Student Visa in Italy: The Ultimate Guide

Ah, student life in Italy—where your study breaks involve cappuccinos and world-class art.

But before you start dreaming of Venetian canals and Roman amphitheaters, there’s the not-so-small matter of securing your student visa.

Don’t worry; we’re breaking down the process faster than you can say, ‘When in Rome…

Education In Italy

Italian universities are among the oldest universities in the world.

Unlike in North America or Northern Europe, where discussion-based teaching is highly emphasized, the structure of the higher education system in Italy is more formal, and most teaching in Italy takes place in large lecture halls.

Students are also expected to complete a considerable amount of self-study hours outside the classroom in order to prepare for examinations.

Higher education examinations are held after the teaching period and are mainly oral exams, meaning you’ll be tested through a one-on-one conversation with your professor.

Furthermore, examinations take place over a significantly extended period of 4 to 6 weeks, and students can choose when to schedule their exams. Each examination is offered on several dates, and students can choose when to take their exams.

Students are also entitled to turn down a mark and retake the examination if they are not satisfied with their initial result, which is graded on a 30-point scale.

What Is It Like Studying In Italy?

You can take in all the country has to offer in your free time. World-class options include the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

You’ll also be able to enjoy the outstanding Italian cuisine, go hiking in the Italian Alps, and soak up the sun on beautiful beaches.

Try checking out the fashion hotspots in metropolitan cities such as Milan, Naples, and Venice, or sample the unique atmosphere of a Serie A football match at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The higher education system in Italy is divided into universities and non-university institutions. They can be classified as follows:

Universities include private and publicly funded universities, with the majority being the latter. This includes graduate schools (Scuola Superiore Universitaria), telematics universities, and province-funded ones. There are around 90 universities in total.

Non-universities are sector-specific academies specializing in arts, known as AFAM (Institutes of High Training in Art, Music, and Dance).

There are also technical institutions, schools of higher education in language mediation, and schools of higher integrated education.

Qualifications are structured as follows:

First cycle/Laurea Triennale – comparable to a Bachelor’s/undergraduate degree (180 credits) and lasts three years.
Second cycle/Laurea Magistrale – consists of two years of study equivalent to a master’s degree (120 credits).
Specialist Masters programs/Master Universitario di 1° Livello – usually involve one year of study and provide students with professional knowledge (60 credits).
Postgraduate diploma/Specializzazione di 2° Livello – a two-year course training specialists for specific professional sectors.
Single cycle Masters programs/Laurea Magistrale Ciclo Unico – a five or six-year Masters program allowing entry for school leavers (300-360 credits).
Third cycle/Dottorato di Ricerca – three-year, PhD-level programs.

How Much Does It Cost To Study In Italy?

Tuition fees to study in Italy will differ depending on the university and the course that you choose, so it’s essential to check with institutions individually to find out about costs.

Some undergraduate courses at public institutions are free, while others cost up to €5,000 (£4,358) per year, with the average working out at around €1,500 (£1,307). Annual fees at private universities typically range from €3,000 (£2,615) to €35,000 (£30,504).

Students from the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) generally have to pay less for courses than Italian citizens at public universities.

Still, the costs may be higher for other international students, such as those from the UK.

Funding To Study In Italy

The same rules apply to international students as Italian students when it comes to scholarships and grants.

All students can apply for them, with funding distributed depending on an individual’s financial situation and academic merit. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, meal tickets, and fee waivers.

There are different types of funding you can apply for, and the international office at your chosen university can help you decide your options.

For example, Bologna University offers international students 15 scholarships worth €11,059 (£9,641) per year.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that Italy is one of the more expensive EU countries, with living expenses in the north considerably higher than in the south.

Is There A Student Visa In Italy?

Foreign nationals who want to study in Italy for longer than three months may have to apply for an Italy Student Visa.

Whether or not you need a visa depends on your nationality. In addition to the visa, you will also need an Italian residence permit.

An Italian student visa is a type of Italian long-stay visa (also known as a national or D-visa). It is the Italy visa you must apply for to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days.

The student visa for Italy is only an entrance visa. This means it grants you the right to enter Italy, but if you want to legally stay and study in Italy for longer than three months, you also have to apply for an Italian residence permit.

You can only apply for an Italian residence permit in Italy. This is why an entrance visa is necessary.

How To Get A Study Visa For Italy?

Accept An Offer From A University

Pay any necessary fees to secure your place at your chosen Italian university.

Contact Or Visit Your Nearest Consulate Or Embassy

Find out the exact visa process for your home country, including the documents you need to complete, and schedule an interview for your Italian visa application.

Attend A Visa Interview

Submit the documents asked for and pay the fee for this application.

Wait For The Results

You will receive a visa outcome in writing.

