You’ve decided to study in Italy and want to know about the student visa options? You’re at the right place! Keep reading to find out about the different options, their requirements and the application process.

For non-EU nationals, the process for your student visa for Italy begins with your admission for educational, research or other academic activities.

There are two different types of student visas that you can apply for:

• Type C (Schengen) Visa
• Type D Visa

Both of them serve the purpose of different lengths of stay.

Do I need a visa to study in Italy?

Generally, a student visa in Italy is a hard requirement if you're a non-EU/EAA/ Schengen native. Yet, the following countries are exempted from this requirement:

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Liechtenstein
• Iceland

What are the types of student visas in Italy?

International students from the EU/EEA/Schengen areas have one distinct advantage: they are exempt from the lengthy visa application process. If you’re part of this group, all you’d need to do is register with the local registry office (iscriversi all’Anagrafe) within 8 days of your arrival and request your tax code (Codice Fiscale).

You only have to do this when the intended stay time is 90+ days.

Non-EU/EEA/Schengen students must fulfil a set of conditions, which vary depending on the type of visa they're seeking.

Nonetheless, the two types of visas share some of the requirements:

• The Visa application fee is € 80
• All documents for the application in a language different from Italian or English must be legally translated

Type C student (Schengen) visa

You must apply for the Type C visa if you're not from the EU/EEA/Schengen and wish to take a course or work on academic research in Italy.

This visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days within 180 days. It also allows you to travel between Schengen member states during the validity period.

Requirements

The requirements for the Type C student visa are straightforward:

• Completed visa application form
• 2 x passport photos
• Original and photocopy of your passport or an equivalent travel document
• Proof of admission from the establishment you’re going to be studying at indicating the start and end dates along with an official stamp or signature
• Proof of health insurance by a provider authorized to operate on the territory of Italy (minimum coverage € 30,000)
• Payment of the visa application fee
• Return ticket
• Proof of place of residence (private accommodation/ hotel)
• Bank statement signifying sufficient financial means
• Documentation showing your socioeconomic status (single/ married/ etc.)

Application process

You can start the application process as early as 3 months or as late as 3 weeks before your intended travel date. As with everything, the sooner you start, the better!

The application process is as follows: 1. Download the visa application form 2. Submit the filled-in visa application form at the local Italian embassy or consulate 3. Pay the € 80 visa application fee 4. Get an interview invitation 5. Attend the interview 6. Wait for the application to be processed within 2-3 weeks

Work prospects

Since you’re not eligible to apply for a residence permit as a Type C visa holder, you can’t legally work in Italy for the period of your stay.

Validity

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

Type D (long-stay) visa

If you’re a non-EU/EEA/Schengen citizen and intend on spending more than 90 days in Italy for education-related purposes, you’d need a Type D visa.

The Type D visa requires you to also apply for a residence permit for the period of your stay in Italy.

Type D visa requirements

• Completed visa application form
• 2 x passport photos
• Original and photocopy of your passport or an equivalent travel document
• Proof of admission from the establishment you’re going to be studying at indicating the start and end dates along with an official stamp or signature
• Proof of health insurance by a provider authorized to operate on the territory of Italy (minimum coverage € 30,000)
• Payment of the visa application fee
• Certificate indicating a clean criminal record
• Proof of language proficiency (English or Italian based on the language of your study programme)
• Return ticket
• Proof of place of residence (private accommodation/ hotel)
• Bank statement signifying sufficient financial means
• Documentation showing your socioeconomic status (single/ married/ etc.)

With all of the above sorted out and the approval of your Type D visa, you’re all set to legally set foot in Italy.

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the hardest part and you only need to handle the local formalities.

Type D visa application process

You can expect the following application process:

1. Download the visa application form
2. Submit the filled-in visa application form at the local Italian embassy or consulate
3. Pay the € 80 visa application fee
4. Get an interview invitation
5. Attend the interview
6. Wait for the application to be processed within 2-3 weeks

Validity

The Type D student visa is valid for up to a year. You can renew it for the duration of your academic activity. Yet, you’d only be permitted to extend it if you have passed all the yearly exams at your institution.

Work prospects

Owning a Type D student visa allows you to work part-time alongside your studies. This means that you can work up to 20 hours per week (1,040 hours per year).

Sounds great, right? Not so fast though! You can only work once you’ve obtained your residence permit. Find out more about it below.

Residence permit

Requirements

You should sort your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) out within 8 days of your arrival. You can be confident in your success if you have all the following required documents:

• A copy of your passport
• A valid Type D Student visa
• Proof of a valid medical insurance
• Proof of enrollment in your education institution
• Proof of payment of the € 76 fee

Application procedure

1. Submit your application (permesso di soggiorno) at the local post office
2. Receive the application kit
3. