Show Me the Money: Financial Proof for Italian Visa

I leave in exactly one month and I am starting to have a small freakout. Don’t worry, like I said, it is a very small breakdown

It goes a little bit like this:

Profanity! Profanity! Phone call. Profanity! Try not to cry. Phone call. ProfanityProfanityProfanity. Action.

You see, getting a Visa to go to Italy for graduate school makes getting a dichiarazione di valore look like amateur hour.

So how am I spending my last 30 days in the US? WELL, today found me waking up early to meet a notary at my bank right when they open so that I can be sure a manager is around.

When you are applying for a student Visa for Italy, you need several documents.  One of these is an “official” bank statement.  As with transcripts, the Italian Consulate and I have very different definitions of “official.”  But what matters is THEIR definition so I have put on my hoop jumping hat.

If you are an American applying for a Visa to study abroad in Italy, you have to  bring proof of sufficient funds to show that you have enough money to finance your stay in Italy.

You can either bring documentation of accounts in your name, bring proof of financial support from a university or have a parent sign a (notarized) document providing proof of their funds and certifying their willingness to support you financially.

At the time of this writing, “sufficient funds” means $38 a day. I mean, from what I can tell.  The rules are constantly changing.   I also heard that the requirement was $800 a month.

Should you be in the unenviable position of applying for an Italian study Visa, here is what (I think) you need as an official bank statement.

First, you probably want to go in to your financial institution well prepared to explain yourself because most bank officials will never have heard of such a ridiculous request.

Write a letter to your bank explaining what you need to give the Italian consulate and why. This will give them very specific directions about the kind of document to print regarding your account standing.  Your letter can look something like this:

Dear Bank Official,

I am required to show proof of financial means in order to obtain an Italian study visa. The guidelines below detail what is required by the Italian consulate requires as part of the student visa application.  Please follow the guidelines outlined below exactly in order to ensure that the letter is accepted by the consulate.

  • Must be on official bank letterhead.
  • Must indicate what amounts is readily available in a savings and/or checking account.
  • Must include exact balance including decimal amounts.
  • Account holder must be the same as signer of the affidavit of financial support.
  • The letter must be notarized – but not by same bank official who signed it.
  • If computer generated have account holder’s signature notarized.
  • When possible, have addressed to Consulate.

 

Thank you for your assistance!

Sincerely,

The Pleading Italian Student Visa Applicant

15 thoughts on “Show Me the Money: Financial Proof for Italian Visa

  1. Amy says:

    Hello there! Great post! I found your blog because I, too, am an American undertaking the process of moving to Rome. I am very interested to hear how your bank letter was received at the Consulate office…I have my appointment in a couple of weeks and your blog post is the most helpful thing I have been able to find on what EXACTLY they want to see as proof of financial means. I’d love to hear how it all went for you! Hope you are loving life in Italia! Ciao!

  2. marie says:

    I have my visa appointment at the consolate. I am beyond stressed but this post helped me get some answers about the bank statement. Grazie mille!

    • Natalie says:

      No but it seems like it should be fine so long as it is notarized. Your exact consulate can confirm, however.

  3. Alex Gutierrez says:

    Hi!
    I am trying to go to Italy on a student visa for about 11 months. I emailed the consulate and they said I needed 2,000 Euros for every month that I am in Italy, so I will probably reduce my stay. I noticed you said that you used your credit card which I didn’t even think about that! Did you send a statement of your credit card along with your bank statement? Did they accept it?

    • Natalie says:

      They just needed to know the line of credit, so I think a statement that lists that should be fine. I did not use it in the end but they told me they would have accepted it.

  4. Nishat says:

    I’m also applying for student visa now but i will provide the affidavit of support for financial means from my parents so if someone know how to do the process and notary please guide me

  5. Ally says:

    Hi! I’m an American currently in the process of applying for a student visa for a graduate degree. Do you know if student loans count as “sufficient funds” for my stay. The program is for 2 years and I’m finding conflicting information about how much money I need to show them.

    • Natalie says:

      I don’t know for sure but yes, I think they do. Years ago, I used a credit card + bank statement for sufficient funds.

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