Apply For A Residence Permit

Within eight days of arriving in Italy, you must apply for your residence permit at your nearest Questura — a police station. EU students must also complete this step within 20 days of entering the country.

Receive A Permit

Your permit may take a couple of months to be created, so that you may be issued a temporary document within this time.

What Are The Italy Student Visa Requirements?

When you apply for an Italian student visa, you must have several documents to support your application. You must also fulfill several conditions, such as already being enrolled in an Italian educational institution.

The requirements for an Italy student visa are:

The Italy Student Visa Application Form.
Recent passport-size photographs in line with Italian visa picture requirements (35mm x 45mm. Light, preferably white, background, Face must take up 70% – 80% of the picture, Neutral facial expression)
Travel document valid for at least three more months after the expiry of your visa and with at least two blank visa pages.
Photocopies of previous visas.
Civil status documents, such as birth or marriage certificates.
Proof of enrollment or pre-enrollment in an Italian university course.
Police clearances from your home country.
Proof of accommodation in Italy, such as apartment rental or student housing.
Proof of sufficient financial means.
Adequate health insurance for Italy, which covers medical treatment and hospitalization.
Certificates of prior education.
Depending on the language, the educational program is in Proof of English or Italian knowledge.
Receipt of paid visa fee.

In the event that the student is a minor, they must have a signed document consenting to the travel by both parents or legal guardians.

An authorized translator must translate all documents not in Italian or English.

How Much Bank Balance Do I Need For An Italian Student Visa?

To obtain a student visa in Italy, you must show Proof that you have a minimum of €460.28 per month (as of 2023) during your stay in the country with a student visa.

You can show Proof of financial means by submitting bank statements, a sponsor letter, or evidence that another third party is financing you to study in Italy.

How Much Does An Italy Student Visa Cost?

The processing fee for an Italian student visa is €50. However, the price may differ depending on your nationality, and this does not include other additional costs or service fees.

How To Apply For A Student Visa In Italy?

You must apply for an Italian student visa in your home country’s Italian embassy or consulate. In the event that no Italian embassy/consulate operates in your country, you have to apply to whatever location that Italy has outsourced visa submissions to.

This could be a Visa Application Center or the embassy/consulate of another Schengen country.

However, you first have to contact them to book an appointment. Afterward, you gather all the required documents and submit them in person on your arranged date.

Make sure to bring the originals of all your documents as well as photocopies and that you have everything.

On the day you apply, you will also enter a visa interview.

Keep the visa processing time in mind when you apply for your visa. It takes around three weeks, sometimes more, for an application to be processed. So, you have to apply:

At The Latest: Two weeks before your planned trip
At The Earliest: Three months before your planned trip

You will receive your Italian student visa if you have all the necessary documents and the Italian embassy decides you meet the conditions.

Once you do, you may enter Italy, where you have to apply for an Italian residence permit.

Language Requirements For Studying In Italy

In order to obtain a study visa for Italy, there are no specific language requirements. Since this is one of the mandatory conditions for admission at an Italian university, consulates don’t consider applicants to present any proof of language proficiency as well.

However, visa officers will be more impressed and appreciate it if you speak Italian, at least on a conversational level. For example, you can say “hi” and introduce yourself by speaking in Italian.

For your English-taught degree at an Italian university, you need to pass one of the following English language tests:

IELTS Academic
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Duolingo

First, check which test or tests the university accepts before scheduling an examination date.

Residence Permit For Italy Student Visa

Within eight days of entering Italy with a student visa, you must approach your local post office to submit a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) application. There, you will receive an application kit with the necessary forms. You also need to submit the following documents:

A copy of your passport, the bio-data, and visa pages.
A copy of your health insurance.
A copy of your acceptance letter to your university.

Your local Italian post office will give you a receipt confirming your residence permit request. Then, you also have to apply at the local Italian Questura (the police headquarters). You have to submit a residence permit request for “Study – University”.

Can You Work With A Student Visa In Italy?

With a student visa for Italy, you are only allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year.

In addition, once your studies are finished, you can apply to convert your residence permit from a student one to a work permit. You can only do this once the Italian immigration system for non-EU foreign workers, the “decreto flussi,” is opened.

How Long Is A Student Visa Valid In Italy?

The Italian study visa is available for a maximum of one year initially, with the possibility of renewal for the duration of your courses.

However, in order for you to renew a student visa, you have to pass all your yearly exams at university.

Can I Bring My Family Members With Me To Italy On A Student Visa?

You can only bring close family members to Italy under an Italian visa, such as your spouse or children. They must apply for an Italian family visa to bring them with them.

However, they cannot begin applying for a family visa unless they apply first for an authorization known as “Nulla Osta”.

