Consulate General of Italy

This review is for getting a tourist visa for a non-​US Citizen
Good:
— The process is pretty straight forward. In terms of paperwork needed, everything is available on the website.
— When you are able to get an appointment, be sure to reach on time and wait in line.
— have all your documents in the CORRECT ORDER, or else be ready to be scowled upon by the consulate employees.
— you can pay in cash for the visa
— the consulate is much better run than the Spanish consulate.
Bad:
— getting the appointment for the visa interview is a nerve-​wracking process. There are practically no dates available in weeks. if you are trying to reach the consulate by phone, good luck! You may have to end up waiting 30 – 40 minutes on the phone and you will end up getting the same answer, to book the visa interview appointments over the internet.
Ugly: nothing really.
Pro-​tip:
— Get online sharp at 5pm on the consulate website to get appointment dates. the consulate refreshes the available dates after 5PM everyday. We waited and tried feverishly for several days before scoring a date for the interview. Seriously!
— make sure that each person applying for the visa, has a copy of all the documents needed, even if he/​she may be applying for the visa jointly as a family. Just in case.
— people standing in line are separated into two groups in alphabetical order, before they are allowed to enter the consulate.
— carry an umbrella or hat, if you have your interview in summer as the sun can be too much to bear without any shade
Good Luck!

Welcome to the system of lazy, unprepared, rude and sad little people, who land a job thanks to a rigged public ban. I had various encounters with this pathetic facility. 1. a simple notary act: nobody in the consulate could write a transfer of property and I had to hire a lawyer in Italy to get it done for me. I emailed it to the consul in charge at the time. All she had to do was print it put a stamp on it and give it back to me.
First, when I got there BY APPOINTMENT, the lady wasn’t ready, then, I noticed that the when she copied the document she had no accents on the proper verbs in Italian and complained it might disqualified once it got back to Italy. She said: «Not my fault. These computers don’t have the Italian keyboard.» I politely asked she move from her desk and let me show how to obtain the letters with accents. So, after paying an Italian lawyer for the document, I’m there fixing it again for my lazy consul, who could not figure out how to write an official document overseas with the proper language, and then, I get sent downstairs to pay for the one thing she was able to do: put a stamp on it.
Next, my son was born and they ask for an Apostille on every single document you bring to them, even it it is an official copy of American documents. So, after wasting a whole morning of work to get this stupid stamp and paid for that too, it took them 6 months to send me back the documents from Italy that recorded just his birth. Finally, I was ready for an appointment. I scheduled it 1 hour before work and once I got there I explained the reason for such an early appointment was that both my husband and I needed to get to work on time. Consul (a man this time) shows up 45 minutes after we arrived for OUR appointment and had 3 people to see before us. Not one apology. No care in the world for OUR time. Of course, 4 to 6 hours of work max per day, are very stressful for people who just happen to «win» a job. Why would he care?
Now that the passport renewal is up, more fun started for us. You can only make an appointment online but the online system always gives me an error when I request a new password. Called them to schedule by phone and the answer is: you need to schedule online. So, pointed out the online system doesn’t work they hung up.
So, much for taking care of your OWN citizens overseas people. I understand your jobs were not earned but are you really that shelter in New York and have no clue how hard people work here and how your concern should actually be to offer a service?

