GROUP VISA APPOINTMENT

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

This guide is for students planning to participate in the group visa appointment. Before beginning this process students should review the group visa section of the pre-departure website to ensure eligibility to participate in the group appointment. It is the responsibility of the student to understand the limitations of the group appointment process as well as their responsibilities for submitting the necessary paperwork as directed.

The next few pages will assist you in preparing your visa application. There are two types of documents required for the visa those prepared by (or at the request of) the student, and those prepared by Marist Italy.

You will find a visa document checklist on the next page of this document, the checklist contains a list of all of the items you need for a complete visa application, as well as clarification on which documents are the student’s responsibility and which documents Marist will provide. Under each item on this checklist are notes regarding the submission and preparation of that specific item. Be sure that you read and follow these notes or your application could be rejected.

The next section of this document contains a partially prepared copy of the 4 page visa application and instructions on how to complete the application. Take note that the phrasing of questions on this application could generate various answers. We have provided line by line instructions that clarify the intent of each question. Important things to note as you prepare your application:

THE CONSULATE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS WITH WHITEOUT OR CROSSOUTS. Be sure that you are careful in completing the application. If you make a mistake, start a new application.

Applications should be completed in Black pen. Do not use colored ink or pencil Print clearly in block letters. Some boxes are small for the desired text so print carefully.

Finally, we have provided some guidelines on the financial soundness requirement. This is probably the most complicated part of the visa process. The directions for this are specific, so please read them carefully. We suggest bringing the sample letters with you to your financial institution when requesting your letter. This process can take time, as some financial institutions will not process the letters in the branch, so allow yourself time to navigate the infrastructure of your particular institution.

GROUP VISA APPOINTMENT

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL 2016

MONDAY, MAY 30

Documents may be submitted in one of two ways: Documents may be shipped to the school. Marist Italy strongly urges students send these documents via a registered or trackable shipping method such as Fed Ex, DHL, UPS or Express US Post. Be sure that the package is correctly labeled for delivery to:

Marist Italy Programs, Marist College, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Documents may also be delivered in person. To deliver documents in person to the Marist Italy office in Poughkeepsie, please contact Diane Ralston at 845.575.3330. Appointments are available between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday to Friday.

Failure to submit a correct or complete application may result in your application not being included in the group appointment. Be sure that you have read and completed your application as directed on the website and this packet.

GROUP VISA APPOINTMENT CHECKLIST

DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY STUDENT

Passport

Signed

Verify Expiration is 3 months past return

Must have at least 2 completely blank pages

Application (4 Page Application Form)

No cross outs

All Fields completed as instructed

Signed and dated on page 4

Passport Style Photograph

This must be an actual passport style photo that meets all of the passport photo regulations outlined on the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs Website (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/photos/photos.html)

Do not submit a photo with other people in it or with a landscape background

This photo must be in color and on photo quality paper

Color Copy of Front Page of Passport

This is NOT the cover of your passport; it is the page of your passport with your personal data and photo.

Color Copy of Driver’s License or State ID Card

If you do not have a government issued ID or driver’s license, please contact your program liaison to discuss possible substitute documentation.

Students who are legal residents of the U.S. also need to provide copies of their green card or residency papers.

Letter of Financial Soundness (Bank Letter)

This letter must be an ORIGINAL, issued on bank letterhead and must contain a bank officers signature.

Student’s name must be on account as account holder (no joint accounts)

The letter must show a minimum of $13,500 for academic year students and $5,000 for 1 semester students.

Not all banks will issue this letter in the branch, so give yourself ample time to organize this request.

