Consulate of Italy in Chicago

If you go to the Italian consulate’s website, you won’t be able to get a visa appointment for 2 - 3 months!
  • If you're a tourist and you've planned your vacation, you're looking forward to it, you and your family have taken time off from work, but you didn't realize that it would take 2 - 3 months to get your visa. Now you may have to change your plans, change your destination, or maybe even cancel your vacation entirely.
  • If you (or your child) are a student, you could miss the visa deadline for your study abroad program, and you will have to wait until next year, or maybe even lose your spot at the university.
  • If you’re a businessperson, you might not make it to your destination in time for an important business meeting.
We can help you get a visa appointment much earlier and you can book it right now, on our website. We have special software that automatically checks for cancellations and new openings for visa appointments at the Consulate of Italy in Chicago.
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General Information

Study Visa Requirements
Visa Application Form for long term stay (91 to 365 days). Visa Application Form for short term stay (1 to 90 days). Please notice that all the names appearing on the passport must appear on the application form (all data must match those on the passport). The form must be dated and signed in front of a Visa Officer at the Consulate General or, if mailed, only in front of the Honorary Consul/Consular Correspondent (not Notary Public). For minor applicants, please consult appropriate link on website. Recent passport-size photograph (1.2”x1.5” or 3x4 cm), on white background, full face and front view, stapled/glued to the application form. Scanned or photocopied photos will NOT be accepted; Valid passport plus 1 copy of the page with photograph and expiration date. The passport or travel document must be valid at least three months after the visa expiration date. Please make sure the passport has at least two blank pages to affix the visa. For non-US citizens: original and copy of Permanent Residence Card or other US immigration document allowing re-entry into the United States (e.g., valid long-term US, Advanced Parole, etc.). The US Residence permit or visa should be valid at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen territory. International students must also submit original and copy of F-1 Visa and valid re-entry ("travel") signature on I-20. Please provide copy of old passport if US visa is affixed there. Original and copy of Driver’s License or State ID as proof of residence in the jurisdiction of this Consulate General. Full-time students may also use original and copy of Student ID. If you recently moved and have not updated your ID, you must submit another proof of current address (e.g., utility bills, bank statements, etc.). Original and copy of the official letter of acceptance from an accredited academic institution in Italy. The letter, on the institution’s letterhead, must be addressed to the Consulate General of Italy and specify the period of study, the full-time enrollment (at least 20 hours per week), and if tuition and room/board are covered in full. For Study Abroad students: original and copy of letter of enrollment from home academic institution addressed to the Consulate General of Italy, indicating the student’s current status (full-time in good standing) and expected date of graduation. This letter must be accompanied by the letter of acceptance into the Study Abroad Program (original an copy), when this is sponsored by a different US College or University. For non-Study Abroad students: original letter from home academic institution addressed to the Consulate General of Italy indicating the student's current status and expected date of graduation. If no longer studying, provide copy of transcript. In addition you must show proof of payment in full of the course you will attend in Italy and proof of accommodation. For enrollment in Italian Universities for "Corsi di Laurea" or "Corsi Singoli": before you can apply for the study visa, you must have complied with the regulations on Universities pre-enrollment registration, posted on this website under Consular Services/Students/University enrollment. For Internship: applicants must present in original and copy an INTERNSHIP PROJECT (Progetto Formativo e di Orientamento), drawn up by the hosting Italian company or organization (Soggetto Ospitante) and formally approved by the competent Regional or Provincial Office (Soggetto Promotore) on the basis of an existing agreement (Convenzione di Tirocinio). The Progetto Formativo must conform to the guidelines found in the Ministerial Decree n. 142 of 25 March 1998 (Decreto Interministeriale n. 142 del 25 marzo 1998 per Tirocini formativi e di orientamento). Study/Internships Visas can only be issued in the presence of available yearly quotas. Proof of financial means. The three most recent bank statements or a letter from a US banking institution, on the bank’s letterhead, signed by a bank official and with a recent date, indicating account balance (a minimum of $ 1000.00 per each month of stay in Italy is required). Students who receive financial aid must present an official letter from their University stating amount of aid and time of disbursement. Affidavit of Support. If the applicant doesn’t have own funds because supported by the parents, one or both parents must submit an affidavit of support with the bank statement (see Proof of financial means). The Affidavit must be signed in front of the Visa Officer if the parents come with the applicant to the interview, or notarized by a Notary Public. Proof of health insurance coverage abroad: (1) Certificate issued by the health insurance company or by the Study Abroad Program, stating that the student has minimum coverage of $50,000 for hospitalization, emergencies, evacuation and repatriation; (2) Affidavit of Overseas Health Insurance. This statement must be signed by the student in front of the Visa Officer or notarized. Proof of lodging if not included in the letter of acceptance from the Italian Institution. Confirmed flight reservation for a round trip. If your stay is longer than 6 months, you can present a one-way ticket together with proof of available funds for the purchase of the return ticket. Return envelope: required in the event that applicants cannot collect the passport with the visa in person. Please provide envelope of UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES EXPRESS MAIL or PRIORITY MAIL with a tracking number, pre-paid and self-addressed. Consent to send by mail.