I read so many reviews that this consulate was the worse and blah blah blah. I was scared when I went but thankfully my experience was nothing like others described (maybe an exemption? who knows…)
I had an appointment for the Schengen visa at 11:40 am on a Monday. I got there around 11:25. There was a security/​front lady who asked for my appointment confirmation. I didn’t print it but she saw the email on my phone and that was good enough. My cellphone stayed in a locker with her — she gave me the key to it– and gave me a list of al the documents I needed to present with my application. She was very specific that they needed to be in the same order as it was on the list.
Also this list had a number on top which was going to be called by the consulate workers.
I took a deep breath before entering the office expecting to see a LONG line but to my surprise there was only one person there besides the three ladies that were in the counter.
I sat down and went through the list. I had everything they asked for. I’m the kind of person that checks the website of the place where I’m going like 100 times so I make sure I have everything I need and found a more extended list of what they required to bring to the appointment. They are also very specific about photocopies. So you better bring that if you don’t want to go back to drop them off or have to run down the block (10 blocks I heard someone saying).
My number was called (within 5 min) and gave the lady all my documents, everything was fine except the invitation letter I brought was missing some info. Our mistake, not theirs. So the lady kindly told me to come back on Tuesday/​Thursday to drop it off and she stayed with my passport and documents.
Next day I went back and the story was a little different. There was a line this time!
They told me to go at 2pm but I arrived at 1:45ish, it was a bit confusing as to were to wait because there were two lines and both of them said that one was for picking up the passport and the other to drop off documents. At 2:00 on the dot the security/​front lady came out and organize the lines a little bit and let us in.
I was there for about 10 min. dropped off my letter and I brought an envelope so that they will mail my passport back to me (I live in Jersey and have a baby so going there for a third time is just not happening) and left the office. The lady that took care of my was very courteous and even nice to my baby (that is always a PLUS).
Now, there were two ladies who were complaining because the visa wasn’t granted to them. I don’t know the details so I can’t really comment on that.
I will update this review once I receive my passport. They said it takes a week. Lets hope so!
— — -
Update three days after I applied for visa.
So I got my passport with the visa sticker today (Thursday) so it really took two days to get it.
for me that is GREAT and that’s why I’m giving them 5 stars.
Make sure you check their website and bring everything they need AND COPIES.

What a great experience at this embassy. Went there for my short stay shenghen visa, in and out in an hour, passport received less than a week. We got screwed over by the French embassy who told us to go to the Italian embassy because we stayed a few hours more in Rome but we had grossly overlooked the fact that the counted our travel time as the time we spent in Rome which the lady at the Italian embassy pointed out. But seeing our plight she did not turn us away, instead was courteous and smiled and helped us. NEVER EVER EVER GO TO THE FRENCH EMBASSY IF YOU CAN. 5 stars to the employees there and a huge huge huge thank you!!!

Very very rude people and horrible service. Long waiting times for phone calls and later hanging up when they feel they don’t want to talk to you any more.

Got my new passport, employes where helpful and efficient, can‘t complain.

This review is about the Italian Consulate in NYC. My appointment was scheduled for 10:30am on a Monday morning. I already possess dual citizenship, so the required documents that I needed to bring were minimal. The internet provided a list of what I needed. The only section I found unclear was the type of USPS envelope I was supposed to bring with me so that my Italian passport would safely arrive to my place of residence. I voiced my opinion about that and showed them what I had brought from my local post office. They completely dismissed what I said regarding the on-​line directions being unclear. They told me that I was handing in a return-​self addressed envelope at my own risk (correct amount of U.S. postage was on it). They were not happy with the type of envelope I had handed them. I told them that that was the risk I would take bc my envelope literally had the US Postal seal on it (which is what the on-​line directions seem to say). They told me that I would be unable to track it down in the event of it getting lost… So I simply took my chances and told them to use it as my return envelope and for them to stamp their consulate address in the top, left hand corner; they agreed. Other than that slightly irritable conversation, I must say my experience was magnificent. I was taken ‘in’ on time. Check-​in was very smooth. They have a metal detector and I’m not clear on why I did not have to go through it (in a post ⁹⁄₁₁ era, while in NYC, I feel that EVERY ONE should have to go through a metal detector, especially if a consulate office has one). The personnel were very informative. I had questions about my sisters’ dual citizenships and why one of my sisters is not receiving voting ballads during election times and the worker graciously looked through the computer and unveiled why.
They’re VERY picky with the hours they work. They do NOT seem to have an «American mentality/​approach» when it comes to the number of days or hours an office should be available. So read and reread their office hours and be careful — depending on your needs, other departments may have different hours set up, altogether. Also, it’s IMPERATIVE that you designate/​sign up for an appointment through their website. There’s a very HIGH possibility that they will not take you if you do not have an appointment. I strongly advise you to get a 9, 10, or 10:30am appointment on a Monday, especially if you’re getting your Italian passport. Overall, it was a breeze and fine experience.

