Check here if you need a Study visa

 

Before coming to Italy as a student, you might need to get a study visa. Firstly, you must be at least 18 years old, unless you’re participating in an exchange program and are over 14. You need to show that you’ll be studying full-time or undergoing professional training that matches your previous education.

The Study Visa (Type D – National Visa) is a visa allowing non-EU citizens to enter Italy for a long-term stay, always with a specific duration. This visa is granted within a quota established by law to individuals who intend to pursue studies in Italy. These studies may include university courses, exchange programs, cultural initiatives, Italian government assistance and cooperation programs, advanced research, high culture endeavors, or secondary education courses and training internships.

In Italy, students residing in the country are generally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week, totaling a maximum of 1040 hours annually. This regulation allows students to gain work experience and earn income while prioritizing their academic obligations.

Student in EU

According to the law TU 286/98 article 39 paragraph 4-bis, non-EU citizens who are already legally residing in another European country and continue their studies in Italy as part of an exchange program do not require a visa for entry.

If you possess a permit or visa for study purposes in an EU country and are covered by an EU or multilateral program or an agreement between universities, you can undertake part of your studies and work (in addition to your studies) in Italy, provided you meet specific requirements. You’re allowed to reside and study in Italy for up to 360 days.

Similarly, if you’re a student with a valid authorization to study issued by another EU Member State and you’re enrolled in a program benefiting from an EU or multilateral program allowing mobility or from an agreement between educational institutions, you can enter and stay in Italy for a maximum of 360 days to continue your studies without needing a visa or residence permit. Upon arrival, you must declare your presence at the Police headquarters (Questura) within eight days.

During this declaration, you’ll need to present the necessary documentation for your registration at the Police Headquarters (Questura). However, if the EU Member State that issued your study authorization doesn’t fully apply the Schengen Acquis, you’ll need to provide a copy of your study authorization and documentation related to your enrolled student program during the registration at the Police Headquarters (Questura) refer to the applicable procedure.

Where and how to apply

To apply for an entry visa to Italy for Study purpose, visit the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. You could schedule an appointment online or by phone. Here you can find the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. Or you can consider an External Services Providers listed here.

Once approved, your visa will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to travel to Italy within the visa’s validity period. 

Documents required

Applying for a Study visa, make sure you can show that you have been accepted into an Italian educational institution. Additionally, ensure you have health insurance coverage, arranged accommodation, and enough money to support yourself during your stay, including funds for your journey back home. These are essential requirements for obtaining a Study visa for Italy:

  • Application Form for Entry Visa
  • A recent passport-size photograph.
  • A valid travel document with an expiry date at least three months longer than the requested visa duration.
  • Evidence of accommodation in Italy, such as a hotel booking or a declaration of hospitality.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means for your stay in Italy, meeting the specified amount outlined in Table A of the Ministry of the Interior Directive dated March 1st, 2000, with changes according to the annual parameters set by ISTAT.
  • Health insurance, if you’re not covered by existing agreements or conventions for healthcare in Italy.

  • Enrollment or pre-enrollment for courses in Italy can take various forms, each with its own set of requirements and procedures:

    1. UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT: This involves enrolling or pre-enrolling in a course at an Italian university. The criteria and procedures for this are outlined annually by the Ministry of Education, Universities, and Research (MIUR), in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Ministry of the Interior.

    2. INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSITY COURSE: Enrolling (according to the timeline set by MIUR regulations) in one or more individual courses or university “stages” at Italian state or privately authorized universities that issue legally recognized degrees.

    3. EXCHANGE AND MOBILITY PROGRAMS: This entails enrolling in recognized or authorized exchange/mobility/partnership programs resulting from European programs (such as Erasmus Plus) or national initiatives, as well as collaborations between academic, scientific, and educational institutions, within the framework of agreements, conventions, and implementing protocols with foreign universities.

    4. POST-GRADUATE STUDY: Enrolling in post-university courses (masters, PhDs, specializations, further training, etc.) at Italian public or private universities authorized to issue legally recognized degrees.

    5. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: Providing documentation of enrollment in a professional training course, specifying its duration, program, and certification. These courses must be organized by training institutions accredited to manage professional training courses (as per Article 142, paragraph 1, letter d, Legislative Decree 112/1998; Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Labor no. 166 of 25/05/2001). The course cannot exceed 24 months in duration and must lead to the recognition of a qualification or certification of acquired skills.

    6. INTERNSHIPS: Providing documentation related to internships. Internships are carried out based on a specific agreement between the promoting entity and the hosting employer.

  • For university enrollment, you need to show your high school diploma. In some cases, you might need to supplement your high school studies, especially if your country has a shorter school year. Additionally, in certain countries, you may have to pass an Italian language test or a general test before enrolling in university.

