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Foreign nationals who want to study in Italy for a period 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 Italy 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 if you want 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 the entrance visa is necessary.
Who Needs a Visa to Study in Italy?
Almost everyone needs a visa to study in Italy for longer than three months.
Only nationals from the following countries are exempt from holding an Italian Student Visa to enter Italy:
- EU (European Union) countries
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Liechtenstein
- Iceland
Still, even the aforementioned countries are required to obtain an Italy residence permit after three months.
If you are a national from a country who is exempt from the Schengen visa, and the course lasts less than three months, then you do not need an Italy student visa. However, if the course lasts for longer than three months, then you have to apply for an Italian student visa from your home country.
If you are already in Italy with a Schengen visa, you have to leave the country and apply for a long-stay visa in your home country instead.
Non-EU nationals cannot apply for an Italian residence permit without an Italian long-stay visa.
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 that is 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 knowledge of English or Italian.
- Receipt of paid visa fee.
In the event that the student is a minor, he or she must have a signed document consenting to the travel by both parents or legal guardians.
All documents that are not in Italian or English have to be translated by an authorized translator.
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Different countries or Italian embassies may have different requirements, so you have to check in with them before you submit your application. An incomplete submission will be rejected and you have to apply at a later date. This will push back the processing time, which is sometimes quite lengthy as it is.
How Much Bank Balance Do I Need for an Italy 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 to apply for an Italy Student Visa?
You must apply for the 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
If you have all the necessary documents, and the Italian embassy decides you meet the conditions, you will receive your Italian student visa.
Once you do, you may enter Italy where you have to apply for an Italian residence permit.
How Much Does an Italy Student Visa Cost?
The processing fee for an Italy student visa is €50. However, the price may differ depending on your nationality, and this does not include other additional costs or service fees.
See Italy visa fees.
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, specifically the bio-data page and your 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”.
Learn more about Italian residence permits here.
Can you work with an Italy Student Visa?
With a student visa for Italy, you are only allowed to work part time. Meaning, 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.
Learn more about Italian work visas here.
How long is the Italy Student Visa valid?
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 have the 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. To bring them with you, they must apply for an Italy family visa. However, they cannot begin applying for a family visa unless you 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.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introducing the Italy Student Visa
As an expert in immigration and visa requirements, I can provide you with detailed information about the Italy Student Visa. I have extensive knowledge of the topic, including the requirements, application process, and important considerations. Let's dive into the concepts used in this article.
Who Needs a Visa to Study in Italy?
The article states that almost everyone needs a visa to study in Italy for longer than three months. However, nationals from EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland are exempt from holding an Italian Student Visa. It's important to note that even exempt countries need to obtain an Italy residence permit after three months.
Italy Student Visa Requirements
When applying for an Italian student visa, you must fulfill several requirements and provide supporting documents. These requirements include:
- Italy Student Visa Application Form.
- Recent passport-size photographs.
- Valid travel document with at least two blank visa pages.
- Photocopies of previous visas.
- Civil status documents.
- Proof of enrollment or pre-enrollment in an Italian university course.
- Police clearances from your home country.
- Proof of accommodation in Italy.
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- Adequate health insurance for Italy.
- Certificates of prior education.
- Proof of knowledge of English or Italian, depending on the language of the educational program.
- Receipt of paid visa fee.
- Consent document for minors.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and requirements may vary based on your country of origin. It's essential to check with the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country for specific requirements.
Bank Balance Requirement
To obtain an Italy Student Visa, you must demonstrate that you have a minimum of €460.28 per month (as of 2023) during your stay in the country. You can show proof of financial means through bank statements, a sponsor letter, or evidence of third-party financing.
Application Process
To apply for an Italian student visa, you must visit your home country's Italian embassy or consulate. If there is no Italian embassy/consulate in your country, you may have to apply at a Visa Application Center or the embassy/consulate of another Schengen country. It's crucial to contact them in advance to book an appointment.
During the application process, you will need to submit all the required documents in person and attend a visa interview. The processing time for a visa application is typically around three weeks, so it's advisable to apply at least two weeks before your planned trip.
Italy Student Visa Cost
The processing fee for an Italy student visa is €50, but fees may differ based on your nationality. Additional costs and service fees may apply, so it's essential to check the specific fees with the Italian embassy or consulate.
Residence Permit for Italy Student Visa
Within eight days of entering Italy with a student visa, you must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at your local post office. You will need to submit various documents, including a copy of your passport, health insurance, and acceptance letter from your university. You will also need to visit the local Italian Questura (police headquarters) to complete the residence permit request.
Working with an Italy Student Visa
With an Italy student visa, you are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year. After completing your studies, you can apply to convert your residence permit from a student permit to a work permit. However, this can only be done when the Italian immigration system for non-EU foreign workers, known as "decreto flussi," is open.
Validity of Italy Student Visa
The Italian student visa is initially valid for a maximum of one year, with the possibility of renewal for the duration of your courses. To renew your student visa, you must pass all your yearly exams at the university.
Bringing Family Members
Under an Italian visa, you can bring your close family members, such as your spouse or children, with you to Italy. However, they must apply for an Italy family visa, and you need to apply for an authorization known as "Nulla Osta" first. The immigration office in your local area will process your request, and if granted, your family members can begin applying for an Italy family visa.
Remember to consult the official sources, such as the Italian embassy or consulate, for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the Italy Student Visa process.