Making Appointments
All citizens of the US and other countries residing inside the US can seek for a Visa to enter Italy via an online appointment. Because multiple applicants are applying for visas and appointment at the same time, the Consulate usually advises to repeatedly check the online appointment system at regular intervals. Moreover, before applying for a visa, it is important to check if you need a visa to enter Italy or any of the Schengen region countries. All applicants should start seeking appointments three months prior to planning to travel to Italy. The offices are usually closed on Fridays, and applications can be submitted Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.
What to Bring on the Day of Appointment
On the day of the appointment, all applicants MUST show the following for the appointment to move forward: • A self-addressed, prepaid envelope that carries prepaid labels combined with a barcode or stamps, including a tracking number, • A photocopy of above mentioned self-addressed prepaid envelope. • All Applicants irrespective of their visa type must also present the Declaration for Mailing Passports duly filled out. It specifies that you as an applicant are responsible for the mailing of your passport and the Consulate General of Italy in New York is NOT responsible for the loss or damages to your passport while it is in transit. The Visa Office at the Consulate General of Italy in New York only accepts prepaid priority envelopes provided by the U.S. Postal Service. They do not accept prepaid priority envelops from FedEx or UPS.
Types of Visas You Can Apply For
Based on your nationality, country of residence, length of stay and the reason for your stay, you can apply for any of the following Italy Schengen Visas. All US residents holding Green cards should seek a visa before entering Italy. US Passport holders can travel to any EU/EEA or Schengen Zone country with a visa for no longer than 90 days within a 6 months period. • Business Visa • Student Visa • Tourism/Airport Visa • Family Reasons • Independent Visa • Residency
Types of Documents Needed
Although there is a variety of document that an applicant needs to present before the application process and interview starts, the following list of documents is mandatory and should be provided by all: Tourism • The Italian visa application form printed and signed by the applicant. All information provided here should reconcile with the documents provided. • Two identical bright colored backgrounds, 35x45mm photographs that are not older than three to six months. • A valid passport with validity beyond three months, and not older than ten years. It should have at least a minimum of two empty pages. • Non-US citizens should show a valid US INS visa, Alien Registration Card, State Driving License, up to three-month utility bill payments, or State income tax returns. • A Schengen travel visa insurance that covers your health and medical emergencies during your visit to Italy and all of the Schengen countries intended to visit. The minimum health coverage is 30,000 Euros. • All proof of travel should be provided with return flight itinerary showing the date of travel, return and flight numbers. • Proof of hotel accommodation and reservations. If the applicant wishes to stay at a friend or family member residence, a letter of invitation should be attached. • Proof of economic means in eh form of past three-month bank statement and credit card statements. • Other documents of professional work such a letter of employment, copy of self-employed business income taxes of up to three months combined with letter of incorporation and bank statements, and proof of unemployment or retirement if applicable. Dependent parents and child can provide bank statements of their parent or spouse. Student As a student apart from the above-mentioned documents, you will be required to file a set of documents in an orderly manner: • A long-term visa application, • A Photocopy of your Student ID or State diving license • A letter from the University in Italy specifying your attendance hours, accommodation, and program details, • Personal bank statements from the past 3 months • One-way flight reservation and other relevant documents as mentioned above. Business All business visit for under 90 days should include all above-mentioned documents including, • An original letter of invitation from an Italian company, • Business license of your Italian company, • Proof of economic means and proof of medical insurance. • A return itinerary with dates and flight number.
Other Information
The Visa Office at the Consulate General of Italy in New York has jurisdiction to process visa applications ONLY for residents in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Visa processing can take from 7 days to 90 days depending upon the type of Visa and should be planned at least three months in advance. Italy must be the first place to a visit or main destination while applying for an Italian Visa. For a small fee, Favisbook will look after all your appointment needs, and even help you reschedule, or cancel an appointment if needed. Favisbook will take care of your appointments, while you prepare for your appointment and interviews with peace of mind.
Consulate Website
Click here
Consulate Address
500 North Michigao Ave, 1850, Chicago, Ilinois, 60611

Consular Jurisdiction

Residents of the following states/jurisdictions may submit visa applications at the Consulate of Italy in Chicago.

  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Ioawa
  • Kansas
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming