What is batch processing?
Batch processing is when you bring your required materials (outlined below) to the study abroad office. Study abroad staff will compile your application materials and then apply on your behalf. Your passport, with the visa stamp inside, will be mailed back to you at an address you provide.
When will batch processing occur?
Batch processing submission days will be posted on the main Italy Visa Page once they are confirmed.
What do you need to bring on batch processing submission days?
All students need to bring:
Affiliate program students will need to bring the following additional documents:
- Completed National Visa Application. Instructions on how to fill it out can be found here.
- Your signed, valid passport.
- Remember that you will surrender your passport and be without it for several weeks.
- If your passport is not with you on campus, you can have it sent to our office prior to batch days using the address provided below. You will also need to send the tracking information on your mailed passport to [email protected] so we know to be on the lookout for it's arrival.
- Center for Global Programs & Studies
1834 Wake Forest Rd.
116 Reynolda Hall
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
- Your WFU school ID.
- We are just making a photocopy. You will not surrender this.
- Your driver's license or state ID.
- We are just making a photocopy. You will not surrender this.
- Passport sized photograph.
- If you need passport photos taken, they can be done in most drug stores (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) or even the study abroad office (Reynolda 116), preferably on Fridays. The cost is $15 (cash/check only) for four passport photos.
- Passport photos must be taken prior to batch processing submission days.
- Money order of $54.30 made out to the "Consulate General of Italy." (see example below)
- The fee updates every three months, so double check on the current amount on the appropriate Consulate website. ($54.30 is valid from April 1 - June 30, 2024)
- Money orders can be obtained at a local post office, as the money order must be a postal (USPS) money order.
- If you write an error on the money order, do not scribble it out or use white out! Any alterations made on a money order can make it unusable.
- Do not sign the back of the money order.
- Proof of funds equivalent to $1000+/per month abroad. Students need to choose ONE of the following options:
- Student is supporting themselves must provide the following:
- A letter from your bank showing you have enough funds to cover your entire stay. Here is a bank letter sample.
- Three recent bank statements.
- Student's guardian is supporting them must provide the following:
- Notarized affidavit of financial support. This must be the ORIGINAL copy with the original notarization. Your parent/guardian is welcome to mail the original to our office prior to the batch days. Here is an affidavit template you can use.
- A letter from their bank showing they have enough funds to cover your entire stay OR three recent bank statements.
- Student who receives 50% or more in financial aid from WFU
- A letter of financial support from the WFU Financial Aid Office. You will need to contact Elizabeth Sandy in Reynolda Hall 04. This must be address to the Italian Consulate in Philadelphia
- Student is supporting themselves must provide the following:
- Printed Flight Itinerary.
- It is highly encouraged for this to be a flight confirmation with your name included in it. This must be a roundtrip flight itinerary in and out of the Schengen Area.
- You should arrive in Italy on the program start date, not depart the U.S. on that date.
Affiliate program students will need to bring the following additional documents:
- Letter of Acceptance from your program provider.
- Health insurance letter from your program provider.
What does the study abroad office provide for me?
WFU program participants are provided with:
Affiliate program participants are provided with:
- Two letters of Acceptance to your program
- International Health Insurance Letter
- WFU Enrollment/Registrar's Letter
- Pre-paid return envelope with tracking
Affiliate program participants are provided with:
- WFU Enrollment/Registrar's Letter
- Pre-paid return envelope with tracking
What happens on batch processing submission days?
Batch processing will take place over multiple days in Reynolda 116. You are responsible for submitting your visa materials during the posted submission days/times. Incomplete applications WILL NOT be accepted. When you arrive in the study abroad office you will take the following steps:
You will be guided through this process by study abroad staff members, so follow their instructions. Typically the batch visa submission process takes about 10-15 minutes for each student. If there is a line of students waiting to submit, you could potentially wait for up to an hour so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for your submission.
IMPORTANT: Since documents need to be notarized (i.e. you have to sign them in front of a notary public), you must appear in person to submit your visa application materials. You cannot have a friend submit them for you.
- Check in at the front desk to have your passport and IDs copied, as well as receive a submission checklist.
- Have your IDs and an Affidavit of Health Insurance notarized.
- Meet with a study abroad advisor to go over all of your materials.
- Fill out your return mailing address.
You will be guided through this process by study abroad staff members, so follow their instructions. Typically the batch visa submission process takes about 10-15 minutes for each student. If there is a line of students waiting to submit, you could potentially wait for up to an hour so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for your submission.
IMPORTANT: Since documents need to be notarized (i.e. you have to sign them in front of a notary public), you must appear in person to submit your visa application materials. You cannot have a friend submit them for you.