Accepted Students

Smith's Office for International Study will facilitate a group visa application for students who are accepted on the Smith in Florence program. A student visa is required for study in Italy on the Smith in Florence program. Students should not make international travel plans in the summer preceeding the year in Italy.

Students must have a passport that is valid six months after the end of the program and submit a copy of their passport with their Smith program application form on February 1. Proof of passport application or renewal is acceptable.

Things to Consider

The Italian visa process is complicated and requires submission of passports to the Italian consulate in Boston for a period of two to four weeks. The specific date of Smith's visa appointment and length of time required depends upon the Italian consulate's availability, and can't be set until mid-May at the earliest. Once the consulate issues the visas and returns the passports to Smith, the Office for International Study will send each student her passport with visa via courier service. Thus, students who wish to study in Italy should not make international travel plans in the summer preceeding their year in Italy.

Please complete the homsetay questionnaire by no later than April 5th.

Florence Homestay Questionnaire

Download each form listed below and the sample form for guidance. Fill out each form in its electronic format, and print the proper number of copies. Then sign each copy in BLUE INK. Each form must have an original signature. If you have technical difficulties or need to borrow a blue pen, you can do all of these at OIS.

Attestato Di Identita' Personale (PDF) Three copies. Please type your information into the fields provided. Use the Sample Attestato Di Identita Personale (PDF) as a guide for completing this document.

Al Magnifico Rettore (PDF) Three copies. Please type your information into the fields provided. Use the Sample Al Magnifico Rettore (PDF) as a guide for completing this document.

Informazione Personale (PDF) One copy. Please type your information into the fields provided. Use the Sample Informazione Personale (PDF) as a guide for completing this document.

Four Passport Photos

Have at least four passport photos taken. (You will need a toal of 13 photos: four now, one for your visa application and eight to take with you to Florence, if you want to have them all taken at one time). Photos must be official passport photos taken against a plain background, without hats, smiles, etc. Your face should be between 32mm and 36mm high, from chin to top of head.

Photo Requirements (PDF)

You may use the OIS's photo punch to cut photos to European size.

All students attending the Smith in Florence program must attend this meeting.

1. Emergency Contact Information

This form must be opened in Microsoft Word. Please TYPE all of your answers into the form. Give as much information as possible. On page two, list the people who should be contacted in the event of an emergency. If you want us to contact your parents, list your parents on page two.

Emergency Contact Info (DOC)

Once you have completed the form, save it using this naming convention:

lastname_firstname_program_EmergencyContactInfo.doc

And send it as an attachment to the OIS administrative coordinator.

2. Summer Address and Travel Information

Please complete your summer contact information now, and provide your travel plans to Florence as soon as you know them (note that you need to book your flight in order to complete your visa application). You can return to this link to update your information as needed.

Summer Contact Information and Travel Plans

Due June 3, but consider completing before you leave campus!

Schengen Visa Application Form (PDF)

Please type your answers into the application form. Use this document to guide you:

Visa Application Form Instructions (PDF)

One Passport Photo

Glued to your visa application. If you don't have a glue stick, use a paperclip, but do not staple.

A printed copy of your confirmed flight itinerary

Itinerary must show your name, and flight information including date of entry and border of entry. A printed receipt from an online booking is perfect, as long as your arrival city is spelled out; airport codes are not acceptable. The date of arrival in Italy and entry point written on your visa application must match your flight itinerary. The return date on your itinerary will not affect your visa application.

Your Passport

The real thing. If you do not hand this to the OIS Administrative Coordinator in person before leaving campus, send it to her via a courier service such as FedEx or UPS. Your passport will be kept in a locked cabinet until it is taken to the Italian Consulate in Boston. Your visa and passport will be returned to you via FedEx.

The documents listed below are required to apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit). Application must be made within eight days of your arrival in Florence, so pack these documents in your carry-on luggage. The visit to the proper office will be scheduled during orientation.

1. Your passport with visa
2. The Attestato Consulare and Smith acceptance letter (these will come from the Consulate with your passport and visa (from OIS). The Attestato Consulare is the most important document for your Permesso di Soggiorno; do not lose it!)
3. Health insurance letter in Italian – will be sent to you with your passport and visa.
4. Notarized original, plus two copies of the following documents

Parents' Financial Support Statement (PDF)

Bank Financial Guarantee (PDF)

5. Eight passport photos