Has anyone been to Italy? We need to get Visas ASAP but are getting the run around on-base and at the Italian Consulate in Tokyo.  The receiving command isn't much help either.

Thanks!

Did a tour there 2007-2009. Big change going from the Japanese to the Italian work ethic, but a beautiful place and lots cheaper to travel. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will help out as much as I can.

The passport office/PSD/ travel office on base is supposed to handle your visas. We previously lived in Naples and they did handle passport office but you could not obtain a visa since you were already in the country. I had friends who came to Naples for Yokosuka. The Yokosuka PSD had told them they could get their visas once they were in Italy. That was a big lie. They moved to Italy and were there for a month when they were told they had to go back to the US to begin the paper work for their visas. (The Navy did not pay for their flight because it was 'their fault' they hadn't done things in the correct procedure.) I remember that they said in hind sight they should have made the passport office in Japan do the work. I know that doesn't actually help with details of getting you visas. I just wanted to let you know that they shouldn't jerk you around and make you think you have to wait for your visa or do the work all by yourself. You are not the first person who has moved from Japan to Italy and they should know the procedures by now.

Poopy, where did you work there? We were there 2007-2010

Spent 6 years in Italy, best tour ever. Didn't need visa's in 1999 when we first got assigned there. Like others said PSD should help you with the VISA process.

I was in northern Italy, Naples was described to me as a beautiful woman with ugly feet.

Enjoy your tour, I would go back in a heart beat.

Thanks all! Going to try to convince someone on base to help us tomorrow!

The PSD Yokosuka did not help us out in obtaining our Italian visa at all. They told us that we can get it by ourselves and this was back in 2001. I remember that we stayed overnight in a hotel because the embassy would not release same day visa.

there should be a dept in PSD that can help you obtain your visa on your no-fee passport

Octerobersongs, I worked out at Bagnoli on the COMUSNAVEUR staff.  What about you?

Stationed there from 03-05. We did all the paperwork at the embassy in Tokyo. If I recall we also had to apply for the "nulla osta" or country clearance. We just walked in with all of our paperwork and it was an easy three day wait.

Perfect timing for this thread - I just got a tentative for Naples.

Naples was awesome!!! You either love it or you hate it! Experience italian culture and you'll love it!