Son going to study in Rome this spring. Does he need to go to an Italian Embassy in person to acquire a Visa? Thank you.

How long is his stay. He needs a visa for more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Yes, he will be there longer than 90 days. He will be at John Cabot University.

Can John Cabot University offer no help in this matter?

I am hoping the university will help, although by their website you are directed to the Embassy site and it says to apply in person. Just wondered if someone may have some insight.
Also, Ellen, would you know any sites for apartment rentals in Rome? I just finished reading your wonderful trip reports. We are planning to visit in March. This will be our first trip to Italy.

Yes, he will need to apply in person for a visa. My daughter studied in Rome her spring semester and she applied for it over Thanksgiving break when she came home. The embassy in DC was not terribly organized and they have very specific hours when she can come in to apply for a visa.

Sorry, I can't offer apartment site ideas--I've never rented one--although this group of apartments is in a great location and gets good reviews.

http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/

Louisa wrote: The embassy in DC was not terribly organized and they have very specific hours when she can come in to apply for a visa.

This is true of most Italian bureaucracy that I've dealt with--the opening hours are very particular.

Here's a US State Dept link that has helpful info and links for travelers to Italy:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1146.html

For student visas for most countries, you are required to go in person to the consulate nearest your home address. Sometimes you are allowed to go to one near your college. When DD was getting her student visa for Spain, it took multiple trips over the course of six weeks or so. Luckily, she was allowed to go to the Boston consulate (where she was going to school) as the closest to her home address (KY) was in Chicago which would have been quite a trek. Here's the link for the Italian consulates.
http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it...+consolare.htm

And the visa info.
http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp

When DD called the Spanish consulate in Boston, she wasn't prepared for the phone to be answered in Spanish. She had quite a bit of Spanish, but it threw her off a bit. So don't be surprised if that happens when you call.

Agree that most countries allow/require you to go to a consulate near your home rather than the embassy - which would be a royal pain. The Italian gov website should clarify that for you. Many will coordinate with the embassy in DC, but we found the consulate very helpful when our daughter studied in Europe last year.

Well, after some phone calls, my son will have to go to the Italian Embassy in New York City. There is a consulate in my home town but he cannot apply there. Has anyone navigated through this process? Thanks to all, these forums really help

I've studied in France before and had to go through this process. Your best bet would be to first call the Italian embassy to find out which documents and fees are required, and then call the school to get the documents they need to provide for you to bring to the embassy to apply for the visa.

Note that it's likely they only take cash (no CC/checks).
Also they may require prepaid health insurance, this might already be provided by the school through their program but they need to provide a letter stating proof of health insurance including expatriation option, and the letter needs to be in the native language -- in your case, that is Italian. In other words, cannot be in English.

I remember I had to go to the French embassy about 3-4 times before they finally were able to issue me a visa (there was always some little problems here and there, with the documents or having insufficient info), so I suggest that you start this process EARLY.

Just a tip -- go to the embassy to apply for the visa early in the morning, as soon as the embassy opens. If they open 8am - 11am, go at 7:45am and wait right there. You'll likely be the first one in, and if there's a problem, you'll have more time to fix it and come back the same day.

Also I remember when I applied for my French visa I was required to provide an official bank statement (not a copy!) stating the balance in my bank account. (for obvious reasons)

There is no Italian Embassy in NYC; there is the Permanent Mission to the United Nations. It has an ambassador, but no consular section. Visas are issued by consular sections or consulates.

The only Italian Embassy is in Washington, DC. There are a number of consulates general that issue visas, including one in NYC. Here is the list:
http://www.esteri.it/visti/rilascio_eng.asp

You and your son would do well to read the requirements and obtain the necessary documentation well in advance:
http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp

There is further information about the application process and the documents required here:
http://www.johncabot.edu/Admissions/..._Students.aspx