Consulate General of Italy - New York Review

An absolute nightmare. I am trying to find an appointment for my husband because he is applying for a Schengen visa, and I have to sit by my computer every day at 6pm. It has been impossible to find an appointment.
Dealing with the Italian consulate has put a damper on our family vacation. Our trip is now less than a month away and if we can't find an appointment my husband will not be able to join us on our trip. This will be my second time to Italy and it most likely will be my last. They have ruined everything and have left me feeling so disillusioned. I am honestly sick and wish I didn't have to deal with them. I should have read the reviews first. If you can apply through a different country for a Schengen visa do it!

The worst consulate ever!! Would give them 0 star for many reasons: first of all lady on front was literally rude; second of all those man (with birth mark on his ugly face) was extremely arrogant, unprofessional and portentous. I red previous review and can t believe it s true as it s not a consulate but nightmare.

I was very impressed with the Service at the Italian consulate in New York city. I renewed my passport there in May 2019. The personnel was very professional and polite. Everything was very organized and everybody was very helpful answering questions. I had to apply for the AIRE before renewing my passport. It was NOT complicated. I downloaded the AIRE form and took the paperwork to the consulate two months before my passport appointment. I made the passport appointment online. It is important to remember that they are in European time. The first time I tried to get the appointment was a Friday night and I could not get it, but when I tried on Monday I got it right away. The day of the passport appointment I did not have to wait long before my name was called. I was attended by Marina. She was extremely courteous and competent. I was done in few minutes. She filled out all the paperwork, took my fingerprints, processed the payment and gave me a receipt to pick up the passport in seven days. I went to the Consulate the following week and I gave them the receipt. They called my name immediately. I did not have to wait. I received by Italian passport in less than ten minutes.
My advise to anyone renewing the passport is to make sure to be prepared. Make copies. Bring the paperwork required. I also visited the consulate a couple times to ask questions, but you can find almost all the information online. My whole experience was excellent from beginning to end.....Thank YOU!!

This is not the happiest, the most polite, or the most convenient place to apply for a Schengen visa. However my experience isnt as bad as I expected. The staffs do work hard and get the job done. The interview went smoothly. I am able to finish everything within an hour. You just have to be prepare and get everything they need, especially PHOTOCOPIES of your IDs. Read their website, and good luck folks!

People working there from the security guard letting people in to the people processing visas are the most obnoxious and rude people on the face of the earth. Have been told that other Italian Consulates are much very pleasant such as Boston or Chicago. So if possible stay as far away from this consulate as possible if you are doing study abroad. Horrible place!!

Thanks to previous comments, I was pretty nervous coming today. But my experience was quite good. Do not come early as they will tell you to come back exactly at your appointment time. Maybe because it's a Wednesday, my wait time is only about ten or fifteen minutes. Make sure your documents are complete and in the right order. I used clippers to put each category separate and used sticky notes to indicate each category, which really helped. If you visit multiple Schengen countries, make sure you have the itinerary and proof that Italy is the right place for you to get a visa. The rule is very specific and you need to highlight your evidence to the rule. Finally, if your legal status in the U.S. will expire before you finish your trip, you need to bring documents to prove that you have made an appointment with the U.S. Embassy to renew your visa and bring your travel itinerary as well. Good luck!

Highly unethical, extremely racist and xenophobic. The job of the Italian visa administrators in this consulate is to create as much harm as bureaucratically and financially possible. The treatment of these visa officers to applicants deserves the immediate attention of an American Human Rights/ Civil Rights lawyer. While it is at their discretion on who to allow in or not in their country, their treatment of applicants on American soil should not at all be tolerated. I have witnessed people as I waited before me being laughed at, thrown things at, humiliated, screamed at and even flat out lied to. This is something that has been ordered from the top down since they even make you give up your cellphone so you cannot record their treatments and acts. I myself was screamed at and I am the upmost respectable person to everyone. As I had every single document in order as I double and triple checked their rules several times, I was denied on a basis of lying. Not only was I denied, they had a schedule of important dates I had to be present in and they prolonged it on purpose so I would be in a deeper financial hole. As a result, I have wasted thousands of dollars in what was months of planning for me. As an American citizen, I refuse to allow these people to cause chaos on American soil deliberately.

I just picked up passport for my dad.

There are 3 staffs working in VISA office, including 2 ladies at each window and a gentleman helping at the back. There is also a security check point before entering the office.

Before going to Visa office, I made appointment online for my dad in March. The appointment was like 3 weeks in the future. I also prepared all necessary documents required for VISA process, including copies of all original documents. There's a list of documents on the website. I also needed to get sponsor letter notarized and buy travel insurance to cover medical expense during the trip. Make sure the travel insurance cover the amount required.

On the date of appointment, we brought everything we prepared. My dad needed to check in at security with appointment letter and ID. Only the person on the appointment letter was allowed to enter. I had to wait on the street. My dad was given a ticket number and a sheet of listed documents. Make sure to put your documents in the order shown on the sheet. My dad doesn't speak English. When his number was called, the staff asked the security to let me in for translation. Everything was smooth, and the staff was nice and helpful. The whole process might take 20 to 30 minutes besides the wait time. My dad got approved right away. They accept cash and VISA/Master cards.

