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Apply for an Entry Visa

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Apply For An Entry Visa

  • Current visa information is posted for Spring 2024 semester programs to Rome, Italy and Paris, France. The guidelines and materials provided here are to assist students with their visa preparations; however, students need to verify all visa requirements on their own prior to their visa appointment.
  • Looking for some general information about the entry visa process? Check out this great video here on an overview of the entry visa process!

Visa Application Process

  • All students are responsible for submitting their visa applications directly to the Italian Consulate in NYC (or another city for out-of-state residents) or a VFS Global Center for France.
  • Students pursuing an Italian visa should schedule an appointment with the Italian Consulate as soon as possible to provide the consulate with sufficient time to process your visa and return your passport with affixed visa prior to departure. 
  • Students pursuing a French visa should schedule an appointment with VFS Global as soon as possible (but no more than 90 days prior to your program start date, to provide VFS Global with sufficient time to process your visa and return your passport with affixed visa prior to departure.

To begin, click your country of visa application below and read the instructions carefully! If you do not secure the required visa(s), for any reason, you will be unable to participate in the study abroad program and will be subject to the refund policy here.

Important Note about International Travel Prior to Studying Abroad: Due to the processing time of the consulates, you will most likely receive your passport with affixed visa up to 6 weeks or more after your scheduled appointment with the Italian Consulate in NYC; or 6 weeks or more after your scheduled appointment with the VFS Global Center for France. Do not plan any travel outside the U.S. until you know the date of your visa appointment and confirm the processing time with the Italian Consulate or VFS Global center.

If you are a U.S. citizen, and have already booked international travel, you may be able to apply for a second U.S. passport for this trip. Please see our Second Passport Guide for additional instructions. If you would like to apply for a second U.S. passport you must contact [email protected].

Additional Considerations for Non-U.S. Citizens

The Office of International Education recommends that any non-U.S. citizen students with related questions schedule an advising appointment with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and OIE. 

Non-U.S. citizens will need Proof of Legal Residence in the United States to re-enter the U.S. at the end of the program: for permanent residents, a Green Card (valid until at least 6 months after the program end date); for international students, a U.S. visa (valid until at least 6 months after the program end date) and a Form I-20 signed by ISSSO prior to departure (valid through date of SJU graduation). Non-U.S. citizen students cannot secure a visa for their study abroad program without Proof of Legal Residence in the U.S. that is valid until at least 6 months after the program end date.

All non-U.S. citizens will need to meet with OIE to discuss their individual situations; email OIE at [email protected].

Visa Document Review (VDR) Session

There are many required documents needed to secure a visa, and this is your first step towards learning how to take the initiative to navigate consulate requirements. This process is a great way to begin developing key skills and competencies that will carry with you not only during your study abroad program, but throughout your career. We know you might feel overwhelmed at times, but OIE is here to help!

All students applying for a visa are recommended to participate in a 30 minute Visa Document Review (VDR) Session for OIE to review your visa application. There are 3 types of VDR appointments listed below:

        1. Online: You have a set day/time to meet via WebEx with an OIE advisor.

        2. In-person: You have a set day/time to meet face-to-face with an OIE advisor in Marillac 210.    

        3. E-review: You will upload your visa documents and receive emailed feedback (see note below) 

            Click here to schedule your VDR appointment. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Important VDR notes: for each type of VDR appointment, students need to upload their materials to the "Visa Document Review Submissions" questionnaire in their OIE student portal. For option #3: OIE needs a minimum of 2 business days to review uploaded visa materials.

Visa Document Review (VDR) Session Dates:

Rome Semester Programs:

  • For Fall semester travel: VDR dates are from March 15 to June 22
  • For Spring semester travel: VDR dates are from October 1 to December 1

Paris Semester Programs:

  • For Fall semester travel: VDR dates are from March 15 to June 22
  • For Spring semester travel: VDR dates are from October 1 to December 1

If you would like to schedule a VDR session outside of the dates above, please email OIE at [email protected].

