There are many rumors and misconceptions floating around about whether or not dependents require an official (no fee) passport and visa prior to arriving at Aviano Air Base (or any Italian base). 

To answer the question... YES, and here is why:

1.   IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PASSPORTS AND ITALIAN VISAS FOR INBOUND PERSONNEL.   There has been an increase in members arriving at bases in Italy without the required no-fee or official passports containing Italian mission visas.  This results in many problems for the family.   

1. As you prepare for your PCS, if you are active duty military bringing dependents or are a DoD civilian (with or without dependents), it is absolutely essential that *prior* to leaving your current assignment each member have the mandatory required no-fee or official passport that contains an Italian Missione Visa!  If the passport agent at losing base gives you any different guidance, it is in error and they must refer to the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide.  A tourist passport CANNOT be used in place of the no-fee passport.
   
   
2. If the required documents are not in-hand *prior* to departure and subsequent arrival in Italy, members will not permitted to enter Italy or will be subject to deportation should they somehow arrive without them.  U.S. Passport Agents in Italy cannot process Italian mission visa applications.  NOTE: EU citizens do not require a visa.
3. Blue no-fee passports are issued to dependents of military members, maroon official passports are issued to DoD civilians and their dependents.  To distinguish a blue no-fee passport from a blue tourist passport, the no-fee has the following statement in the back: “This passport is valid only for use in connection with the bearer’s residence abroad as a dependent of a member of the American military or naval forces on active duty outside the United States.”  No-Fee Passports are used for official travel of dependents, while Tourist Passports are used for all leave-type and leisure travel.
4. All DoD Civilians and their dependents must apply for their visas through the Passport Matters Office in Crystal City, VA and receive the Missione Visa from the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C.  Work with the passport agent at the losing base to apply for the visa.
5. Military dependents and DoD civilians and their dependents should delay their arrival in Italy until the Italian Missione Visas are obtained.
6. If the Active Duty Member is on an unaccompanied tour and has Italy as a follow-on assignment the dependents still must have the visas for their dependents no-fee passports prior to their arrival in Italy.  Work with the passport agent at your unaccompanied location for the specific requirements for how and where your dependents should apply for the visas at their designated location in the U.S.
7. Members and dependents should not go directly to Italian Embassies and Consulates to apply for visas.

2. RESULTING PROBLEMS: 
Not having the Italian Missione Visa in the proper passport results in the following problems:

1. Members are not covered by the SOFA Agreement and are only legally allowed to be in Italy for 90 days as a “tourist.”  They then must exit Italy, obtain the visa, and reenter lawfully.
2. Members cannot obtain a Codice Fiscale (similar to an American social security number).  Without this, members cannot set up an account with Banca Popolare (the on-base Italian bank) to pay rent, phone bills, or utilities, they cannot register vehicles, and they cannot establish a phone contract.
3. Members cannot obtain a Soggiorno, which is an authorization permit issued by the Italian government to reside in Italy more than 90 days.  Without a Soggiorno, members cannot travel on AMC flights to/from base and cannot apply for Non-Appropriated or Appropriated fund jobs.
4. The Passport Agent at your local Military Personnel Section should assist you in acquiring the necessary no-fee or official passports and visas.  Entry requirements for Italy can be found in the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide at https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/