I was there yesterday. They refuse to give me Airport Transit Visa! They said that having a flight ticket is not a good reason to get airport transit visa! Ridiculous.
I called and emailed them several times before my appointment but no answer!
I've been there 2 times before and I got my visa easily but this time I had hard time with them.
In my opinion, once you face a problem then you have to see how quickly and helpfully and respectfully they can manage your problem. If your documents are all prepared, wherever you go even to the worst people then your work will be done!
They can not handle your issues! Rates of either having 1 star or 5 stars show their poor ability in solving people issues
I ended up paying more than 500$ to change my flight ticket!

SIMONA RENIERI is one last person. He misbehaves. It doesn't help. Pretends to help but it doesn't help! A woman with a child Italian citizens. They would like to go to Europe. She doesn't help. You cannot get an appointment on the site. Only in the email. For two weeks now, I've been praying for an appointment to pay $ 400 for two passports. SIMONA RENIERI It doesn't help. That is a ru_e and n_sty person. Makes me very disappointed as italian citizen !!! Italian Embassy 000000 !!!!!!!

Surprisingly simple. I had a 10am appointment for a student visa application. I was there 5 minutes to 9 -- no harm in being early, right? -- and went in armed with copies of every single document imaginable. The door to the visa office is around the corner from the consulate and down a very shady-looking flight of stairs, but it wasn't a big deal. A rather loud lady repeatedly told the few of us that were there that we would need copies of everything. I had all my stuff, so she buzzed me in at a quarter after 9. When it was my time to go up, I was stupidly nervous, but I handed in the documents to the officer that they requested (the lady who buzzes you in gives you a paper detailing what order they want the documents in) and she spent about 5 minutes going over each one before telling me to take a seat. One or two minor hiccups as she went through the papers, but no real issues and nothing that would get my application rejected. After about another 10 minutes of waiting, she called me up, gave me a receipt and said that I would receive my passport with the visa in the mail in about 2 weeks. Best part? I got it two days later. All-in-all, compared to some of the horror stories I've heard, it went pretty well. Always be polite.

Very poor service, I managed to quickly solve all the diligences for the American documents, and now that I simply need to renew my Italian passport everything gets complicated and everything becomes impossible. It's been about two months since I'm trying to make an appointment, the online page does not work, in the various numbers that have for the customer service has never answered anyone at any time, I went personally and I was told that I can book only online, to which I answered the page defect and I was advised to go at 5 in the morning that I would pass. I have not gone yet because I know a bit 'teasing and seeing the reviews I already imagine the headache that I will have to endure. If anyone knows another way to renew the passport, that it is not going there, please comment

3rd world country service. The online 10 weeks in advance booking is pathetic at best and makes almost impossible to get a reservation. If you go there trying to get in among the 5 daily non-reservation admitted you risk to be in line for an hour without knowing that they have let people in at 7-7:30 am already. They are slow, most of the time rude and not knowledgeable even on the subject they are helping you with. A disgrace but more importantly an embarrassment for the italians living abroad that actually need some help every once in a while. Funny is they get paid nicely to do less the minimum required for a public service post.

This Consulate is the wrost one I have never seen, there are only 3 stuffs, and the man on the right corner is extremely impatient, they never listen to your explanation of some specific situation, you have to provide all the shity documents, and the list of reqiurents they give you is not precise. From the list I was ask to provide a bank statement with 3000 US dollars, and I provided a bank letter which proved I have 70000 RMB(11000 US dollars) from a Chinese bank, and they just not recogonize it, They ask me to provide a bank statement from a US bank, and make another reservation online, which mean I have to wait 2 MONTHS for next appointment, HOW REDICULOUS! if you can process your visa or passport anywhere else, NEVER COME TO THIS ONE!

This review is in regards to my dad s pension that my mom is to receive which we moved & we sent all updated information required & it s been almost (1) & half year & still trying to rectify this issue as LINA PETRUZZELLA from the Italian counsel in Rutherford New Jersey HAS BEEN THE MOST offensive impolite & ill mannered PERSON & so unprofessional in every way possible

I m totally frustrated with our many conversations had with her I m reaching out to her as my mom waits for this small amount of money so she can pay her bills & also this is money that my dad worked for....therefor if I m calling regarding a status for my dads pension that s due to my mom & her unprofessionalism in this matter is not a business like environment & also to hang up the phone on me & telling me that you have your own personal matters to take care of it s unprofessional & your personal problems should be left at home!!!!!! It s just not nice!!!!!!!!
2)this matter as been going on for approximately 1yr & half, ive circled back with Lina Petruzzella at the Italian counsel in Rutherford nj
Patronato INCA-USA & her response is the Italians in Italy don t care they take their time & you might wait indefinitely.
3) she completely disregards me and what I m asking for, Lina Petruzzella is a very dismissive person at best!
This is not a course of action of a person who feels like she has acted with integrity.
4) I ve asked to speak to someone either than her or a manager-& her response is-there s no-one hear & she dismissed me by hanging up the phone on me which this is the most unprofessional of any human being!!!
Im lost for words.....as I m italian & born there & have never encountered such errogance in my lifetime, I hope that this review is viewed by the right person & hopeful there will be some changes in the way these workes run this counsel, it s very very sad

I wish I could give this place negative stars. Horrible, horrible..Nobody follows up, nobody cares and there is no way to contact anyone. And if you do get in touch (magically) they rush you off the phone and hangup even before you utter another word. And to top it off they made up a lie (confirmed by the Spain Consulate).

