Apply for an Entry Visa
What is an entry visa, and when do I need one?
Although many countries allow for entry for less than 90 days, depending on your passport, an entry visa is required for travelers spending more than 90 days abroad. For certain countries, again depending on your own passport, an entry visa may also be required for shorter periods.
To receive an entry visa, students must present their passport to the local consulate for their destination country, along with an official application, and will receive their passport back with the visa attached inside. Here are samples of what an Italian and French visa look like.
Though the entry visa process may look daunting at first, the requirements are very straightforward, and OIE will not only provide some of the necessary documents and we can also make sure your application is completely in order before you submit it. It may not be the most fun part of studying abroad, but it'll be a notch in your experience that you can consider a transferable skill. The next time you travel and require a visa, it'll seem like a piece of cake.
Looking for some general information about the entry visa process? Check out this great video here on an overview of the entry visa process!
Important Notes
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 oievisa@stjohns.edu.
Visa Information & Instructions
As a participant in St. John's Semester in Rome for Fall 2025, you are responsible for obtaining an Italian study visa by July 20th.
Please follow the Italian Visa Checklist for step-by-step instructions on the entire visa process.
Visa Document Review (VDR): If at any point throughout the Italian visa process you would like to schedule a meeting with an OIE advisor for assistance, you can do so here.
Program: St. John's Semester in Paris
As a participant in St. John's Semester in Paris for Fall 2025, you are responsible for obtaining a French student visa by July 15th.
The French Visa Process is divided in 3 parts:
- Études en France Application (EEF)
- Visas-France Application
- VFS Global
Please follow the French Visa Checklist for step-by-step instructions on the entire visa process.
Visa Document Review (VDR): If at any point throughout the French visa process you would like to schedule a meeting with an OIE advisor for assistance, you can do so here.
Most students who are not U.S. citizens will need to secure two visas to study abroad in St. John's Western Europe Semester (WES) program: (1) an Irish visa, and (2) either a French or Italian visa.
Please contact oievisa@stjohns.edu 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 oievisa@stjohns.edu.
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 oievisa@stjohns.edu. 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.
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 oievisa@stjohns.edu.
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 oievisa@stjohns.edu 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.