Where is your shipment going?

c. This is where you want your passport RETURNED. Usually this will be your home

address. Enter those details, including your personal information, here.

d. Continue

2. What kind of packaging are you using?

a. From the drop down list, select “UPS LETTER”, weight 1lb, declared value $190 USD

b. You can add a reference number or other options if you like, but it’s not required

c. Continue

3. How would you like to ship?

a. Select “I’ll drop off my shipment or include it in another pickup.” Skip the estimated ship

date.

b. From the selection of boxes shown, disregard the dates listed and choose the box that

says “UPS 2

DAY AIR”. You can choose next day air if you prefer.

c. Continue

4. Almost done. Let’s check a few more details.

a. What are you shipping? Enter a descriptor such as “Italian visa”

b. Add your personal email address so you can receive notifications of your passport’s

whereabouts. Select any other options you wish.

c. Continue

5. How would you like to pay?

a. Select payment card and fill out your billing information.

6. Review the details; if everything is correct, click “PAY AND GET LABEL”.

Updated September 2023

a. If you can’t print the label out right away, save it as a PDF so you can print it later. The

label is available for printing for 24 hours. If you wait longer than 24 hours, you will

have to call UPS customer service for assistance to print the label.

IMPORTANT:

Although we will do everything in our power to help you locate a missing package,

Syracuse Abroad cannot be responsible for shipments that are wrongfully delivered or lost by UPS.

It is UPS policy to require a signature for a package unless otherwise instructed and to leave

packages in a secure location. However, we unfortunately have no control over individual drivers

and whether they adhere to UPS policy.

Syracuse Abroad recommends that you track your package when you are notified that your

passport has been sent. If you have special requirements for delivery (a specific door, ringing the

doorbell, etc.), these must be addressed by you as the customer with UPS.

For greater control over how your UPS shipment is delivered, please consider signing up for the

UPS My Choice service. You can receive alerts regarding the package and can provide further

instructions how you would like the package delivered (leave inside a side door, reschedule, bring to

a different address, etc.). Read about this service here.

To sign up, use this link: https://wwwapps.ups.com/doapp/signupmychoice?loc=en_US

Please contact UPS Customer Service at 800-PICK-UPS (800-742-5877) with your tracking

number if you have questions about the delivery of your package or to file a claim for a missing

package. You may also file a claim from your online account.

Updated September 2023

10. Confirmed Round-Trip Flight Itinerary

To obtain a visa, students must provide proof of entry and exit from Europe. You must provide

confirmation that you have purchased a round-trip ticket to Italy and out of the Schengen Area

(explanation on the following page). Make a copy of the flight confirmation from the airline, agent or

travel agency. This must include all legs of your flight and confirmation that you purchased the flight.

Suggested flight info from our preferred travel agency, Advantage Travel of CNY, was shared with you

in mid-September. If you book your flight through Advantage Travel, we will get your itinerary directly

from them. Please ensure that you purchase your flight before the visa deadline.

You are responsible for researching whether you need a visa for any independent travel before, during

or after the program.

Updated September 2023

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area includes the countries listed below. You will be able to travel freely in these

countries within the dates of your program and/or visa.

• Austria

• Belgium

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Hungary

• Iceland (not EU)

• Italy

• Latvia

• Liechtenstein (not EU)

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Netherlands

• Norway (not EU)

• Poland

• Portugal

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland (not EU)

Updated September 2023

11. Designation Form

Please sign and print this page, and include it with your visa application documents. This form explains

that you grant us permission to submit your visa application on your behalf and obtain your passport

with the visa from the Consulate. This is for Syracuse Abroad internal use only and will not be

submitted to the Consulate.