So here is our story....my Godfather needed to get an Italian Visa for a wedding.They already booked the flight, hotels and Tours because thats what they require of you to get a visa. It was hard to even get an appointment but thankfully we did. Everything went smooth and they told him they were mailing him the Visa, two days later they call my Godmother and say there's a problem. They said we can't process your visa until we speak with the Spain consulate, we want to know why they denied your visa application to Spain.

My Godfather had originally filed a visa for Spain because they are spending a week there then two weeks in Italy fot the wedding. Spain denied his Visa because they said "since the country you are staying in the longest is Italy, they are the ones who must give you a Visa."

The Italian consulate told us they will have to call and discuss with the Spain consulate. meanwhile his flight is in a week. It has been four days and no word. We called the Spain consulate ourselves and told them everything. They stated they will not call nor speak with the Italian consulate about this issue because there is nothing to discuss. They even told me the Italian consulate was flat out lying. That Spain does not need to give us a Visa because it is known policy that whichever European Union Country you are staying in the longest is the country that has to issue u the Visa.

We have tried calling the Italian consulate 5x a day after this, no one answers there phone. No voicemail available. We have tried emailing then 5x, no answer. We do not know what to do except cancel the trip altogether and loose alot of money due to flight and already paid reservations.

Booking an appointment is almost impossible. The website kept showing me an error, I called their office and they didn't even pick up. Staffs didn't know how to communicate to applicants in a respectful gentle manners. If this is what represents the italians, that's quite shameful.

This morning I was at the consulate for my appointment for the renewal of the passport, honestly after reading some comments on the web I was a little worried, too many complaints from fellow citizens and not, in short I was almost afraid ...
Everything took place in less than 10 minutes with professionalism and respect, not to mention Mrs. Marina who, besides being a beautiful woman, was of a unique kindness ...
thanks to all of you from the girl who is at the door (the only flaw that I think should speak Italian) to the Carabiniere on duty
in short, all A +
Long live Italy
Long live the States

Couldn't agree more re: the rudeness, laziness, and sheer lack of any kind of professionalism or courtesy at this place.
Fortunately, the reason I went to this rubbish tip earlier today wasn't anything as high-stakes as citizenship or a visa, but still. You'd think that, if they host a book launch, and I RSVP as instructed, I'd be able to attend the event -- but no. Some b____h named Lauretta checked some list she had, informed me that my name wasn't on same, and turned her back on me. Another "staff member" tried to be more polite and at least asked whether I had an email confirming my attendance/ invitation -- a requirement which wasn't mentioned anywhere in the event information I received.
Just as bad: apparently, these "people" seem to have forgotten that, in NYC (or most of the US, as for that matter), smoking indoors is not allowed: "Lauretta" came out with a cigarette and lighter, which she clearly intended to use.
I've already made a detailed complaint to the event organisers and will be making them to the Consulate itself, as well as relevant NYC authorities.

Been trying to call one of their offices for weeks, they never ever answer. Absolutely insane as I have something urgent to deal with... Tristezza

I am writing this review about our experience at the consulate alone. As long as you bring ALL the required documentation, you should have a pleasant straight-forward experience. I was able to get an appointment with no problem. The staff has replied to the various e-mails I have sent. My sister had her interview (not a single question asked) and was asked to email some minor paper work within 48 hrs. MAKE sure you print out the checklist found on their website and get your documents in order. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I met some applicants that weren't prepared and were missing half their documentation. Do your homework and you should have a good experience. My sister received her visa in the mail within 9 business days.

Dear visa section staff, You should be nicer to people who're willing to spend their hard earned money to see your country. Your country needs tourist dollars so you should not act like you're doing prospective visitors a big favor. Don't be so insensitive, impatient and try to enforce draconian rules.

I am an Italian resident in New York blocked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because I cannot renew my passport I try to book online but the consulate does not respond I cannot go to Italy and even on holiday if the consulate is so busy because the ministry does not authorize any agency to help so many citizens, I hope that other citizens will follow my request so that a solution can be found as soon as possible

Passport office very efficient, I have always received a quick reply via email about my doubts or for information about the passport renewal, and once the appointment was set even if I arrived late (due to transport) I was accepted almost immediately and the procedure for the renewal it was simple and fast ... To then receive my renewed passport by post in 5 days. Fantastic.