More Visa Information

Program: St. John's Semester in Rome

Step 1: Schedule an appointment with the Italian Consulate in New York between July 16 and December 15

All students are responsible for submitting their visa applications directly to the Italian Consulate in NYC (see note below for out-of-state residence). Please remember to schedule your visa appointment ASAP as appointment slots fill up very quickly! Review the Italian Visa Application Checklist in Step 2 below for instructions on how to book your visa appointment for the Italian Consulate in NYC through their website.

Not applying for a visa in NYC? If you reside in a state outside of the Italian Consulate in New York’s jurisdiction, you will need to research the visa application requirements of the Italian Consulate in your state’s jurisdiction and have them reviewed by OIE during your VDR session. The Italian Consulate in New York’s jurisdiction covers residences in New York, New Jersey (Counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren), and Connecticut.

Not sure which Italian Consulate to make your appointment with? Students enrolled full-time at St. John's University meet the residence requirement for the Italian Consulate in New York. However, if you are interested in applying at a different Italian Consulate, click here for a list of Italian Consulates in the U.S.A and their jurisdictions (Note: you must prove that you are a resident to apply within a certain jurisdiction).

Step 2: Complete the visa application and collect all required documents for the VDR session between October 1 and December 1

Please use the Italian Visa Application Checklist below, which contains details regarding each visa application requirement. If you choose to participate in an VDR, OIE will review the documents that you will submit to the Italian Consulate for your visa application (this includes your Passport). Follow the Checklist exactly and you shouldn’t have any issues!

Please note: If you have secured an Italian visa appointment that is scheduled before October 1 and would like to attend a VDR session, email us at [email protected] and we will work on finding a time to review your materials.

Below are 2 videos that we recommend watching as you begin the Italian visa process!

If you are not applying at the NYC Italian Consulate, the visa application, declaration for mailing passports, and overall requirements will be different. Students must check their local Italian Consulate on their requirements and documents to use. See information in Step 1 above on applying for an Italian visa outside of NYC.

Step 3: Upload your completed visa materials to the "Visa Document Review Submissions" questionnaire in your OIE student portal for review by OIE between October 1 - December 1 (see above for scheduling an VDR session)

All Rome semester study abroad students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to meet with an OIE advisor for a VDR. When scheduling your appointment, please keep in mind that you should have all visa application documents completed and uploaded by your VDR session date. If your materials are not uploaded in time for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule. See above for scheduling a VDR session and the types of appointments available to you.

Step 4: Provide your visa application documents and passport to the Italian Consulate

Attend your scheduled appointment with the Italian Consulate to submit your completed visa application documents and passport.

Step 5: Receive your passport with affixed Italian visa

Passports (with the affixed Italian visa) will be returned directly to you by mail from the Italian Consulate in NYC. Processing time should be between 2 and 6 weeks. Please confirm processing time during your visa appointment.

Program: St. John's Semester in Paris

Step 1: Complete the Campus France registration process 

In order to apply for a French student visa for St. John's Semester in Paris, you first need to apply for and receive clearance from Campus France (part of the French Government). This clearance can take up to 3 weeks, so get started now!

Use this French Visa Application Checklist (Spring 2024) à Part 1 (to guide you through the Campus France and VSF Global process)

Important: OIE will upload your study abroad acceptance letter to your OIE student portal (this acceptance letter is a requirement of Campus France).

Below are three videos that we recommend watching as you begin the Campus France application. 

    Step 2: Schedule an appointment with VFS Global that is between October 16 and December 16, 2023

    The French government requires that all students participating in a Spring 2024 Paris semester program submit their visa applications directly to a VFS Global Center. You may submit your visa application at any of the following VFS Global Center locations:

    • New York City
    • Atlanta
    • Boston
    • Chicago
    • Houston
    • Los Angeles
    • Miami
    • San Francisco
    • Washington D.C. 

