Application for study visas for non-EU students for the academic year 2022/2023

The Ministry of University and Research declared that Enrollment Procedures still need to follow the provisions of the Italian government and the European Union regarding the Covid-19 emergency. Distance learning may still be preferred to physical attendance. In any case, applications are open for pre-registration and entry Visas, essential to attend in-person courses.

Conditions to apply for an Italian Study VISA in 2022

You can apply for the Italian Study Visa if you fall under one of the following:

1. Foreign candidates who need a visa to enter Italy for long-term stays in order to enroll in higher education institutions;
2. Students who need to obtain and/or renew a residence permit;
3. All students and candidates to courses that have obtained a final and/or partial foreign qualification and who intend to enroll at Italian institutions of higher education.

With regard solely to procedures relating to the issuance of an entry visa and the related residence permit, these procedures shall not apply to:

1. EU citizens, as well as those from Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and the Swiss Confederation, the Republic of San Marino and Vatican City;
2. Students already legally present in Italy;
3. Students already present in the Schengen area and recipients of scholarships as part of the programs of the European Union;
4. Students already present in the Schengen area and beneficiaries of scholarships within the framework of European Union programs of education, training and research, to whom the instructions given for the “Erasmus Mundus” extended to the “Erasmus Plus” program, already apply.

Pre-enrollment procedures for Italian Universities

To start the procedures for University pre-enrollment, students need to access the UNIVERSITALY portal and fill out the online application form.

Procedures for pre-enrollment in University Master courses, Doctorate courses, Schools of Specialization and foundation courses do not follow the deadlines for enrollment in Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses, but are carried out according to the deadlines decided by the individual institutions.

Mind each University assessment procedure

Universities may carry out their own prior assessment of individual applications, asking students to provide a study or any other documentation deemed useful for said assessment (i.e. certificate from foreign official bodies, certificate issued by the Italian ENIC-NARIC center etc.).

These documents must be delivered directly by the student to the academic authorities during the completion of matriculation procedures in Italy, according to the procedures and timing established.

For the evaluation procedure of qualifications carried out by Italian Institutions, students can check directly with the institution of interest if and what type of translation shall be provided (sworn, certified, etc..) or whether there are exceptions to such requirement.

Italian language proficiency test to access University

Each institution independently organizes Italian language proficiency tests, compulsory for all bachelor’s and master’s degree (those of five years).

However, you are exempted if you fall under the following:

1. Students in possession of a five-year or four-year secondary school diploma obtained at Italian state and paritarian schools abroad;
2. Students in possession of one of the secondary school final qualifications listed in Attachment 2 of the official “Procedure for entry, stay and matriculation of International Students in Italy“;
3. Holders of complementary certificates to the final secondary school qualification obtained in Argentina, which attest the attendance of a course of study including the teaching, for at least 5 years, of the Italian language, pursuant to Law n. 210 of 7.6.1999 (G.U. n. 152 of 1.7.1999);
4. Students who have obtained a Diploma in Italian language and culture from the University for Foreigners of Perugia and Siena;
5. Students who have obtained certificates of competence in Italian language, in the grade corresponding to levels C1 and C2 of the Council of Europe, issued under the quality system CLIQ (Certificazione Lingua Italiana di Qualità), which brings together in association of the current certifying bodies: University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, University of Roma Tre, Dante Alighieri Society, as well as issued by the University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria, also in agreement with the Italian Institutes of Culture abroad or other accredited other accredited subjects;
6. For enrollment in Master’s degree courses, students in possession of the qualifications indicated in points d) and e) are exempt from the language proficiency test provided by the University,

Requirements for obtaining a visa for study purposes

Once the pre-enrollment application has been completed, all candidates must apply to the Italian diplomatic-consular Representation of their country of residence for an Italian Visa for study reasons for university matriculation (type D “national”) and, subsequently, a residence permit.

In order to obtain the Italian Study Visa, international students must demonstrate possession of the following requirements:

1. Sufficient financial resources to support their stay in Italy. These are quantified in the amount of €467.65/month, for each month of the academic year, equal to €6,079.45 per year. The availability of these means of support in Italy must be proven by: personal financial guarantees, or those of parents, institutions or Italian or foreign citizens regularly residing in the territory of the State, or provided by Italian institutions and bodies with established credit, including universities, local governments, foreign institutions and bodies considered reliable by the Italian diplomatic representative;
2. The availability of the sum needed for repatriation, which can also be proved by showing the return ticket;
3. Suitable accommodation in the national territory;
4. Adequate insurance coverage for medical care and hospitalizations (art. 39 c.3 T.U. n. 286/1998 and Directive 01.03.2000 of the Ministry of the Interior), which the student must demonstrate at the time of application for the residence permit;
5. Foreign insurance policy, whose forms of assistance provided are valid in Italy and that must not involve limitations or exceptions to the rates established for urgent hospitalization for its entire duration;
6. Insurance policy with national agencies or companies accompanied by a declaration from the insurance company specifying the absence of limitations or exceptions to the rates established for urgent hospitalization for its entire duration.

Documents drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation in Italian.

What to do once you arrive in Italy

Once arrived in Italy with the Type-D Study Visa, applicants must submit within 8 working days from their arrival the application for a residence permit for study reasons to the competent Police Headquarters of the city in which they intend to set their residence.