Booking an appointment is almost impossible. The website kept showing me an error so I called their office and they just hung up after asking for help.

I had a good experience overall for different services such as passport and birth certificate. Everyone was very helpful, polite and efficient. It is great to feel a very Italian experience with the pro and the "bads" you can expect. You've got to embrace it... o meglio abbracciare... from an Italian living in America.

For your tourism visa. Make sure you have EVERYTHING listed on the image + exact change = 60euro or dollar equivalent (68$ for July 2019). And it ll be a breeze.

I had a good experience

Checking everyday at 6:00PM actually does work. Friday,Saturday, and Sunday seemed to have appointment slots clear up more than other weekdays.

The actual time at taken for the conversation was about 1.5-2 hours, including waiting to be called inside.

Had a Great Experience, Showed up for my appointment and was met by very nice professional personnel. Had a little wait but that was expected as the number of people that come in and out. The interviewer was very nice and helpful.

I scheduled my appointment for passport renewal two months ago.
It's quite an amount of time but I was prepared and the long waiting time is clearly stated on the web site. On the other hand, to my positive surprise, the passport will be mailed to my house within a week/10 days.
We have been received ten minutes later than the scheduled time.
The staff was polite and efficient.
Overall a very positive experience.
UPDATE
We did receive the passports in exactly one week.

With regard to those who say the people working at this consulate are "not polite", I suggest you come prepared if it's citizenship you seek. Asking for citizenship is not a joke and because YOU think you should be offered citizenship doesn't mean that you qualify for it. I did my due diligence and made sure I came fully prepared. I had NO problem. In and out from the time I sat down with the man who reviewed my documents in maybe 20 minutes to half an hour. The interview ended with "Congratulations!" Don't waste their time or yours. Do your homework. It's hard but you won't get away with anything.

We were late for our appointment and they refused to see us. Plus my daughter leaves for Italy in August and there are no appointments open before she leaves. They didn''t care and we are not sure what to do.

I don t want to have anything to do with you anymore. I have provided all of the documents imaginable, even the ones not listed on the official website. As a result, I received the same exact questions I had heard on the interview, via email.

This is absolute ANTI-professionalism and disgusting attitude during the interview. When I was paying the $39 fee for the visa application they didn t even have $1 change for the $40 I gave them. I don t care about the $1, but this is one of the many examples of their disorganization.

What kind of a consulate is not capable of making a copy of the documents and sends people out to the street? All of the reviews on Google are very true.

Your front desk attendant, who should have retired years ago, does not know how to communicate with people.

I have told all of my Italian friends about this and they were completely shocked by the amount of work and and papers this consulate demands from a person who has been living in USA for the past 6 years with documents. Are they checking the large numbers of illegal immigrants in Italy the same way?

I am going to get my visa through a different country.

I am happy that in a year I will have an American passport and I will never have to communicate with despicable people such as you.

Thank you for ruining my Christmas and New Year s Eve, I wish you the same!

Hi all,

Before my appointment day I was reading all the reviews and was stressing myself out.
I got my visa in less then 15 minutes. Beautiful, polite lady (window number 3) was absolutely profferional.
Security woman was helpful and fun also.
All I can say is before your appointment day go to the place and take a picture of the listed documents you need. Organize it in order and get your visa in less then 15 minutes. Good luck

I was in and out within 20 minutes of my appointment time and everyone I dealt with was very friendly. Italian passport is now on its way. The gentleman who helped me was fluent in both Italian and English and was prepared on his end with a stack of documents tracing my family's history with the Italian consulate. Tip: Review the necessary documentation needed for the particular service you are seeking before arriving. I didn't have any issues with this but clearly, based on certain reviews, some people did.

The person who answered me was really rude, my question was simple ... I have been in the US since March, I live in Italy, I have a residence card and I wanted to know if there are restrictions due to the covid to return to my home in Italy. The young lady with a bad attitude and no desire to understand told me that I need a visa ???? That is, I who repeated them that I have a residence card and reside in Italy? And he just told me he doesn't know! Always in a despot way.

I had a very good experience here. You must come prepared and do what they tell you.

can someone please assist in making an appointment? it says to go online but once online there is nothing available for the next 10 months. how is this possible

My parents need to apply visa to tour Italy, the doorman just won't let me go in with them, and they don't know English at all! What the hell is the place! Worst place ever in NYC! I will avoid goto Italy as much as I can, full of pocket pickers anyway.

The officers are working hard and willing to help if you are prepared. Don t expect them to be patient if you didn t do your homework. Before going to the consulate, read the instructions online very carefully - literally everything you need to know is on their website. Make an appointment, confirm the appointment online, and make sure you re checking for emails from the consulate. Show up with your papers/photo/money all ready, and you ll be helped. :)

WORSE THAN THE WORST!! This place is sick ever! I stopped by to apply a tourist visa, the older man, has a birth mark on face, who I deal with is a rude and arrogant. I explained that I regularly visit Italy and I need a MULTI_ENTRY visa. And I don't need to keep applying and coming to here. He was like "if you always go to Italy, then you should not care about the $75 dollars fee... So he can't issue me a multi-entry visa. He could only issue me a Single Entry!
The Chinese lady who were applying prior than me were happily approved a Multi-entry visa. I got rejected maybe I am a male??
The entire crews are the representatives of a country as Italy. However, they presented a huge impatience, rudeness, and carelessness.
If you really looking to apply for a Europe visa, then try France Consulate or others. This place has huge complications in terms of applying a visa and they are the rudest!