Personal Credit Card Statement

An official statement from the credit card company with the student listed as the card holder—this must be an actual statement not a computer printout of your credit card activity

The statement must show the credit limit

The credit card may be part of a join account so long as the statement lists the student on it as an account holder

Money Order for $56.00

This should be made payable to the Consulate General of Italy

They will only accept money orders, no personal checks, cash or credit cards

Visa Document Request Form *** Signed and sent back in ORIGINAL copy

DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY MARIST ITALY Upon receipt of your original signed visa document request form, Marist Italy will produce the following:

Certificato D’Iscrizione (Letter from Italian University)

Proof of Lodging

Marist Sponsor Letter

Verification of Enrollment

Health Insurance Letter

Color Copy of School ID ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR STUDENTS WITH PREVIOUS SCHENGEN VISAS

A copy of your permesso or the receipt for filing for the permesso

Copies of prior visas

NY ITALIAN CONSULATE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS PAGE #1 1. Surname (s) : Your last name. If you have hyphenated last name or two last names please put both. 2. Surname (s) at birth: If your current last name is different than your last name at birth (maiden name or, adoption, etc…) enter

the last name that appears on your birth certificate. 3. First Name : Your first name 4. Date of Birth: Your date of birth 5. Place of Birth: The city & state you were born in 6. Country of Birth: the country you were born in 7. Current Nationality: Your current citizenship (not ethinic origin); if you have dual citizenship note the nationality of the passport

on which you will be traveling. 7a. Nationality at Birth: if different from 7 put your nationality at birth. 8. Sex: gender 9. Marital Status: Married, Divorced, Single, Separated, or Widowed 10. Guardians Information: Only for students who are under 18 years of age 11. ID Number: leave blank 12. Type of Passport: Most of you will have an ordinary passport 13. Document Number: Your passport number 14. Date of Issue : The date passport was issued 15. Valid Until: The expiration date of passport 16. Issued By: Most U.S. passports will be the U.S. Department of State. This information is on the personal data page of the pass-

port in the middle of the page on the right side 17. Applicants Home Address & E-Mail Address: Your permanent address and Marist e-mail address. 17a. Telephone number: your home phone number 18. Residence in a country other than your country of origin, have you permission to return to that country: Leave this blank unless

you are in the U.S. on a student visa, green card or other type of visa. 19. Current Occupation: Student 20. Employer’s Information: Marist College, 3399 North Road Poughkeepsie, New York 12601 USA 21. Purpose of Journey: Study

PAGE #2 22. City of Destination: The city that you will be living and studying in - for most of you it is Florence 23. Member State of First Entry The first Schengen country you arrive in. E.G. - If the plane’s first stop is in Munich, write Germany. 24. Number of Entries: Multiple 25. Duration of Intended Stay: length of your school program. From the first day or orientation to last day of school. (note early

arrivals and late departure days are not counted in the student visa) FFE & UG Freshmen = 269 | UG Transfers = 266 | MA = 275| 26. Schengen Visas issued in the Past 3 Years: If you have received a visa to work or study in any of the Schengen countries you will

need to supply the country and dates of the visas. If no leave blank 27. Have you been fingerprinted for a Schengen Visa: 1st time visa applicants answer no. Previous Schengen visa holders who were

finger printed for the Permesso process, mark yes and note the date of your finger printing. 28. Entry Permit for final country of destination: This should be left blank as Italy is your final destination 29. Intended Date of Arrival into Schengen Area: This is the date of your flights arrival. 30. Date of intended departure from Schengen area: The date of your departure flight. 31. Name of Person in Italy/Employer: 31 has 3 boxes - 1st box write: Marist-LdM, Via Faenza 43, 50123 Firenze, Italia. Leave the

second two boxes blank. 32. Name of Host Company/Organization: 32 has 3 boxes - 1st box: Lorenzo de Medici /Marist 2nd Box: T +39.055.287360 | F

+39.055.2398920 3rd Box: Marta Cantalamessa, Registrar College Programs | Marta@lorenzodemedici.it | Via Faenza 43, 50123. 33. Costs of Trip are Covered By: In box on left side check boxes marked: Myself, Cash, Credit Card, Prepaid Transport. In box on the

right side of the page Check second box for “Other” write next to “Other” - Marist College. Then check the boxes for accommoda-tion provided, Other. Next to “other box” write Prepaid Tuition.

PAGE #3 34.—37. EU Family Member - For the purpose of the study visa this section will be left blank. Note one of the statements references a visa fee. There is no visa fee for a study visa. The second statement discusses the use of the information provided in your visa applica-tion. Be sure you read this carefully. PAGE #4 On page 4 you simply need to complete the last two boxes at the bottom of the page.

