Visa Information for Studying in the U.S.
In order to study at the New York Film Academy’s NYC, LA, and South Beach, Florida campuses, students will require an F-1 student visa.
Please note that the U.S. government prohibits studying full-time on a tourist visa.
In order to apply for a student visa, students will need an I-20 Certificate which will be issued to you by the NYFA International Student Office. In order to be eligible to get an I-20, you would have to enroll in a full time program, which includes all workshops and programs except the one-week, online, and part-time evening programs.
Before issuing the I-20 certificate, you must apply and be accepted into a program. Please click here to learn more about the process to apply for a program.
After you have applied to a program the International Student Office staff will email you the I-20 application and instructions on how to submit the I-20 required documents.
Once we have received all the proper documents for the I-20 certificate, we will process and email the I-20 certificate within 3-5 business days. This email will also include the SEVIS ID # and instructions on how to pay the SEVIS fee.
Please note that you must provide evidence that you have sufficient financial backing to receive an I-20 certificate and F-1 student visa. Please click here to view the Cost Of Attendance Worksheet.
About The SEVIS I-901 Fee
A $350 SEVIS I-901 fee is required by the US Government to be paid for all I-20s. You can only pay this fee after your I-20 application has been processed and a SEVIS ID number has been created for you.
Visa Application Process
“Once you have your I-20 Certificate (or at least the SEVIS ID #), you can begin the process to apply for a student visa.
*Canadian citizens: Canadians do not need to apply for a visa to study at NYFA, but you do need to enter the US with student status. To enter the US in F-1 status you need the I-20 Certificate, proof of Canadian citizenship and financial documents that prove you have the funds available to pay for your tuition and living expenses.
In order to obtain an F-1, you must complete the DS-160 Visa Application and make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country for a visa interview. At this interview, they will decide whether to issue you a visa.
At the interview, you will be required to provide evidence of your ability to pay for your tuition and living expenses in the US. You are also required to show evidence of ties to your country to prove that you are not planning to immigrate, such as family ties, residence, job or school. You may be asked about why you are choosing to study and how you will use the training when you return home.
The length of time it takes to get a visa appointment varies in different countries. Please see this website for information on the time it takes to get a visa interview and be issued a visa in each US Consulate.
For more information on visas and to locate a Consular office, please click here.
To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
Visa Information for Studying in Italy
All international students traveling to Italy must hold a valid passport. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Area.
Before you begin your experience in Florence, please review the administrative requirements below. Please note that visa requirements do not apply to you if you hold an Italian or European Union (EU) passport.
For Programs Under 90 Days (Short-Term / Workshops)
If your program or course lasts less than 90 days, you may need to apply for a Schengen Short-Stay Visa depending on your nationality.
- Many nationalities (including U.S. citizens) do not require a visa for tourist or study stays under 90 days.
- If your nationality requires a Schengen Visa, you must contact your local Italian Embassy or Consulate to check their specific requirements.
- If an official Admission Letter from NYFA Florence is required as part of your visa application, please note that it will be issued and emailed to you only after the full tuition fee has been successfully paid. For assistance, please contact [email protected].
For Programs Over 90 Days (Semester / Academic Programs)
If you do not hold an EU passport and your program lasts longer than 90 days, you are required to apply for a National Student Visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country before your departure.
As the Italian visa application process can be complex and requires specific documentation (such as proof of financial means, health insurance, and enrollment confirmation), many of our students choose to hire an external consultant for dedicated assistance.
We have found that many students have had great success working with Labora S.r.l., a specialized agency based in Italy. If you would like to reach out to them for professional support with your visa process, you can contact them here:
Labora S.r.l. Telephone: +39 055 50213
Email: [email protected] (Mr. Cristian Duca) or [email protected] (Dr. Ginevra Villi)
Please note: The decision to apply independently or to use a consultant is entirely your choice. NYFA does not manage external visa agency fees.
Resources for U.S. Citizens and General Travel Tips
The U.S. government provides detailed resources and safety recommendations for students preparing to study abroad. We highly recommend visiting the official government websites for updated travel advisories:
- Visit studentsabroad.state.gov for essential tips on preparation, health, and safety in Italy.
- Students from other countries should check their respective government websites for specific international travel advice.