    Step 3: Complete the visa application and collect all required documents

    You may also find the French Visa Application Checklist below helpful, as it contains important tips on how to complete your French visa application. Once you've prepared all your visa materials, we strongly encourage students to schedule a VDR session- see Step 4 below.

    Step 4: Schedule and attend an VDR session (optional) with an OIE Advisor between October 1 and December 1.

    All Paris semester study abroad students are recommended to schedule an appointment to meet with an OIE advisor between October 1 and December 1. 

    When scheduling your appointment, please keep in mind that you should have all visa application documents completed and ready to be reviewed by your VDR session date. You should expect the session to last 30 minutes.

    Please see above for additional VDR scheduling information.

    Step 5: Receive your passport with affixed French visa

    Passports (with the affixed French visa) will be returned directly to you from VFS Global. At the end of your visa appointment, you will receive instructions on how you will be notified to pick-up your passport and visa. It generally takes 6 weeks for visas to be processed and ready for pick-up. However, due to Covid-19 processing time may take much longer.

    Step 1: Schedule an appointment with the Italian Consulate in New York

    All students are responsible for submitting their visa applications directly to the Italian Consulate in NYC. Please remember to schedule your visa appointment ASAP as appointment slots fill up very quickly! Review the Short-Term Italian Visa Application Checklist for instructions on how to book your visa appointment for the Italian Consulate in NYC through their website.

    Step 2: Complete the visa application and collect all required documents for the Visa Document Review (VDR) Sessions

    Please use the Short-Term Italian Visa Application Checklist as it contains details regarding each requirement, so that OIE can review all of the documents that you will submit to the Italian Consulate for your visa application (this includes your passport and proof of legal residence in the U.S.). Follow the Checklist exactly and you shouldn’t have any issues!

    Step 3: Provide your completed Visa Application packet for review by OIE during one of the VDR sessions at least two weeks prior to your Italian Consulate appointment date

    All non-U.S. citizens participating in a Short-Term program are strongly encourage to meet with an OIE advisor at least two weeks prior to your Italian Consulate appointment date. During the appointment, an OIE advisor will review your completed visa application documents.

    When scheduling your appointment, please keep in mind that you should have all visa application documents completed and ready to be reviewed by your VDR session date. You should expect to the session to last 30 minutes.

    Sign up for an VDR session by emailing OIE at [email protected]. See above on this page for full details on what types of ODR sessions are available.

    Note: Your verification letters required for your Italian visa application will be uploaded to your OIE student portal. Please let OIE know the date of your visa appointment, so your letters can be uploaded in time for you to print them for your visa appointment. 

    Step 4: Provide your visa application documents and passport to the Italian Consulate

    Attend your scheduled appointment with the Italian Consulate to submit your completed visa application documents and passport.

    Step 5: Receive your passport with affixed Italian visa

    Passports (with the affixed Italian visa) will be returned directly to you by mail from the Italian Consulate in NYC. Processing time should be between 4 and 6 weeks. Please confirm processing time during your visa appointment.

    Most students who are not U.S. citizens will need to secure two visas to study abroad on the Western Europe Semester (WES) program: (1) an Irish visa, and (2) either a French or Italian visa.

    Please contact [email protected] as soon as you confirm for the program to discuss your next steps. Travel for non-U.S. citizens in the Schengen territory and Ireland is dependent upon your country of citizenship.

    Non-U.S. citizens will also need Proof of Legal Residence in the United States to re-enter the U.S. at the end of the program: for permanent residents, a Green Card (valid until at least 6 months after the program end date); for international students, a U.S. visa (valid until at least 6 months after the program end date) and a Form I-20 signed by ISSSO prior to departure (valid through date of SJU graduation). Non-U.S. citizen students cannot secure a visa for their study abroad program without Proof of Legal Residence in the U.S. that is valid until at least 6 months after the program end date.

    All non-U.S. citizens will need to meet with OIE to discuss their individual situations; email OIE at [email protected].