U.S. citizens must have a valid passport with at least three months left before its expiration. Italy is a party to the Schengen agreement; U.S. citizens may visit for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.
An Italian visa can be obtained from the Italian Embassy or Consulates. Contact the Embassy of Italy at 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 or via telephone at (202) 612-4400.
The Italian government requires all visitors with stays of less than 90 days to make a "dichiarazione di presenza" (declaration of presence). The stamp in a traveler's passport at the airport on the day of arrival is the equivalent. Arrival via a different method means the form must be obtained from a local police office.
All U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport for entry and re-entry into the United States. An application for a passport can be made at an approved Passport Acceptance Facility; renewals are conducted through the mail.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before their visit. Registration is the method the State Department uses to inform citizens of local travel and security issues and to assist them in an emergency.