Great experience compared with most visa offices.
The office was busy around the time of my appointment (mid-​morning on a Tuesday). The guard allowed me to check-​in an hour early, but even so, I still waited a good half hour after my appointment time before I was called to the window.
Have all your documents ready and in the order listed on the laminated sheet that they give you at check-​in. They’re all about efficiency here, and don’t suffer fools easily.
The online instructions were a bit murky regarding the documentation needed. I ended up with 3 copies of everything, which was absolutely excessive. The only true photocopies you need are for your passport/​green card/driver’s license, and even those they give back to you afterwards.
Regarding proof of accommodation:
I got by with providing print-​outs of my email confirmations for hotel reservations. The website mentions something really ominous about getting confirmation sent from Italy. I jumped through so many hoops trying to get these, but turns out, you just need some sort of confirmation showing the name/​address of the hotel and the dates that you’re staying there.
My visa was ready for pick-​up in a week! My fiancé was able to pick it up for me (you have to designate the pick-​up person beforehand) and didn’t mention having any problems.

Very fast and efficent. I just came back from an appt. for my passport and was in and out in less than 20 minutes. In the past it used to take hours, I’m pleased to say that it is so much better!

I came to with my girlfriend to get her schengen visa for our upcoming trip to Milan. I knew full well that the embassy would not be the most fun thing to do on my day off but the Italian consulate astounded me on the inefficiency and rudeness displayed. First, they are SLOW… Not a big deal. They’re European after all right? So our number gets called and this evil looking woman asks for our documents, then admonishes us for them not being in the exact order of the requirement sheet. I mean it’s not displayed anywhere that these documents need to be ordered a certain way but on top of that we are asked to sit back down to put them in order despite the fact that the process will take no more than 20 secs. So after being yelled at and told to sit down again. We return with the documents in the right order only to notice that unlike the requirement list on the website, we are required to bring not only a passport but a copy of said passport. After seeing our plight any decent human being would just swivel their chair to make said copies right? Not in this embassy, and not this woman! She refuses to turn around to make a copy on the machine literally 1 foot away from her. So after waiting an hour and a half for an appointment we should up 15 minutes early for. We are sent to walk 3 aves to the nearest FedEx kinkos in subzero temps. Upon our return are we waved to the front of the line? Absolutely not! We are given a new number to wait another hour. Thankfully we are not received by the same iron hide witch.
My advice? If you are coming here to get a schengen visa for a trip to Europe, consider getting it at another embassy of possible. If France is on your itinerary, get it at the French embassy! Save yourself the trouble and frustration.

This is my first time applying for the Schengen (multi-​entry) student visa (applied last year– 2013). The staff were helpful and patient. I went there and forgot to buy a return envelope + shipping label, so they just kindly advised me to go buy one at a nearby post office. The Italian guy who helped me arrange the documents was also helpful. An even greater surprise is that student visa is free so that’s a big plus. Other than that, the process went smoothly because I prepared all the documents needed + additional things according to my circumstance.
I am also very impressed with the processing time of this embassy. After coming back from NY, I received my visa in 3 days. Yes, only 3 days!
I’m sorry to hear a lot of negative experiences written here. I’m having a much more stressful time with the UK embassy in NY right now, hence my 5 stars for this Italian embassy.

Ahahahahah! I just read some other American people’s reviews and I perfectly understand their anguish. But I am Italian, so I perfectly understand some Italian-​styled behaviors which, to me, are totally normal. If you are looking for the typical American bureau, where everything is regulated and systematic… forget about that! Italian bureaus are noisy, chaotic, with improvised officers and no organized lines. Besides that, there’s just ONE blonde woman at the front desk, who will take care of you and solve all your problems. And she’s great! Be patient with her, she’s alone and surrounded by useless coworkers, in perfect Italian-​style.
Then, if you have the chance, take a trip to Italy and visit Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice… you’ll just fall in love with that unique and beautiful country. And you’ll eventually understand how Italians think and work.
Have fun :)

Very inefficient system here.
I went to get a student visa (student visas are free) and received a form of all the material I needed for the application RIGHT BEFORE my appointment, which is ridiculous because this form was not on their website and I was missing half the things! They should really update their website so that everyone knows what to bring beforehand and therefore have less repeat appointments.
If you are going to apply for a student visa I’ve uploaded a picture of all the things you need at the appointment.

Totally useless at helping their citizens. When they answer their phones they don’t do anything but give out phone numbers that are always dead ends.
My parents are having an issue with their pension and I was told to call another number within the consulate. When I called I got an message to hold on, 30 minutes later still no answer. I called the main number and asked if anyone answers that line and I was told if I’m lucky, my guess is as good as his, really?
No wonder the Italian government can’t pull themselves out of their economic problems if these people are any representative of the way the their government conducts business.
Thank god I was born in the US!

Very unpleasant experience. Not only the specific time slots they show for visa appointments mean nothing, but people are super rude. There is no list anywhere of the documents and photocopies you need on their website and then they expect you to have all these photocopies (passport, US visa, I 20 if you are a student, driving license and student ID card). Do they honestly expect everyone to go and get the list from them? What about people who do not live in NYC! And speaking about people who do not live in NYC, I requested them to send my passport back by mail since I am not from NYC and they refused because it was almost closing time. Now they want me to go back from upstate NY to NYC to pick up my passport. RIDICULOUS. Only reason I gave two stars and not one because they did ‘graciously’ photocopy one page which I was missing from my photocopied I20 (and did not make me go back to get it done from outside).
Also completely agree about I20 someone else mentioned, they did not know how to read the I20 and said it’s not valid because the signature place of the original one was full. I had to point out that schools issue a second supplementary one and it is fine.

Consulates sometimes have a certain amount of bureaucracy/​inefficiency — no big deal. But they managed to take things to a whole another level here.
You can expect a total lack of professionalism and near non-​stop conversation with their colleagues while you stand and wait. I give 2 stars because my work was done. But it left a bad taste.

come prepared and on time, if you left some document behind, they’ll make you go and get it

I would normally rate this place at a 1 or 2 but my latest visit has caused me to tack on another star. The first 4 times I had to visit it was HORRIBLE! I experienced everything all the other reviewers chronicled but my last visit was spectacular. They even gave me my visa the SAME DAY so I wouldn’t have to worry about having it mailed out of state. How crazy is that?! All in all this place does suck though so be prepared to stress out.

A beautiful day to Journey to the UES… not so pretty to be waiting to speak to a bitchy official behind the screen who thinks she owns you!
…They already made me pay $ 2.49/MINUTE on the phone JUST TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!
The building itself was pretty although it was a mere façade to shield the frustration that goes on behind closed doors.
I knew this wouldn’t be pleasant the minute I stepped inside. Everyone was anxiously filling out applications and sorting through their documents. I got there just in time to witness an arguement between a women and the official… a security guard (handsome guy with an awesome outfit) was actually called to usher her out! …ummmm…was it necessary? No.
Maybe she was missing her mother’s grappa or missing the love of the excessively orange skinned Italian men back home… yeah don’t really care!
…Oh I was prepared with 2 copies of everything required… but not prepared to have them not know how to read my I-20…my heart stopped just a little when they told me the travel signature wasn’t valid! …WTF lady I’ve been doing this for years and KNOW when it expires!
…I finally wiped off that cold sweat once she returned to ask a superior!
Seriously people, I just want to come and enjoy my time studying and spending money in your country!
It’s a win-​win deal! No need for frustration next time, OK?
Grazie, arrivederci!