    Your high school diploma, translated and legalized, will be required to obtain the Declaration of Value from the Italian Embassy, which is necessary for pre-enrollment.

    Please note: Due to specific local agreements approved by the European Commission, the required documents may be different from those listed. For further information, please contact the relevant Italian Embassy or Consulate.

    The entry visa allows non-EU citizens to enter the country regularly and apply for the corresponding Residence Permit.

    It’s important to remember that for stays shorter than 90 days, you don’t need to apply for a Residence Permit.

    Students who meet the requirements of Article 29 of Legislative Decree no. 286/98 can apply for a visa for family reunification (joining family members from abroad) and come to Italy with their family.

Duration of validity of permits

If you are taking entrance exams at a university or another educational institution, a study permit is issued for a duration of three months. However, if you are enrolled in a study program, a residence permit for the duration of the program is issued (maximum 1 year).

National legal framework

Decree by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on May 5, 2017

The decree updates the contribution amounts for residence permits. New fees are established for stays up to one year, up to two years, and for long-term permits. The fees are: Euro 40.00 for permits lasting over three months and up to one year, Euro 50.00 for permits lasting over one year and up to two years, Euro 100.00 for the issuance of EU residence permits for long-term residents, executives, and skilled workers.

Judgment No. 04487 dated October 26, 2016 by the Council of State confirming the judgment No. 6095 by the TAR Lazio and de facto abrogating the Decree by the Minister of the Interior on October 12, 2005

The Council of State upheld the judgment previously issued by the TAR Lazio, referring to a European Court of Justice ruling that deemed the fees for staying in Italy “unreasonable and discriminatory.” It suggested that a reasonable fee should not exceed the 30 euros paid by Italian citizens for similar services. Therefore, the costs for obtaining or renewing permits will be: Euro 30.46 as a fixed contribution, Euro 16.00 for stamp duty, and Euro 30.00 for processing by the competent Police Headquarters.

Law dated May 4, 2016, No.77

This law ratifies and enacts agreements between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Cyprus concerning cultural, scientific, technological collaboration, and mutual recognition of academic qualifications issued in Italy and Cyprus.

Circular by the Ministry of the Interior No.2792 dated May 7, 2015

Operational instructions for foreign medical professionals applying for admission to specialized medical schools for the academic year 2014/2015.

Ministry of Education, University, and Research Circular dated April 10, 2014, No. 36

Instructions for activating Provincial Centers for Adult Education (CPIA) and determining staff allocations for adult education programs at various levels.

Ministry of Education, University, and Research Circular dated February 19, 2014, No. 4233

Guidelines for the integration of foreign students aimed at facilitating their educational success considering the complexity of migrant communities.

Ministry of Education, University, and Research Circular dated March 6, 2013, No. 8

Ministerial Directive dated December 27, 2012, regarding interventions for students with special educational needs and territorial organization for educational inclusion.

Interministerial Decree dated May 11, 2011, No. 850

Defines visa types, requirements for obtaining them, and evaluation procedures for diplomatic missions in deciding whether to accept or reject visa requests.

Ministry of the Interior Circular No. 1280 dated March 11, 2009

Concerns the conversion of study permits into work permits for foreign nationals who have obtained degrees in Italy.

Law dated May 28, 2007, No. 68

Regulates short-term stays of foreigners for visits, business, tourism, and study, abolishing the need for a residence permit for stays not exceeding three months.

Directive by the Ministry of the Interior dated August 5, 2006, No. 42

Guidelines for entry, residence, and employment in Italy for citizens of countries outside the EU, implementing Directive 2003/109/EC on the status of long-term residents.

Law dated June 28, 2006, No. 189

Provides for the conversion into law, with amendments, of Decree-Law No. 286 dated October 25, 2005, concerning the consolidated provisions on immigration and rules governing the status of non-EU citizens.

Law dated July 30, 2002, No. 189

Legislation concerning the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data, particularly in the immigration sector.

Law dated July 15, 2002, No. 189

Establishes penalties for crimes related to immigration and provides for the regularization of non-EU immigrant workers.

Law dated February 4, 1992, No. 39

Provisions for the recognition and granting of political asylum in Italy, in accordance with the Constitution and international conventions.

International legal framework

Directive 2003/109/EC

Concerns the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents in EU member states, establishing common standards for granting and withdrawing long-term resident status.

Directive 2016/801/EU

Regulates the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects, and au pairing.

These legislative and regulatory frameworks establish the legal basis for immigration, residence, and education matters in Italy, providing guidelines for both national authorities and foreign nationals seeking to reside or study in the country.