These people saved my life!
I was in shock and they have been willing to help me in every single step.
I could never be grateful enough!
Thank you so much for everything

If this place represents Italy then we deserve the situation we are experiencing at the moment. Very impolite guy at the reception which did not give any help. In any other working environment he would have been fired right away, plus if you are representing a nation you don't show up at work dressed like you are going to a family picnic. I had to leave the place and wasted a morning after I have waited until 10.45am with my appointment scheduled at 9.00am.

The cruelest, laziest, and most incompetent people one could ever hope to meet. The few employees here who treat the public with respect and decency cannot make up for the appalling behavior of the rest of the staff. They are impossible to communicate with and almost everyone who works here treat the people who need to use their services as a nuisance. One wonders why these people ever opted to work in the USA in the first place, when they clearly have nothing but disdain for the people who live here.

Expect to be treated poorly, mocked, called stupid, and ignored. I have even seen one girl ridiculed by an employee in the visa office until she cried. Also expect your appointment time to be meaningless and to watch in frustration as the lazy employees carry on idle conversation with each other instead of doing their jobs. Quite a few staff members have very poor English, yet will not hesitate to call you stupid and insult you. If you have to deal with these embarrassing people, you have my condolences.

I was in time of my appointment and everyone I dealt with was very friendly. Guard at the front asked me if I have an envelope and copy of envelope. I had 15 minutes until my appointment and I was able to find a copy center near by. The guard took my cell phone and locked it. Tip: Review the necessary documentation needed for the particular service you are seeking before arriving. Also I took my marriage licence and a copy. She took my copy of it because I have different Last name on my passport and on my Green Card. I didn't have any issues with this. Everything was good.

From the smartest people in the world I don't expect anything but the best instead I think you guy's just average that's a shame to be rated average for Italian . Do you guys know that we teach the world we give them culture we teach them how to live out of built from all the way North Pole to south pole people all away to America .please do better

The Italian consulate in NY is the worst visa process I've ever had to go through. My recommendation is to take your dollars to a country that actually makes you feel welcome. Every single aspect of the process stinks.

1. Online appointments
The appointment system they use is a joke and you have to sit in front of the website everyday at 6pm praying to find a spot. When I finally managed to find a spot, it won't let me book one for myself and my wife. In the end I booked 1 spot and kept looking for a second one, which I could never find. So I sent them an email explaining that I can't find an appointment for 2 people and that I will be arriving with my wife.

2. I arrived at the consulate a bit early with my wife. They are very strict about time and won't let you in early (no problems with that). The person who lets you in is quite rude though. She wouldn't let my wife in because she didn't have an appointment (thought I explained to her that I emailed the consulate, we are traveling together, and that I am unable to find appointments. But she basically told me to go in alone or leave. I decided to go in and try talking to the visa officers directly.

3. When I got in, after about a 20 min wait (so much for their precision in letting people in), I finally got to the counter. I tried explaining the situation to the visa officer but she wouldn't budge. She told me I will have to find another appointment for my wife. I asked them what if I can't find an appointment, she just coolly replied that it had never happened before. She told me that only people with appointments are let in because it is security risk to let people without appointments. I tried to make them understand that I had all the paperwork for my wife ready and she was waiting outside but they wouldn't hear of it.

To make things far worse, when I came outside I found that there was a military family waiting outside, and the husband was being sent to Italy in a couple of weeks.He had come with his family (including 2 newborns) to get visa for them so that they can visit him there, but the visa office wouldn't let them in because the appointment was in his name. He had begged and pleaded with them that he had come there from a long distance, and he was being sent to Italy in 2 weeks, but they would not let him in, and were completely ok with his newborn babies having to wait out in the cold.

I have not seen a more heartless or rude visa office in my life. They are rude and disrespectful, and won't even be reasonable with newborn babies to a military father who was being deployed in 2 weeks. My recommendation is that if the country makes you feel so unwelcome, then you are better off taking your dollars elsewhere.

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.

The Bureaucracy in Italy is just as horrendous! They are so bogged down in stamping piles of files they're obsessed. I dont know how or why they exist. I get this same treatment from the IRS office as well. At this time they seem to be bogged down with illegal immigrants and all they're entitled to no matter what the Italian citizens want. Sound familiar?

Bad! I have tried to contact them several times by email and by phone (in the time slot indicated on the bulletin board) and I have not received any response. I decided to introduce myself personally and they didn't even see me in person. After explaining to the operator that I had presented myself there personally because I had not received any response to my attempts to contact the office, I was simply liquidated by intercom without receiving any help or answers to my questions. Besides being inefficient they are also rude and rude!

