Chapter 1: Before You Go Abroad

To enter and remain in Italy, you must obtain three documents:

1. a Passport
2. a Visa (which you must get before leaving the U.S.)
3. a Permesso di Soggiorno (which you will get in Italy)

Please read this section carefully.

Passport

All students traveling abroad must have a passport. If you do not have a passport, you need to get one immediately. Since you will also need to obtain a visa, and you must have a passport to apply for a visa, time is of the essence. You can obtain a passport application at most post offices or online at http://travel.state.gov, and the process takes approximately 6-8 weeks. Alternately you can contact the U.S. Passport Agency nearest you. You may be told that you cannot expedite a passport because you aren't leaving until a certain date. Your response should be that you must apply for a visa.

Do you have a passport already? IMPORTANT: Italy requires that your passport be valid for six months beyond the dates of your trip. Keep this in mind, in case you need to renew your passport.

Keep a photocopy of your passport and give a copy to your parents/guardian to hold. Also, bring a photocopy with you to Florence, and keep it separate from your passport. If you lose your passport while you are in Italy, contact the U.S. Consulate in Florence immediately. Bring your photocopy with you; it will make getting a replacement much easier.

Visa

The Italian Government requires that ALL STUDENTS attending school in Italy obtain a visa, no matter how short their stay. In light of world events, the Italian Immigration Service has dramatically tightened up its requirements, and it is no easy task to get a visa.

We realize the difficulties that students can experience during the visa process, so we have been given authorization by the Italian Consulate to obtain visas on your behalf of students who are full-time students in New England and the State of New York. If you qualify on that basis, you will still need to fill out some forms and obtain documents, pay careful attention to detail and get your documents in by deadline, but we take care of the rest. We provide the rest of the documentation, and you do not have to pay a fee or make a personal appearance at the consulate.

Students who attend schools outside of New England and the State of New York are responsible for obtaining their own visas. Go to www.esteri.it/visti/rilascio_eng.asp to find the Italian consulate in your area; go to their website to find information on applying for a visa.

Student Visa Checklist
If you are a New England or New York student, click here, print this page & send it with your documents to our office.

Permesso di Soggiorno

The Permesso is a "permission to stay" in Florence. It is a required document, issued by the local Questura (police). It is not difficult to get a Permesso if you bring the right documents with you.

Be sure to bring the following items with you:

• 4 passport-sized photos. These must be identical, and they must be signed on the front side of the photo. The signature must go from the front lower right-hand corner to the top right-hand corner.
• Around 123 EUROS to purchase Italian health insurance (Even though you will be covered by the policy Fairfield University provides, the permesso is more easily obtained if you buy this additional insurance. It's worth the extra cost.)

Upon arrival in Florence, you will be directed to purchase the health insurance, which is available at the post office, as well as a special stamp (marca da bolla).  Our staff will guide and help you through the process.

Pre-Departure Vaccinations

We suggest that all our participants get a check-up from their primary physician and dentist before leaving for Florence. It is important to be in reasonably good health for your stay in Italy. No special shots are required for travel in Western Europe. However, an up-to-date tetanus booster and vaccines for meningitis and hepatitis are a good idea at home and abroad. Talk to your doctor.

Medications and Allergies

If you require allergy shots or medication, bring a complete supply with you. Keep your medications in their original bottle just in case the customs office has questions about them. If you cannot bring a full supply of necessary medications with you, it will be necessary to see a doctor in Italy to obtain a new prescription.

If you suffer from severe allergic reactions, we request that you carry a signed copy of the doctor's orders in the event an emergency rises. Please make your roommates and friends aware of where you keep this paperwork in order to ensure speedy and proper care. If you have serious food allergies, be especially careful when eating out - and learn the name of your "problem" food in Italian, so you can ask.

International Student ID Cards (ISIC)

You will receive an ISIC card as one of the benefits of the Laurea Program. ISIC cards provide discounts, additional medical insurance, emergency assistance while traveling, and discounts.