Added: 01/21/2006 |
Italy embassy -EU citizens need only a valid passportItaly is one of the world's leading tourist destinations, offering the tourist a wealth of world class destinations. The arts are well represented in Italy's world class galleries while antiquities of the Roman Empire, noted museums, churches and architectural treasure abound. Good food, good wine, good travel, what more is there for the tourist?
Italy offers so much to see and do that you need to plan your itinerary carefully. In addition, Italy is a destination where you schedule may be disrupted by strikes, work stoppages or influenced by the Italian take on life (shops may close after lunch, to reopen later that day). Take it all in stride and do as the Italians do - enjoy life!
The hottest time to visit Italy, both in terms of popularity and temperature, is May through September, with about 85% of the tourist-population arriving at that time. Summers in Italy can be hot and humid (some might say "miserable"). The real secret to keeping your cool while vacationing in Italy is to plan ahead.
EU citizens need only a valid passport to enter Italy and may stay as long as they like. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US do not need visas for stays of up to three months, but must purchase a visa if they intend to stay longer. Visas can be purchased at home country consulates. US citizens can take advantage of the Center for International Business and Travel, which secures travel visas for a small charge. Under the Schengen Agreement any visa granted by Italy will be respected by Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. The duration of one stay or a succession of stays may not exceed 90 days per six months. The cost of a Schengen visa varies with duration and number of entries.
All foreign nationals planning to stay in Italy over 90 days should apply within eight working days of arrival to receive a permesso di soggiorno (permit of stay). Generally, non-members of the EU are required to apply for a permit at a police station or foreign office (questura) if staying longer than 20 days or taking up residence in another location than a hotel, official campsite, or boarding house. If staying in a hotel or hostel, the hotel staff will fulfill registration requirements for you, and the fee is waived. Steep fines punish a failure to comply. Those wishing to stay in Italy for more than three months for the sole purpose of tourism must apply for an extension of their stay at a local questura at least one month before the original permit expires. Double-check entrance requirements at the nearest Italy Embassy or consulate of Italy for up-to-date info before departure.
Admission as a visitor does not include the right to work, which is authorized only by a work permit. Entering Italy to study requires both a residence permit and a worker registration card. The process for the permit should be started by the employer, and not the employee or outside job agencies.
Italian Consular Services Abroad
Italy Embassy in Australia: 12 Grey St., Deakin, Canberra ACT 2600 (02 627 333 33). Open M-F 9am-noon. Consulates: 509 St. Kilda Rd., Melbourne VIC 3004 (039 867 57 54); Level 45 The Gateway, 1 Macquarie Pl., Sydney NSW 2000 (612 939 279 00).
Italy Embassy in Canada: 275 Slater St., 21st fl., Ottawa, ON K1P 5H9 (}613 232 24 01). Consulate: 3489 Drummond St., Montréal, PQ H3G 1X6 (514 849 83 51).
Italy Embassy in UK: 14 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4EH (020 731 222 00, fax 749 922 83). Consulates: 32 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HA (131 226 36 31); 38 Eaton Pl., London SW1X 8AN (020 723 593 71); Rodwell Tower, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2HY (161 236 90 24).
Italy Embassy in US: 3000 Whitehaven St., Washington, D.C. 20008 (202 612 44 00). Consulates: 100 Boylston St., #900, Boston, MA 02116 (617 542 04 83); 500 N. Michigan Ave., #1850, Chicago, IL 60611 (312 467 15 50); 12400 Wilshire Blvd., #300, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310 820 06 22); 690 Park Ave. (visa office 54 E. 69th St.), New York, NY 10021 (212 737 91 00).
Consular Services in Rome
Australian Embassy Italy: V. Alessandria, 215, 00198 (06 85 27 21, emergency 800 87 77 90). Open M-Th 9am-5pm, F 8:30am-noon. Consulate: C. Trieste, 25/C (06 85 27 21). Open M-F 8:30-noon and 1:30-4:15pm.
Canadian Embassy in Italy: V. Giovanni Battista De Rossi, 27, 00161 (06 44 59 81). Consulate: V. Zara, 30 (06 44 59 81, fax 06 445 989 12).
Ireland: Embassy: P. Campitelli, 3 (06 697 91 21). Passport services open M-F 10am-12:30pm and 3-4:30pm.
US Embassy in Italy: V. Veneto, 119/A (06 467 41). Consular services open M-F 8:30am-12:30pm.
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