Place and Date: The location (City and State) where the application was completed and the date on which it was completed.

Signature: ALL STUDENTS MUST BE 18 to APPLY FOR STUDENT VISA SO EACH STUDENT SHOULD SIGN HERE.

PROOF OF FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS

(BANK LETTER)

As of Fall 2016, the Italian Consulates in the United States are requiring that students produce a bank letter that verifies

that students have approximately $50 in an account for each day they be in Italy. Based on current calculations stu-

dents will need to show the following totals:

FFE, Undergraduate and Master’s Degree students (staying 1 or more academic years) = $13,500

The Letter Format:

This letter must come from a bank or other financial institution, and must be an ORIGINAL document (no copies or

faxes), on bank Letterhead, signed by a bank representative.

The consulate will NOT accept a statement. Proof of Financial soundness must come in letter format. The letter

For tips on drafting the bank letter please see the following page.

The account must list the student as primary account holder.

The consulate has provided a format and preferred text for the creation of this letter. Marist Italy highly advises

that you take this sample with you to your financial institution and request the letter in the recommended format.

Meeting the Minimum

Realizing that these sums are large amounts, and understanding that each student has a different economic status we

have provided some suggestions on how students and their families can meet this request:

1. You may use multiple accounts noted on one letter from the same institution or multiple accounts from different

institutions (multiple letters) that total the amount noted for your particular program.

2. Students may use any combination of bank account types including Savings, CDs, Money Markets, college saving

plans, 401Ks and investment accounts, so long as these accounts are in their names

3. The funds shown is this letter are not frozen, nor does the Consulate advise how long the funds need to remain in

the account. The request is simply to show proof that the funds exist.

4. If you have concerns regarding this component of your visa application please contact your program liaison

immediately.

PROOF OF FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS - LETTER SAMPLES

$13,500.00

$13,500.00

CREDIT CARD STATEMENT

This requirement is new as of Fall 2016. Currently, our understanding is that the Consulate is asking every student to

have a credit card in their name.

Each student must show a credit card statement. This must be an actual statement. If you receive e-statements for

your credit card you will need to make sure that this is a PDF statement printed on high quality paper. The consu-

late will not take a print out of your credit card activity, and any electronic documents used will need to look like

the type of statement mailed to your home.

The credit card may be part of a joint credit account. However, the students name and card information will need

to appear on the statement. If the statement only lists the primary credit card holder and it is not the student, the

consulate will not accept it.

Visa or Mastercard Debit cards will not be accepted. The credit card used must show a credit limit.

While the Consulate is requiring proof of a credit limit, they have not given a minimum required credit limit.

VISA PROCESSING FEE / MONEY ORDER

Fall 2016 is also the first year that the Italian Consulate will charge for a student visa.

This fee amount is subject to change based on currency conversions. As of May 1, 2016 the fee is $56.00

All fees must be paid by money order. No cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted.

Money orders must be addressed to:

Consulate General of Italy, 690 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10065

RETURN OF GROUP VISA APPOINTMENT DOCUMENTS

REMINDER: Marist Italy does not have control over the date on which the consulate will return the visas to the College. Students planning on traveling internationally prior to the program departure date (as noted on the academic calendar) should carefully consider participation in the group visa appointment.

Once all group visa applications have been reviewed, processed, and released back to Marist Italy, we will notify

students via Marist e‐mail.

Via Courier: Students who elected to have their documents shipped back to them will need to arrange for pre‐paid

return shipping. This can be done via eShipGlobal's University Express Mail Service (UEMS). By logging into the UEMS

weblink https://study.eshipglobal.com/ you may choose a shipping company, type of shipping (e.g. overnight or two

day) and indicate the location to which you want the documents delivered via UEMS. UEMS then sends the pre‐paid

labels to Marist Italy. Payment for the service is made online through the UEMS secure website. You are responsible

for understanding the “estimated delivery” times on the UEMS website as they pertain to your travel dates.

In Person Pick Up: Students who opted to pick up their documents in our Poughkeepsie office , or who did not com-

plete the shipping request component of the visa document request form will be given instructions on where and when

they may pick up their Documents once they have been returned to Marist from the Consulate.