We understand that applying for a visa is probably
a new experience for you and can add to the stress of going
abroad. Fortunately, the process will be made a bit simpler for
Discover Italy and Discover the World students for the fall 2012
semester, as the Italian Consulate has asked that all St. John's
students in these two programs apply using a group application
process. What this means for you is that instead of making an
appointment and going to the consulate yourself to submit your
application, you'll simply submit all applications materials to the
Office of Global Studies. We'll then apply on your behalf at the
group application appointment. We'll go over all you need to know
about the visa process during your Study Abroad Advising
Session. If, after your advising session, you have any
questions, concerns, or just want us to review your visa
application prior to your appointment please stop by the Office of Global Studies.
Please read the information below carefully! If you do not get a
visa, for any reason, you cannot attend the program. If you
are not a U.S. citizen, please see the section on
visa requirements for non-U.S. citizens.
Please note that all Discover the World
students are required to utilize the group visa process. However,
Discover Italy students are permitted to apply independently to
their local consulate if it is not the New York City consulate. For
more information on that process, contact the Office
of Global Studies.
Visa Steps and
Information:
Step 1: Complete the visa
application and collect all required documents
- Please use the Italian Visa Checklist
provided to you at your advisement session, as it contains details
regarding each requirement. We can only accept completed
application packets (this includes your passport) so make sure the
appropriate forms are notarized and you’ve made all the necessary
photocopies (we can help with the photocopying if need be). Follow
the checklist exactly and you shouldn’t have any issues!
- If you’re an EU citizen, please let us
know as you won’t need a visa for this program.
- If you are an international student
and/or have plans to leave the country this summer, please let us
know as soon as possible (before May 1) so we can try to
accommodate your plans.
Step 2: Submit your completed
application packet to the Office of Global Studies for
review
- You can bring your completed application
packet to the Office of Global Studies at any time but, to make
this process as seamless as possible for everyone involved, we’d
recommend you submit it in one of the following ways:
- Bring the completed application packet
(along with your passport) to your OGS advising session
appointment.
- Bring your completed application packet
(along with your passport) to the Send-Off Soiree on Saturday,
April 28. The office will be open at the end of the session and
we’ll have OGS staff available to review and accept your completed
visa application packet.
- Stop by the office during walk-in hours
9:00am - 4:00pm (Monday – Friday on the Queens Campus, Monday –
Tuesday on the Staten Island campus) to submit your completed
application packet. Please note the Staten Island office will be
closed after May 8.
- Visiting students can mail the completed
visa application packets (along with your passport) to our office.
Please use a certified mail service (make sure you get a tracking
number) and address it to:
Sara
DeFilippi
Office of Global Studies
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
- If you live out of state, it’s important
that you try to complete this application prior to the end of the
semester to avoid having to mail any of the required
documents.
Step 3: Pick-up your passport with
affixed Italian visa
- Passports will be available for pickup
during the first week of July. We’ll email students as soon as
passports are available to pickup. Passports can also be mailed to
you if you live out of state or out of the area but we’ll need to
know beforehand. We’ll obtain mailing information at the time of
review of your application.
Please let us know if you have any
questions regarding the group visa process. We look forward to
working with you!