milan.usconsulate.gov
US_Seal Consulate General
of the United States of America
Milan, Italy

     
P R E S S   R E L E A S E

VISAS  FOR  TRAVEL  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES:
  NEW  REGULATIONS  IN  EFFECT  SINCE  OCTOBER  26,  2005
MILAN, November 18, 2005 – On October 26, 2005, a new regulation went into effect regarding visa requirements for entrance into the United States. In accordance with the new regulation, Italian travelers using a passport issued after October 26, 2005 and lacking a digital photograph will require a visa in order to enter the United States.

In a single week, visa requests increased by 45 percent, and since October 26, the number of calls received by the call center has grown by 300 percent for Italy alone. In order to confront the great increase in visa requests, the call center, which can be reached at 899 34 34 32, increased its staff and remains the only channel through which one can request information or an appointment with the Consular Section to obtain a visa for the United States. The call center charges a fee (1.80 Euro per minute) and is available from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. To minimize the cost of the telephone call, the call may be automatically interrupted in the case of excessive wait-time. In the case that the call is interrupted before connecting, no charge is made and the customer is kindly instructed to try again. If the customer is on hold waiting to speak with an operator, s/he is requested to be patient and stay on the line.

In addition to the U.S. Consulate General Milan, visas can also be issued at the American Embassy in Rome, and the U.S. Consulates in Florence and Naples. The Consulate Milan consular section chief assures that there are still some available appointments in Milan for the month of December, but clarifies that visa appointments can also be requested at the other United States diplomatic offices, mentioned above, if the available appointment dates do not agree with the needs of the traveler. Regardless of the location of the office, the appointment must be made by calling the call center at 899 34 34 32.

For more information please consult the websites italy.usembassy.gov or milan.usconsulate.gov.
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