Get your study visa for Italy as an international student

Non-EU students need a student visa in Italy. Learn everything about types, requirements, and the application process!

Yordan

5 minute read

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Updated on 17 Apr 2024

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Moving

Spending your studies in Italy is a dream for many people. If you’ve decided to follow the dream and study in Italy, it’s wise to take a look at the student visa options available to you. Let’s get started!

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• Who needs a visa to study in Italy
• The Italian student visa requirements
• Each visa type and its application processes

If you’re a non-EU/EEA/Schengen citizen, the answer is typically yes, with some exceptions.

The Italian government has agreements with a number of countries, allowing their citizens to study in Italy without a visa. To check if your country falls under this agreement, the Italian Foreign Ministry has created a useful form.

EU/EEA/Schengen citizens don’t need a visa to study in Italy. If you’re from the EU and intend to stay longer than 90 days, you must register with the local registry office (iscriversi all’Anagrafe) within 8 days of your arrival. You’ll also need to request your Codice Fiscale, which is your Italian tax identification number.

There’re two types of visas for international students wanting to study in Italy.

• Visa Type C (Schengen) visa for short-term students
• Visa Type D (Long-stay) visa for long-term students

Before we take a closer look at each visa, let’s take a look at the Italian student visa requirements, as the two visas share some requirements.

The requirements of your student visa depend on the visa type, but both visas share the following requirements.

• You must have been offered a place in an Italian university
• Your documents must be officially translated into either Italian or English
• You must have no criminal record
• You must have sufficient financial means to support yourself
• You must have health insurance that covers you during your studies in Italy
• You must have a valid passport or equivalent travel document

Type C visa requirements

For this visa, you’ll have to prove you have a place in an Italian higher education institution for less than 90 days in a 180-day period. You’ll also need to have a return flight booked.

Type D visa requirements

For the long-stay visa, you’ll need to have been offered a place in a long-term course in an Italian higher education institution for longer than 90 days.

Documents required for an Italian student visa

The documents you’ll have to provide as part of the visa application process are almost the same for both visa types:

• 2 x passport photos
• Original and photocopy of your passport or an equivalent travel document
• Acceptance letter issued by your university with an official stamp
• Proof of health insurance by a provider authorised to operate in Italy (minimum coverage of €30,000)
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of registration with UniversItaly
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Proof of no criminal record
• Proof of a return flight (only for Visa Type C)
• Proof of application fee payment
• A completed application form

As you’ll have to provide proof of accommodation, you’ll need to book your housing in advance. Booking with HousingAnywhere allows you to arrange your accommodation securely before you arrive in Italy.

Now that we’ve covered the specific requirements, let’s talk about each visa more in-depth.

Non-EU/EEA/Schengen students must apply for a Type C visa to study in Italy for 90 days or less.

This visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days. With this visa, you can travel between Schengen member states during the validity period.

Application process for the Italian Type C student visa

You can start the visa application process from 3 months to 3 weeks before your intended travel date.

The application process is as follows: 1. Fill out the online visa application form from the website of your local Italian embassy or consulate 2. Print and submit the completed application form at your local Italian embassy or consulate OR submit the application form online if possible 3. Pay the visa application fee 4. Get an interview invitation 5. Attend the interview 6. Wait 2-3 weeks for the application to be processed

Can I work on the Italian Type C student visa?

No, you cannot. As you’ll be in Italy for 90 days or less, you cannot obtain the residence permit required to work in Italy.

How long is the Type C Italian student visa valid for?

The Type C (Schengen) visa is valid for up to 3 months. You can’t extend this visa. Instead, you’d have to apply for a Type D visa from your country of origin.

Non-EU/EEA/Schengen students must apply for a Type D visa to study in Italy for longer than 90 days

The Type D visa requires a residence permit for the period of your stay in Italy; you should apply for your residence permit within 8 days of arriving in Italy.

Type D visa application process

For the Type D visa, you can also start the application process from 3 months to 3 weeks before your intended travel date. It can take some time to process, so give yourself enough time.

The application process for the Type D Italian student visa is as follows: 1. Fill out the online visa application form from the website of your local Italian embassy or consulate 2. Print and submit the completed application form at your local Italian embassy or consulate OR submit the application form online if possible 3. Pay the visa application fee 4. Get an interview invitation 5. Attend the interview 6. Wait 2-3 weeks for the application to be processed

Can I work on the Italian Type D student visa?

As you’ll need to get a residence permit to live in Italy with a Type D student visa, you can work part-time alongside your studies. With a Type D student visa, you can work for up to 20 hours per week (or 1,040 hours per year).

How long is the Type C Italian student visa valid for?

The Type D student visa is valid for up to 1 year. You can renew it for the duration of your studies as long as you’ve passed your yearly exams.

Now that you know which visa is for you and the application process for each visa, it’s time to answer a few common questions people have about the Italian student visa.

The cost of the visa will depend on your nationality. Typically, it costs around €80. You can check the cost of your visa application fee using a service provided by the Italian government.

Your student visa doesn’t have a set language requirement, but your university might. When applying for your university, it’s a good idea to look into their language requirements. Most likely, you’ll study in either English or Italian. While the majority of universities will accept IELTS or TOEFL as proof of language proficiency, it’s best to check directly with your university— they may have their own proficiency exams.

Your Italian student visa will allow you to travel around other Schengen countries during the validity period. This way, you can explore different cultures and make the most of your studies.

If an internship is a part of your formal learning, it’s considered a curricular internship. This type of internship is covered with a Type D student visa. However, if you plan to come to Italy just to pursue an internship, you may require a work visa. The type of internship will determine whether you need this visa, so it’s best to check directly with the internship provider.

Before you begin your visa application process, remember having the latest information is crucial to make the process as smooth as possible. It’s a good idea to check the website of Italy’s foreign ministry when applying for your student visa for up-to-date information.

Now that you’ve got all the intel about applying for the Italian student visa, it’s time to book your Italian student accommodation and plan for your move to Italy!

Want to know more about Studying in Italy? Download the free e-book by filling out the form below.