I had a citizenship appointment yesterday. I was happy with the whole experience from beginning to end...really no complaints. All of the staff were helpful, polite and friendly. I think they are just understaffed which is not their fault. They are doing the best they can considering the circumstances. One does have to do their own research about which documents are needed as the Consulate websites, in general, are not very specific. You need to consult others who have gone through the process, for example on FB there is a group that gives advice.

It's it is not a consulate its a Office of Italia Italy

I just wanted to ask for information and just to be polite (and also because I didn't know how to speak Italian) I asked if they knew what I was talking about. The answer was "yes, I am not an idiot". Well, you are very rude. The following answers were short and it made me feel like I was bothering him by calling and asking. That's your job.
Worst experience.

I just called the consulate to ask for information and for kindness (and partly because I wasn't sure that the pronunciation in English corresponded to the one in Italian) I asked the operator if he knew what I was talking about. The answer was "sure, I'm not an idiot". I would like to say to that operator that he is very rude. The following answers to my questions were brief and annoying as if I was bothering them. Too bad it's his job. Very bad experience.

Consulate General of Italy rendered a perfect job granting the visa we requested. While it is not an easy process, a very bureaucratic infrastructure, a little patience, solid communication goes a very long with getting the result in a timely manner. It is all in the approach.

Great service, kind to both the public and the phone.

Poor service!!!!
the staffs are rude and impatient. They just don't know how to respect people.

I am Italian. I hate this place. This is the problem in all of Italy. No one wants to work. So why should it be different here. I called on Wednesday, April 14th. I got a recording to hold. God forbid they said the office was closed. I was on hold for 1 hour. I decided to go to the website and it says closed. CHE SCHIFFO. I wish I could give them a negative 10 star but they don't have it. Let's see if I get anywhere when I go to the office next week.

Despite the valid concerns other people have mentioned, I was able to renew my passport successfully. Kudos to the officers who helped me in the process.

Terrible, rude, third class service. Less of an embassy, more cattle herding. Negative stars would not be low enough. They have the most antiquated systems on earth, perfectly coupled with lousy, unprofessional staff who mock you in Italian while 'helping' you. They can't read documents in front of them. I'm canceling my trip because they 'lost' my first appointment.

Rude and unprofessional. I will never go to Italy again.

No comment!!!! staff makes up standards as they like...really Italian style

I can imagine how rude they are. A friend of mine who is trying to get an appointment is unable to get one. Not the first time hearing negative comments. Besides that no one is answering the phone.

This is the most ridiculous Consulate Ever. I have been traveling to many countries and never have I encountered such issues.

I live in NY as a legal resident with a green card, with my U.S. citizen wife. We wanted to go to Italy for our honeymoon. I need a visa to go there so we prepared all of the documents.

Besides the staff being extremely rude, I was told to make another appointment to bring more documents.

The documents that they requested is a flight itinerary from Ukraine to Italy. I tried to explain to the person that I live in Ukraine, have family and friends there and that we would drive from Ukraine to Italy. But she wanted the specific name of the driver and license plates. I told her I could provide her with the information but since my phone was taken away I did not recall the license plates. No! I was turned away and told to make another appointment! On the sheet of paper that she gave me she checked off bring proof of a flight reservation and added between Ukraine and Italy, I mean the whole point was that we were driving there, SO WHAT FLIGHT RESERVATION. But besides that, the sheet of paper on it has an option to drop off the documents, but NO she crossed that off and said make another appointment. She saw very well when the trip was scheduled for, and knows very well that there won't be appointment in time.

THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS. I had a flight reservation to Ukraine, one back to NY from Milan, and all of the hotel reservations for the duration of the stay in Italy. They can at least ask you to submit additional documents especially if everything is sufficient except for something petty as that.

Ohh and she wanted to see a letter form my wife's employer that he okayed the trip for her and that she is allowed to take the reservation. They know that they require you to book everything ahead of time, she saw that thousands has been spent on the trip (good idea to get insurance), why not require additional proof and approve, I mean the name and license plates of the driver could have been provided same day in few minutes, or submitted on a peace of paper the next day or even the same day!

I was received pretty much at the time indicated on my pre-booked appointment slot The gentleman who assisted me in getting a new passport was friendly, professional and courteous; he even went out of his way to correct an unresolved address change from many years ago without much of a fuss. The whole procedure was quick and painless, unlike what I had feared based on previous experiences at the Italian consulate in Copenhagen and Italian consular reviews in general. I would have given the consolate 5 stars had it not been for the difficulty in getting an appointment - they are booked many months in advance. Overall though I was pleasantly surprised. Grazie mille per un ottimo servizio.

My experience at this Italian consulate was great. I applied for and was recently granted citizenship. The process was long (about three years!) but the staff support was exceptional. Renzo was an absolute pleasure to work with. Any international bureaucratic process is going to be confusing and frustrating, but I was really impressed by the care and support here.

We Have Had Some Last Minute Urgent Travel of Senior Managers to our Airasca ,Turin & Other Cities in May 2016.

