Travel & entry information

Students are responsible for booking their own visa appointment and completing the application process directly with the Italian Consulate of their jurisdiction. Visa appointments should take place between June and August 1 at the latest, allowing enough time for processing to be finalized before the program begins.

Visa processing typically requires submitting your passport to the consulate and may take one to two months, during which time international travel will not be possible.

To study in Italy legally, the Italian government requires specific documentation, including but not limited to:

• An approved Italian student visa, stamped inside your passport.
• A passport valid for at least one year after the end of your program, with at least one fully blank page.

The American University of Rome will provide a visa letter confirming your enrollment and housing arrangements. This document will be mailed to the address listed on your Start Abroad application and must be included as part of your visa application.

Click here to view a general walkthrough of visa documents. Please note that required materials vary by consulate, so students must confirm the full list of required documents directly with the Italian Consulate of their jurisdiction.

Students who hold an EU passport are not subject to the 90-day/180-day Schengen limit. However, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm this information with the Spanish consulate to ensure compliance with all entry and travel requirements.

Students are responsible for scheduling their own visa appointment and completing the application process directly with the Italian Consulate of their jurisdiction.

No. During visa processing, your passport is usually held by the consulate, which means international travel will not be possible.

Yes. The American University of Rome will provide a visa letter written in Italian confirming your enrollment and housing arrangements. This letter will be mailed to the address listed on your Start Abroad application.

You may view a general walkthrough of visa documents here. However, requirements vary by consulate, so you must verify all materials with your local Italian Consulate.

The Start Abroad team can share general information. However, official immigration guidance must come directly from the Italian Consulate of your jurisdiction.

Students with an EU passport are not subject to the 90-day/180-day Schengen limit. However, it is your responsibility to confirm entry and travel requirements with the appropriate consulate to ensure compliance.