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General Information on Visas
Announcement: Increase in Visa Application Fee Effective January 1, 2008
Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131.
Those applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee before January 1, 2008 will be processed without further payment only if they appear for a visa interview before February 1, 2008.
Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee and appear for visa interviews after January 31, 2008 must pay the difference ($31) before they will be interviewed. Payment can be made at any branch of Banca Nazionale di Lavoro or at the Consular Section.
Any payments made on or after January 1, 2008, regardless of the interview date, must be for the full $131 fee.
Do you really need a visa?
Many visitors will not need a visa to enter the United States, traveling under the "Visa Waiver Program".
VISA CATEGORIES
If you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for a visa.
There are several visa categories, according to the purpose of your travel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS
VISA INTERVIEWS
As a result of on-going reviews of visa processes as they relate to border security, the number of required visa interviews and the processing time for receiving visas have increased. Under new regulations, most applicants will be required to appear personally at a U.S. embassy or consulate before a visa may be issued to an otherwise eligible applicant. Appointments are required for visa interviews, and the wait for an available time can be substantial. Appointment procedures vary among the different consulates in Italy. In general, applicants will be placed on a access list to be allowed entry into the Consular Section. Only the applicant will be allowed in. Applicants should not bring cellular phones, large bags, or bulky items with them to the interview, as these items will not be allowed into the Consular Section, and there is no storage space for these items at the Consular Section. Information about how to schedule an appointment is included in each consulate's "application procedures" webpage. An interview is generally not required for the following applicants, but the consular officer reserves the right to request an interview at any time with any applicant:
- under 14 years of age,
- 80 years of age or older,
- Most applicants for diplomatic official visas (applicants for A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 must be interviewed)
VISA ISSUANCE, DENIAL, AND VALIDITY
Presentation of documents required does not guarantee issuance of a visa.
Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, he or she may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States. Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States. If the consular officer should find it necessary to deny the issuance of a visa, the applicant may apply again if there is new evidence to overcome the basis for the refusal. In the absence of new evidence, consular officers are not obliged to reexamine such cases.
NON-IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING FEE
ATTENTION: Please see the Announcement at the beginning of this webpage concerning the increase in visa processing fee.
Applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas for travel to the United States must pay a non-refundable visa processing fee of the equivalent of $131.00 in Euro, according to the Euro zone exchange rate set monthly. Applicants must include the receipt from the "Banca Nazionale del Lavoro" with their application to the visa section of Milan, Florence, Naples, or Rome. Please do not submit a visa application without obtaining a receipt first.
RECIPROCITY FEES
Nationals of certain countries, or recipients of certain types of visas, are required to pay visa issuance fees (called "Reciprocity Fees") in addition to the mandatory visa application processing fee. The additional amount must be paid directly to the Consulate itself. (Reciprocity Fees are not paid at the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro.) The Consulate will advise applicants directly whenever such fees are due. Payments will only be accepted in US dollars, euro and with credit cards (U.S. Consulate Naples is unable to accept credit cards at this time).
SPECIAL VISA PROCESSING PROCEDURES
Section 306 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002 pertains to the issuance of visas to aliens from state sponsors of terrorism.
Six countries are now designated as state sponsors of terrorism. They are: North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Libya. Applicants from these Countries, age 16 and over, irrespective of gender, must without exception complete form DS-157, in addition to form DS-156, and must appear for an interview with a consular officer. An exception to the requirement for an interview may be made at the discretion of the consular officer in cases of A and G visa applicants (except for A-3, G-5, and NATO-7 applicants, who must be interviewed).
The applicable language for Section 306 of the law follows:
No nonimmigrant visa under Section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) shall be issued to any alien from a country that is a state sponsor of international terrorism unless the Secretary of State determines, in consultation with the Attorney General and the heads of other appropriate United States agencies, that such alien does not pose a threat to the safety or national security of the United States. In making a determination under this sub-section, the Secretary of State shall apply standards developed by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General and the heads of other appropriate United States agencies, that are applicable to the nationals of such states.
LENGTH OF STAY and IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES AT PORT OF ENTRY
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authority to deny admission.
A visa is issued based on the nature of the travel. The length of stay is determined by the DHS at the time of entry. At that time, DHS Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted, is validated. Those visitors who wish to stay beyond the time indicated on their Form I-94 must contact DHS to request Form I-539, Extension of Stay. The maximum length of stay for Visa Waiver Program travelers is 90 days, which cannot be extended.
Additional Information
You can find further information on nonimmigrant visas on these websites:
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