We had to Apply for Visa with a 5 Day Gap & Wooowwww was the experience,Absolutely Flawless Application & in very Few Days we received the Business Visa.

We had sent only 1 Email Giving a Clear & precise Scenario of Requirement & the Request was Granted by our Honorary Consulate.

Its good to See that Both Countries are Encouraging Business With Each other.

Thank You Consul & Italy Visa Team

Never before have I seen people as rude as those who work there, that skinny woman hates even herself.

Whatever bad reviews on this page is true. That 's what I saw yesterday. Before you go make sure you have everything ready if you missing one document they will tell you to go home and make new appointment which is another 2 months. And when I called if I can just bring addintional document in next week because my vacation plan in in 3 weeks. It took me an hour to make a phone call because It keep saying "the called can not go through" when they answer they just said make appointment online only and when I tried to explain that I went there yesterday and I just have to bring additional document. The man who answer the phone dont even listen and keep saying make new appointment online. So frustrated!!! Dont even waste your time to wait for people to cancle their appointment its not happening. I ll skip this trip. I prefer to visit somewhere else.

For tourist visa, you need to book an online appointment. They are very strict about it. No walk-ins allowed.

For our travel in May, we decided to schedule an appointment in March and the earliest slot available was after 6 weeks!!I was little worried about that. Although they encourage you to come back to their website after 6 pm when they update the site, and if you are lucky you may find a slot more suitable to your needs.

Anyhow, we had our visa interview yesterday and in less than 24 hours our passport arrived in our mailbox through USPS priority mail! Yayee!!

At the consulate, the interview process and document verification are fast and smooth. They have a checklist of the documents that are required for the interview, have them in that order and the whole process will go smoothly. At the entrance, they ll take away your cellphones put them in a locker and hand you the keys. You collect them after interview.

Please note they don't allow people inside the consulate if you show up early. Just arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled interview timeslot. If you happen to come here early then check out the Bel Ami Cafe around the corner.

Passport appointment went really well, professional and very friendly staff. Very organized and efficient, building is gorgeous, received passport in mail much faster than expected. Overall no complaints and had a very good experience.

I went to this disgusting place, wanted to get a student visa so I can study in Italy. After this experience and many others I've had with Italians, that's changed.
The service is unprofessional and lazy, they mock you in Italian, they stare at you and treat you like you're some worm, they delay your application, they don't even tell you which documents you truly need. Saying these people are *rude* is just being nice to these cockroaches.

I noticed Italians actually take pride in their unprofessionalism and rudeness. This is actually the de facto Italian persona when it comes to conducting business with the public.

Please spare yourself some valuable time and don't go to Italy or this pathetic Embassy. The hype about Italy being a great place is filled with lies. The minute you land in an Italian airport, you'll see what I'm talking about. Italy is a hell hole for it's extreme disorganization and lack of public order.

How they are part of the European Union is completely puzzling.

While I know it is extremely difficult to get an appointment for passport renewal here, I was finally able to get one. As my date approached I became increasingly nervous due to the myriad of negative reviews. That appointment was yesterday and my experience was absolutely wonderful. I was due at 11am and was greeted warmly by the lady in charge of the door at 10:45. After a short waiting period a sweet young lady named Giovanna processed my paperwork. She couldn't have been nicer or more professional. Long story short, I was done by 11;30 and left with a updated passport after paying an additional small fee for same day service. Grazie. I really don't why people are so negative in their reviews. I am in the restaurant business and am I used to disgruntled patrons. Many times they are having bad days and take it out on others.Grow the f*** up. Be nice and think positive and maybe others will be the same towards you.

The worst bureaucracy in the world, is the Italian one.
1 year ago my son was born in NYC, I'm trying since then to giving him the double citizenship.
Forget about it, I don't stay here listing all the the things that went wrong, but long short story:
- I had to give the original married certificate to register myself and my wife marriage in Italy too
- then I had to provide the original birth certificate to register my son at the Aire
Despite the confirmation form the Aire website and those efforts (because these guys are open just in the morning of course, you have to take 1-2 hours off at work, in 2020 is not possible to do anything online yet..) I discovered that either, my marriage nor my son are registered in Italy.

Wasted time.

Conclusion? My son is American citizen, proudly not Italian. #ashamedtobeitalian

Horrendous service, limited hours, unprofessional and not polite staff. Its is a shame that people are forced to use this place to get visas

As an Italian this place is embarrassing. Never answering the phone, very messy system people waiting hours inside. How can this happen for such a long time?

Word to the wise: I've been dealing with the visa office for two years. Here some reliable suggestions 1) Don't take their demeanor personally. It's not you. 2) Leave your ego at the door. They are clearly frustrated and have no qualms about delaying your process 3)Don't be afraid to cry and look desperate if necessary 4) Thank them profusely (even if they miss up, they're doing you a favor) 5) Go in with ALL your correct documents and COPIES of everything. 6) Be prepared to show proof of NYS residency, ie, Driver's License or Tax Return 7) Don't take their rudeness personally. I've gone in with a huge smile and sweet demeanor and certain individuals are just determined to be rude. Good luck!

