How to Obtain an Italian Student Visa

Are you contemplating the prospect of studying abroad and aspiring to pursue your higher education at a renowned Italian university? Congratulations on your exciting journey!

Italian universities are globally acclaimed for their academic excellence. By choosing Italy as your destination for higher education, you not only gain access to exceptional teaching but also immerse yourself in the renowned culinary delights, splendid architectural marvels, and countless breathtaking attractions the country has to offer.

If you’ve made the decision to embark on your educational adventure in Italy and hail from an EU/EEA country, here’s the great news: you won’t be required to obtain an Italian student visa. However, for all other non-EU/EEA students, the following steps will guide you in preparing and applying for your student visa:

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1. Submit an application to an Italian university and get Admission letter.

If you’re still uncertain about your choice of university in Italy, it’s essential to make that decision before initiating the student visa application process. Once you receive an acceptance letter from your selected Italian university, this document will be a prerequisite for your visa application.

Here are some of the finest universities in Italy to consider:

1. 1. University of Bologna
   2. Sapienza University of Rome
   3. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
   4. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies Pisa
   5. University of Padua
   6. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
   7. The University of Milan
   8. Tor Vergata University of Rome
   9. University of Milano – Bicocca
   10. Politecnico di Milano
   11. University of Brescia
   12. University of Pavia
   13. University of Trento
   14. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
   15. University of Ferrara
   16. University of Florence
   17. University of Genoa
   18. University of Insubria
   19. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – UNIMORE
   20. University of Naples Federico II
   21. University of Pisa
   22. University of Salerno
   23. University of Turin
   24. University of Verona
   25. Polytechnic University of Bari
   26. Università degli Studi della Tuscia
   27. Università di Urbino
   28. University of Bari Aldo
   29. University of Camerino
   30. University of L´Aquila
   31. University of Messina
   32. University of Perugia
   33. University of Sassari
   34. University of Trieste
   35. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
   36. Gabriele d’Annunzio University
   37. Marche Polytechnic University
   38. Politecnico di Torino
   39. Roma Tre University
   40. University of Bergamo
   41. University of Calabria
   42. University of Catania
   43. University of Naples Parthenope
   44. University of Palermo
   45. University of Parma
   46. University of Siena
   47. University of Udine
   48. University of Eastern Piedmont
   49. University Of Foggia
   50. University of Salento
   51. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
   52. Humanitas University
   53. Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
   54. International School for Advanced Studies
   55. The University of Cagliari
   56. European University Institute (EUI)
   57. University of Cassino and Southern Lazio

2. Determine the specific type of visa required for your study purposes in Italy.

While EU/EEA students can study in Italy without a visa, other international students aren’t so lucky. Still, the visa application process becomes less complicated when you have all the necessary information.

Depending on how long you plan to stay in Italy and what you will study, you need to apply for one of the following visa types:

• Short-stay visa (type C) – if you apply for a language or a short course that lasts less than 90 days
• Long-stay visa (type D) – if you apply for any degree course that has at least 20 hours of courses per week (or 80 hours per month) and lasts more than 90 days

The easiest way to find out if you need a visa is to answer a few simple questions on the official Visa for Italy website.

For example, citizens from some non-EU/EEA countries do not need to apply for a visa if they plan to stay in Italy less than 90 days. Here are a few examples:

• The United States of America
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong (SAR)
• Ukraine

3. Criteria that must be satisfied to be eligible for a visa in Italy

• You should possess a valid passport with a minimum of two blank visa pages
• provide a copy of your flight itinerary
• offer evidence of accommodation/hospitality
• have a clean criminal record
• Bank statement or proof of financial support for the period of stay
• have not previously been refused entry to Italy

4. where and when you should apply for a student visa in Italy

• Apply for visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country.
• Schedule a visa interview around 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
• Apply for a student visa at least 3 months before your arrival in Italy. The processing time of your application may take between 1–3 weeks and sometimes longer.

5. Guidance for Applying for a Student Visa in Italy

If you missed scheduling an appointment at least 4 weeks in advance, check with the consulate for cancellations and try to schedule the appointment date earlier.

If you are not able to reach the consulate for the visa interview, you may schedule an appointment at an Honorary Consulate, if it is closer to your home. However, first check with the consulate in your area if this option is available.

