Visa Department
Email visti.losangeles@esteri.it
Phone: For general information please call the operator at operator Tel. (310) 820-0622 from Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 to 3:30 pm
To make an appointment please register and book your appointment on our online portal PRENOT@MI
You must apply for the visa at least three weeks (and not more than ninety days) prior to the departure date.
Visa applicants must make an appointment and must appear in person to submit their visa request.
As of May 15, 2014, fingerprinting is requiredfor persons applying for a Schengen Visa (up to 90 days). Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this requirement. Data will be recorded in the VIS central database, in accordance with the highest data protection standards, for a maximum of 5 (five) years and, during this period, they will be copied from the VIS database for subsequent visa applications.
You must submit ALL the required documents. Incomplete visa applications will not be accepted and will be returned without processing. The application form must be completely filled out and legible.
SCHENGEN STUDY VISA
Study Program for up to 90 days
The Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles will accept visa applications from legal residents of ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, NEVADA and the following counties in the state of CALIFORNIA: S.Luis Obispo, Kern, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial Valley, Orange
(The following requirements are not applicable to students younger then eighteen)
THIS VISA IS TO BE OBTAINED ONLY BY CITIZENS OF COUNTRIES THAT REQUIRE A VISA FOR THE SCHENGHEN TERRITORY
Applicants must submit the following documents in 2 sets – one original and one photocopy:
1) Passport or other official travel document valid for a period of 3 months beyond your last day of stay in Italy. The passport must not have been issued more than 10 (ten) years ago and must have at least two blank pages on which the visa can be affixed.
2) Original and a photocopy of your valid Driver's License or State ID issued by California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico. Full-time students may also use their original Student ID, along with a photocopy of it. If you submit your original and a photocopy of your valid Driver's License or State ID issued by California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico (Driver's License or State ID issued by other States are not accepted), you moved and have not updated your Driver's License or State ID from California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico, you must submit a current (same, if available, or previous month of your appointment) bill of water, gas or electricity (other types of bill are not accepted). We may requested additional documents as proof of residence.
3) One Schengen Visa application form, completely and clearly filled out, online and printed in HIGH RESOLUTION to be signed by the applicant in the presence of a Consular Officer. If an applicant presents himself/herself without this specific form they will be requested to leave and make a new appointment. For those that are unable to fill in the online form due to technical difficulties, please contact visti.losangeles@esteri.it.
4) Two recent passport size photographs (2x2 inches in size, full face, front view, white background). Scanned or photocopied photos are not accepted.
5) Letter from your College or University stating that you are attending that College or University and that you will take a course or participate in the program offered by the academic institution in Italy.
6) Complete documentation on the course or cultural program that will be attended. One of the following:
- An official letter of acceptance from an Italian academic institution.
- A letter of acceptance from an American academic institution stating that you have been accepted and admitted to its center in Italy. The letter must be addressed to the Consulate General of Italy, must indicate the address of the center in Italy, the period of study by date and bear the seal of that institution.
- A letter of acceptance from an American academic institution providing for the Study Abroad Program, and a letter of acceptance from the accredited academic institution in Italy. Both letters must be addressed to the Consulate General of Italy, must indicate the address of the center in Italy, the period of study by date and bear the seal of that institution.
Students applying for full-time enrollment or “corsi singoli” at an Italian University, must first contact the Education Department of the Consulate General of Italy.
Visas will not be issued for private school programs in basic language instruction.
7) Proof of sufficient funds to cover the expenses of your planned stay: bank account statement(s) for the last three months showing name and address of owner (s). (A minimum of $ 1,000.00 per each month of stay in Italy is required.)
8) Provide letter or certificate from insurance company showing coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs and repatriation for medical reasons, for the days you are outside the United States. Insurance coverage must not be less than 30,000 Euro.Travel insurance can be purchased from a travel agent or online
Provide letter or certificate from insurance company showing coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs and repatriation for medical reasons, for the days you are outside the United States. Insurance coverage must not be less than 30,000 Euro. IF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSURANCE ARE NOT FULFILLED THE VISA CANNOT BE ISSUED.
9) Proof of lodging for the entire stay abroad, if not included in the letter of acceptance from the Italian institution.
10) Round-trip flight reservation to begin the process. If traveling to Italy by land (train, bus, automobile), provide itinerary and state name of border of entry into Italy. IF THE RETURN LABEL IS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY (FOR EXAMPLE IF THE CONSULATE APPEARS AS THE SENDER) IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
11) Current document of identity (Driver License, State I.D., student I.D.)
12) Provide a self-addressed (from yourself–to yourself) pre-paid/stamped envelope (Express Mail, FedEx), if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you. The authorization form to mail back the passport must be filled out.
13) For MINOR applicant/s, one of the parents must submit the visa application on behalf of him or her (the minor does not have to come in the Consulate if younger the 12 years) along with documents mentioned on n. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (parents’ bank account statement(s) and notarized declaration of financial responsibility for trip), 7, 8, 9, 11,12, 13 of this list of requirements.
The following documentations is also required:
- Authorization to travel abroad signed by both parents. The signatures must be authenticated by a Notary Public if the parents are in the United States, or by an Italian Embassy or Italian Consulate if the parents are outside the United States.
- Birth certificate translated in English, and the translation must be authenticated by the local Consulate General of the country of birth.
- Notarized copies of both parents’ picture I.D.
14) PAYMENT METHOD: Money Order or Cashier's Check (payable to the Consulate General of Italy – Los Angeles) for the exact required amount. Please refer to the Handling Fees for the exact amount. Cash payment will be accepted only with previous authorization
15) Original passport with previous Schengen Visas (if applicable) and photocopy of each Schengen Visa and of the page of your passport showing your personal information
Timetable for submitting your application: Please submit the visa application at least 3 weeks and at most 90 days prior to your departure date. Rush processing is not possible.
The Consular office will evaluate the documents submitted and may request additional ones at its discretion. Furthermore, you should also be aware that submitting the required documentation does not automatically guarantee the issuance of a visa.