This is the worse place to ask a touristic visa. Appointment is impossible, mail doesn t work, on line service also doesn t work, visa office so rude. They said visa is not a Right.

VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE RUDE INDIFFERENCE. ALL WE WANT TO DO IS CONTRIBUTE TO THE EARTHQUAKE AREA. CONSULATE APPARENTLY COULD CARE LESS AND I HAVE GOOGLED THE ITALIAN CONSULATE NYC FOR WEBB INFO. IF IT IS THERE, I DIDNT FIND IT. I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING IF THESE FOLKS CARE ANYTHING ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN,,,,,,,

Bad service, all trained to be rude no one who ever answers the phone, e-mails are answered only in English, I say being an Italian consulate yes he should speak and write in Italian no ?

This was the worst experience of my life. As soon as I got there people were nervous to even ask the lady for help. They are not nice or welcoming at all nor were they helpful. They told me I was didn't have one correct paper but would not tell me what it looked like or how to get it. I asked numerous times what I should do and they just said "look at the paper." I asked them if I could email or have my study abroad school email them and they denied everything and made me reschedule my appointment 2 days before I leave even after I told them I already booked my flight for a thousand dollars. The lady just handed me the papers back, looked away and started talking to the other people behind the glass while I continued to ask questions but got no help. I left crying and they didn't say one word of advice or help me at all. Never again will I go back. Word of advice triple check to make sure you have the exact paperwork because they will deny and not help one bit. Worst experience. Now I might not even be able to study abroad. Very disappointed in the way I was treated. They tell you to go there and be very respectful but the officers and staff were beyond disrespectful to me and many others that were there.

The Italian consulate in NY has absolutely redeemed itself, of late. My every qualm regarding service and politeness has evaporated.
The current team is both courteous and professional, while the wait time has been reduced to a very reasonable minimum.

It was a pleasant 2 visits that I initially dreaded and I was proven pleasantly wrong!

Good work, all! Thank you!

I've been trying to confirm an appointment I have for 10/25. I called, the person was rude, said I had to do it online. Well, I did go online and there is no way I can confirm this online. the service is soooo bad! I'm Italian and I cannot tolerate Italian arrogance that I find at this consulate.

TODAYS DATE IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 2013- 3PM IN THE AFTER NOON. I HAVE CALLED 5 TIMES AND NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT PICK UP THE PHONE-THERE IS NO ANSWERING MACHINE-

REALLY PEOPLE?? REALLY??? NO HONESTLY REALLY??????

ON PRIOR DATES WHEN I DID GET THROUGH , I HAD A SIMPLE QUESTION REGARDING WHAT ARE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REGARDING FAMILY INHERITANCE-YOU KNOW WHAT THEY TOLD ME-HIRE A LAWYER-AND OR GO TO ITALY YOURSELF-WTF???? A SIMPLE QUESTION AND THEY HAVE THESE KIND OF ANSWERS

THEY WERE NO HELP-NO ANSWER OF VITAL QUESTIONS- THEY CAN NOT SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE-MEANWHILE MY INHERITANCE IS ROBBED IN ITALY-ALL LAWYERS AND I MEAN ALL ARE THIEVES, AND THESE PEOPLE SET YOU UP TO BE ROBBED BY THEM-HORRIBLE WHAT A NIGHTMARE

Unnecessary rude and told me they were closed even though I had an appointment and was there before their posted closing time. I explained to the insincere lady through the Telecom (she didn't even have the decency to let me into the office) that I traveled for an hour and a half to get there and I wasn't even going to apply for a visa. I just had a few questions. She was rude and told me to email them and that the information was on their website. I had obviously been to their website hence why I had an appointment and their website points you to get an appointment. Wasted my time and the people there were unnecessary rude. Be advised they will not treat u with respect if you go to this consulate.

A PATHETIC BUNCH OF INDIVISUALS DESTROYING THE IMAGE OF ITALIAN GOVT UNCOOPERATIVE DISGRAZING VISA SEEKERS AND CUSTOMERS 3rd class service and facilities.

They never pick up the phone! It took me two weeks calling every day to talk with someone, and even then they were rude and unhelpful.

They apparently have an aversion to answering the phones ; no menu provided, no instructions, no voicemail while the office is "open"

If you are homesick for how "Italian" things are made .... if you are homesick for the dysfunctionality of Italian public offices ... here you are satisfied !!! Go through that door and voila '!!! Let's not talk about wanting to have a telephone contact .... IMPOSSIBLE !!!! I simply have no words. I would simply start with a mass layoff .... and go! Ridiculous .... of course I write this after not one ... but multiple (not positive) experiences with the consulate.

Very professional, pleasant and polite people working here, my daughter and I were in and out within an hour after our scheduled appointment with her new passport in hand. Follow the instructions on the website, confirm your appointment, bring all necessary documents, bring cash and you will have a fast efficient appointment. Very good experience, I was pleasantly surprised.