6.Required Documents for an Italian Student Visa”

• Entry visa application form
• Recent passport-size photograph(s)
• Valid travel document (the expiry date should be three months longer than that of the visa requested)
• Proof that you have arranged accommodation in Italy (for the whole period of your studies)
• Prove you have sufficient financial means to support your studies (at least 550 EUR/month)
• Paid health insurance  for the first year of studies
• Copy of the diploma of a previous education
• DOV(Dichiarazione di valore, Declaration of Value ) to be requested to the Italian embassy in the diploma issuing country OR CIMEA Statement of comparability.
• Acceptance letter from an Italian University
• University pre-enrollment (https://www.universitaly.it)
• Visa application fee

7. Once in Italy

1. Health Insurance

   International students must cover the whole length of their studies in Italy with a Health Insurance.

   Being covered by a Health Insurance is compulsory in order to apply for the Residence Permit that will last as long as your health insurance.

   You have three options:

   a) Register with the Italian National Health Service (“SSN”) to get the Health Card (“Tessera Sanitaria”) and rely on public Healthcare as if you were Italian. The SSN will give you access to a general practitioner and reduced prices for medical examinations and treatments.
   The registration period is valid from January to December, necessitating renewal in January of the subsequent year
   In order to register, you must go to the Post Office (Piazza della Posta 1, Pavia) and pay a 149,77€ payment form (“bollettino”) to be filled in with the following information:
   “C/C postale n. 379222 – Intestato a: Amministrazione P.T. Regione Lombardia – Causale: iscrizione volontaria S.S.N.”
   Upon receiving the receipt of payment, you will be able to apply for the Permit of Stay, as outlined below. Then, after submitting the application for the Residence Permit, you will need to book an appointment at ASST Pavia Healthcare Centre (Via Indipendenza 3, Pavia) to finalize your registration and be assigned a doctor.
   Required documents:

   • Passport
   • Tax code ( Codice fiscale)
   • Receipt of the Residence Permit application
   • Receipt of the payment for registration with the Italian National Health Service (“SSN”)
   • Self-certification of enrolment at the University
   • Self-certification of accommodation (this form will be available directly at ASST)

   b) Register with Poste Salute, the Post Office Health Insurance, at Poste Italiane (Piazza della Posta 1, Pavia).

   c) Purchase a private Health Insurance from abroad or in Italy.
   Please note that private insurances mainly cover expenses only if you are hospitalized by ambulance or through the Emergency Room: if you choose this option, make sure to check all the contract conditions.

2. Residence Permit

   Non-EU students are required to get the Residence Permit (“Permesso di soggiorno”) within 8 days from their arrival in Italy.
   In order to be assisted in filling out the Residence Permit application (“KIT”), book an appointment at the International Student Helpdesk, located at the Police Station (Questura, Via Rismondo 68, Pavia).
   In case of quarantine upon arrival, book an appointment at the end of your quarantine (you are not required to respect the 8 days deadline).

   Required documents:

   • Photocopy of your passport (without blank pages)
   • Photocopy of a health insurance policy (public or private)/receipt of the payment of SSN registration. The duration of your health insurance/SSN registration will determine the expiration date of your residence permit!
   • Proof of enrolment at the University of Pavia: self-certification of enrolment at the University (to download from the Student Portal)
   • Proof of accomodation: photocopy of your house lease or, if guest in one of the residences, a letter signed by the rector or the bursar of the residence
   • Proof of economic support: photocopy of scholarship/bank account details/front and back of your credit card
   • A 16€ revenue stamp (“marca da bollo”), to buy at the tobacco shop

   Once the KIT has been filled in, you must hand it in to the Post Office (Piazza della Posta 1, Pavia) in order to send it to the Immigration Authorities. Fees will cost 146,92 €.
   After sending the KIT you will receive a receipt of your application, which will have the same value as the Residence Permit until the document is ready, so remember to always carry it with you.
   Lastly you will receive a text message with an appointment date for photo signalling and taking your fingerprints at Questura di Pavia. When going to the appointment, do not forget to bring the originals of all the above-mentioned documents, the Post Office receipt and 4 passport photos (with white background).
   The status of your Residence Permit can always be checked on Portale Immigrazione (use the username and password that can be found on the Post Office receipt).

   Please note that UK citizens on the contrary, must send an email to immig.quest.pv.regnounito@pecps.poliziadistato.it attaching the following documents:
   Arrival before 31/12/2020: ID/Passport and a proof of your arrival before this date;
   Arrival after 31/12/2020: Passport with Visa.

3. Italian SIM Card

   Get an Italian sim cards which include a monthly plan that usually covers phone calls and gigabytes. The main phone companies are TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad and Lycamobile.

   It is possible to buy a sim online or at the designated shops by providing passport and fiscal code.