Visa and consular information

a. VISAS AND STAY PERMITS

It is the responsibility of visitors to the Prato Centre to inform themselves of Italian visa requirements and make suitable arrangements. The following information is provided for guidance only - it is not necessarily authoritative or complete. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa website provides authoritative visa information.

1. For students undertaking programs at the Prato Centre

• Effective September 1, 2010 Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport to study in Italy for periods of up to 90 days no longer require a student visa.

• Students travelling as citizens of other countries (non Australian passports) that are exempt from applying for a visitor visa to enter Italy also no longer require a student visa for periods of study in Italy of up to 90 days. These countries are listed on the visa information page of the Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne website. As these are subject to change we request that you confirm your status prior to application.

• Students travelling on the passport of countries requiring a visitors visa to enter Italy (including China, South Africa, and Indonesia) need to apply for a student visa, even if the proposed  program of study is less than 90 days. If you fall into this category, please contact Jowey Lim, International Education Coordinator at Monash Abroad jowey.lim@monash.edu  for more information.

• Irrespective of visa status in Italy, all visitors must make a declaration of presence in Italy within 8 days of arrival. For students arriving into Italy from outside the Schengen area (eg from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Malaysia or the US) this can be done by having your passport stamped on arrival with a Schengen stamp. For visitors entering Italy from inside the Schengen area, you are required to make a declaration of presence within 8 days of arrival. If you are staying at a hotel or guest house, the management will normally do this for you. If not, you may do so at the Questura (police station).

• If you intend to stay for more than 90 days in Italy you must apply for a stay permit once in Italy, even if you have a visa covering a stay of more than 90 days.

• Monash University is aware many students plan to travel before and/or after their study program in Prato, thus bringing the total time they are in the Schengen area to over 90 days. While it is possible to obtain a visa permitting this - the timing appears problematic. There is often not enough time between confirmation of your place in the program and your desired departure date to obtain a visa to stay in the Schengen area for over 90 days. You may need to adjust your plans to allow for this.

• Please note that Monash Abroad and Monash University can only provide visa information to students requiring a visa to undertake academic related travel to Prato. We are unable to provide information to students planning to travel for non-study related purposes. This includes information about undertaking independent travel before and/or after your official study program.

• Best wishes for a successful academic program in Prato.

2. For staff teaching, attending workshops or conferences at the Prato Centre

• Australian citizens who travel to Italy on an Australian passport for business (and citizens of other countries that are exempt from applying for a visitor visa to enter Italy listed on the Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne website’s visa information page) including teaching, participation in a seminar, workshop or conference, or for tourism may stay for a period of up to 90 days in Italy and the Schengen area without a visa.

• Once in Italy, any staff intending to remain there for more than 8 days must file either a declaration of presence at the Questura/Italian police. If you are staying at a hotel or guest house, the management will normally do this for you. If not, you may do so at the Questura (police station).

• If you intend to stay for more than 90 days in Italy you must apply for a stay permit once in Italy, even if you have a visa covering a stay of more than 90 days.

b. CONSULAR CONTACT INFORMATION

For residents from Australia travelling to Italy

The Italian Embassy in Canberra has a listing of Italian Consulates in Australia.

The Italian Consulate in Melbourne is located at:
509 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne - VIC 3004
Tel. : +61398675744
Fax: 9866 3932
Homepage: www.consmelbourne.esteri.it
E-mail: consolatogenerale.melbourne@esteri.it

For students and staff requiring consular assistance in Italy

Australian Embassy in Rome
Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 ROME
Tel: +39 06 852 721
Facsimile: +39 06 85 272 300
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday

Chinese Embassy in Rome

Malaysian Embassy in Rome

South African Embassy in Rome

Canadian Embassy in Rome

US Embassy in Rome

Israeli Embassy in Rome