Applying for a Italy Schengen Visa in the US – Italy Visa for Green Card Holders (2023)

With a 98.85% approval rate, getting a visa to Italy is easy if you are applying from the United States. In 2022, 9490 visa applications were received by the Embassy of Italy and its Consulates in the US. Taking into account that US passport holders visiting Europe are visa-exempt, the number of visitors to Italy is multiple times higher.

Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Italy?

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy, as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, for purposes such as tourism, business, short term studies, cultural or sports events, or medical treatment.

However, if you plan to work long-term, study, or move to Italy, you must apply for a National (D) Visa.

Starting from 2024, US citizens will need to register for ETIAS before travelling to Italy. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization which will allow all citizens who come from visa-exempt countries the opportunity to travel in the Schengen area without having to go through any visa application process. It will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Do Green Card Holders Need a Visa for Italy?

If you have a US Green Card, you might need a visa for Italy, depending on what passport you hold:

• If you hold a passport from a country that has a visa liberalization agreement with the EU, you don’t need a visa for Italy.
• If you hold the passport of a country which does not have visa liberalization with the EU, you will need to apply for a visa.

See if you need a Schengen visa to visit Italy

Who Can Apply for Italy Visa from the US?

You can apply for a Italy visa from the US if:

• You are a citizen of a country whose citizens need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. You must be a legal resident in the United States (e.g., Green Card holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.). Your residence must be valid for another three months after returning from the Schengen area.
• You are an American citizen who has previously been denied visa-free entry in Italy or any other Schengen country.

You should apply for an Italian in the United States if:

• Italy is the only country in Europe that you will be visiting.
• Italy is your primary destination. If you want to visit more Schengen states, you should make sure to spend more days in Italy, or at least an equal number of days as in the other countries that you will visit.

Tourists and visitors with US visa types B1/B2 and J1 Summer Work Travel visas must apply in their country of residence.

What Are the Types of Italy Short-Stay Visas Available for US Residents and Green Card Holders?

US residents can choose between the follwing Schengen visa types, depending on the purpose of entry to Italy:

• Italy Airport Transit Visa– if you will be transiting through an Italian airport, to reach your destination country, outside the Schengen Area.
• Italy Tourist/Visitor Visa– if you will be visiting Italy for holidays, sightseeing,or visiting friends and family members residing in Italy.
• Italy BusinessVisa– if you will be attending business-related activities in Italy.
• Italy for Official Visit– for Official Delegations coming to Italy on an official trip.
• Italy Medical Visa– if you will be seeking medical treatment in Italy.
• Italy Short-term Study Visa–if you wish to attend a short term course, for a maximum of three months at an educational institution in Italy.
• Italy Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews– if you will be attending a cultural or sports activity in Italy.

Requirements for Italy Visa from the US

You must collect the following documents before submitting an application for a Italy visa in the United States:

• Application form completed and signed. Application must be filled in with a blue pen. You can download the application form here.
• Valid passport. It should not be older than 10 years. A passport issued more than 10 years ago cannot be considered for the application (regardless if the passport is still valid/was prolonged). It should be valid for 3 months (at least after the expiry date of the required visa). It must have at least 2 blank visa pages, and make sure you have signed.
• Two photographs. Photographs that are in line with the Schengen requirements are necessary in order for your application to be complete. It should be passport-sized and no older than six months. The background should be white.
• Proof of residency. Green card (alien residence card) or residence visa valid in the US. Visa should be valid for re-entry into the United States of America if coming back to the US.
• Proof of travel arrangements.Flight reservation with booking ID, your name, the destination, and flight number are required. See here how to purchase flight tickets without paying the full price.
• Travel medical insurance document.You must provide a travel medical insurance document for Italy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 Euros or its equivalent in USD up to $50,000. The insurance policy for Italy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance Travel insurance policies issued by EuropAssistance are accepted by Italian embassies/consulates worldwide.
• Proof of accommodation in Italy.
• Cover letter. A cover letter is required in order to state the purpose of your visit in Europe, how long you intend to stay, the dates when you will be travelling, when you will return as well as any person/s who will accompany you (This includes family members, friends or business associates travelling for the same purpose)
• Payment of the visa fee. Once you submit your application and pay the visa fee, you must attach the receipt that you have paid for the fee with the rest of the documents.
• Proof of financial means. Evidence that shows you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy. This could be a:
  • Bank account statement.
  • Sponsorship Letter. When another person will be financially sponsoring your trip to the Schengen Zone. It is also often called an Affidavit of Support.
  • A combination of both.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
• Proof of employment.
  • If employed:
    • Employment contract
    • Current bank statement for the latest 6 months
    • Leave permission from the employer
    • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
  • If unemployed: If you do not work and are economically dependent on someone, you should provide a notarized letter from the person you’re economically dependent on, taking full financial responsibility for your travel and stay. They should also attach a copy of their valid passport and three last bank statements.
  • If self-employed:
    • A copy of your business license
    • Company bank statement for the latest 6 months
    • Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • For foreign students in the US on F1 visas:
    • Valid I-20
    • Reference letter from the educational institution (school/college/university) in the US, stating that you are in good standing, your major, and the expected date of graduation.
  • If retired
    • Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If visiting Italy for tourism or sightseeing