Once you apply for a “Nulla Osta” for your family members, the immigration office in your local area will process your request.

If the authorization is granted, the immigration office will send it to you so you can forward it to your family member abroad.

At the same time, the immigration office will also send it to your home country’s corresponding Italian embassy or consulate. Once a “Nulla Osta” is granted, your family members can begin applying for an Italy family visa.

9 Reasons To Study Abroad In Italy

Imagine learning about art or architecture in a study abroad Italy program. You may want to experience life in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.

A Florence study abroad program is ideal for exploring art history, building a portfolio, or studying high-end fashion.

Or you may want to study abroad in historical Rome, romantic Venice, or business-centric Milan.

Students may enroll for a semester or a year; some earn their entire degree in Italy. After all, a study abroad program is about immersing yourself in the culture.

You Get To Experience Italian Culture

Italy has influenced global culture with some of the world’s richest collections of art, architecture, cuisine, and music.

An immersive study abroad experience in Italy helps you develop an expanded world perspective and cultural appreciation.

Whether it’s a study abroad Rome program or another location, you get a chance to experience Italian culture. For example, Italians take an afternoon break, or riposo, during the hottest part of the day. After lunch, it’s time for a quick nap.

There Are Plenty Of Programs To Choose From

Study abroad programs in Italy are some of the most popular because of the country’s food, scenery, historical sites, and museums.

There are plenty of programs to choose from, including fashion, creative writing, and visual art. The best study abroad programs focus on majors such as communications, design, language, medicine, or architecture.

A Florence study abroad program might offer humanities and social sciences courses. On the other hand, a Rome study abroad program could expand a student’s film and media studies experience.

You’ll Receive A High-Quality Education

Students worldwide come to Italy to study and gain insight into their field through a different cultural lens.

Italy boasts a high-quality education system and is home to the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world. The country has been a hub for hundreds of years of art, science, and higher education.

One of the most well-known universities in Italy for science and engineering is the University of Padova.

You Can Learn Italian In An Immersive Environment

Even if you’re not a language major, learning another language can help you communicate when you travel abroad. It can also make you a more competitive job applicant and expand career opportunities in foreign relations, tourism, and marketing.

Furthermore, learning another language is good for your brain. Still, becoming fluent takes time and commitment.

Living with a host family instead of living in a dorm or student housing forces you to communicate in Italian. You’ll also get to experience authentic Italian life.

You Can Eat Authentic Italian Cuisine

One of the exciting things about studying abroad is the opportunity to discover new foods. In Italy, you can broaden your palate and experience authentic Italian cuisine.

Shop at the local markets, research local delicacies in your area and treat yourself to a gelato once in a while.

You’ll also experience food customs and etiquette. For example, Italians eat dinner late, between 8 pm and 9 pm. In the summer, they might eat even later.

It’s An Inexpensive Country To Travel In

Eurail Italy covers 10,000 miles, including 600 miles of high-speed rail, making it the most convenient way to travel. For instance, taking the train from Florence to explore smaller cities like Pisa or Siena is easy.

Housing may be included in your study abroad program. If it’s not, it could significantly increase how much college costs. Living in a homestay outside a big city and taking the train to school can reduce living costs.

You Can Explore A Variety Of Beautiful Landscapes

Studying abroad in Italy can deepen your learning experience and get to know the locals by exploring the country’s scenic countryside. Italy’s diverse landscapes range from sunny beaches to snow-capped mountains.

Hike the high alpine meadows above Cortina to see a spectacular display of wildflowers in bloom from June to September.

Along the coast, you can also cycle the Italian Riviera between San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedelettti. Or take a leisurely trip through the Italian countryside on a regional train.

You Can Experience Beautiful Cities

Italy’s history comes alive within its cities’ plazas, cathedrals, museums, parks, and historic gardens. Ancient, Renaissance, and modern styles of architecture from Florence to Venice make Italian cities a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Colosseum, designed to seat 5,000 people, is the most famous structure in Italy.

The country is also home to awe-inspiring cathedrals and basilicas that house world-renowned sculptures, frescoes, and paintings. You can explore some of the world’s most famous museums as well.

You Can Immerse Yourself In History

The center of Florence was among the first Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, Italy is the global leader in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 58 landmarks and 40 more locations under consideration.

While studying abroad, you’ll immerse yourself in Italian history, from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to the Pantheon and the Colosseum in Rome.

You may also get the chance to visit Verona to explore Roman remains in the Porta Borsari, the Arco dei Gavi, and the Verona Arena.

Conclusion

So there you have it, your student visa to Italy—sorted, stamped, and served on a silver platter. Well, almost. Now, all that’s left is to book that flight and pack your bags (don’t forget the study material!).

Study Sorted!

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