• Proof of accommodation in Italy. You must provide a detailed hotel reservation for the entire duration of your stay.
  • Hotel/hostel booking. With name, complete address, phone and e-mail, for the entire time you will be in Italy.
  • Rent agreement. If you have rented a place in Italy.
• Letter of tour organizer. If you will be travelling with a tour agency.

If visiting Italy to visit friends and/or family

• Proof of relationship with the host residing in Italy.
• Proof of invitation by the relative/friend residing in Italy, inviting you to visit.
  • Invitation letter from your host in Italy with a copy of their passport and/or residence permit for Italy.

If visiting Italy for business purposes

• Invitation letter from the companyyou will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
• A certificate from your employer. In this letter should be stated why you will be travelling to Italy.
• Business bank statement.Preferably for the last 6 months.
• Memorandum and Article of Association. It should be submitted in original certified copy (registered with joint-stock companies).
• Trade License(first issued and present renewal).
• Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in Italy, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

If visiting Italy for medical purposes

• A local medical report. Issued from a doctor/clinic/hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in Italy.
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Italy, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation.
• Payment receipt of medical fees.
• Official confirmationof the treatment/appointmentby the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in Italy.
• Proof that you havesufficient financial means to pay the medical expensesand other related expenses throughout your treatment.

Additional Required documents for visa application for minors

• Original birth certificate
• The Italy visa application form signed by both parents
• If the minor will travel alone: A notarized authorization to travel to Italy, signed by both parents/legal guardians
• If one parent is not located in the United States they should submit their signed consent to the Embassy/Consulate of their residing country

How Much Money Do American Residents Need to Have to Get a Visa for Italy?

The overall amount required for an Italy Schengen visa in the United States for stays up to 5 days for one person is EUR 269.60 (equivalent to USD 297.61)*, while for stays up to 10 days for one person, you’ll need EUR 44.93 (equivalent to USD 49.60)* per day.

As the number of days and number of visitors increases, the amount of financial means for an Italian visa changes as listed below:

*Currency exchange rate as of May 2023.

Where to Apply for a Italy in the United States?

To make an appointment for an Italian visa in the United States you need to register with the Online Appointment System at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

You should submit the documents and application at:

How Long Does it Take to Get an Italian Schengen Visa in the United States?

It takes at least 15 days to get an Italian Schengen Visa in the United States. However, in certain circumstances, such as when there is a high influx of visa applications, this period can be extended up to 30 days.

In exceptional cases, the processing time may take up to 60 days. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you apply for your short-stay visa as soon as possible, but not earlier than three months prior to your intended travel to Italy.

How to Pay the Italy Visa Fee From the United States?

You can pay the visa fee in the following methods:

• in cash
• via certified checks
• through postal money order

If the payment is made via postal money order, depending on where in USA you will lodge your application, the money order should be addressed to:

• “Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.”
• “Italian Consulate General Boston”
• “Italian Consulate General Chicago”
• “Italian Consulate General Detroit”
• “Italian Consulate General Houston”
• “Italian Consulate General San Francisco”
• “Italian Consulate General Los Angeles”
• “Italian Consulate General Miami, Florida “
• “Italian Consulate General New York”
• “Italian Consulate General Philadelphia”

The fees for a applying for a Italy visa in the United States are:

*Currency exchange rate as of May 2023.

Applying for a visa to other Schengen Countries from the US

• Applying for an Austrian visa from the US
• Applying for a French visa from the US
• Applying for a Slovenian visa from the US
• Applying for a Swiss visa from the US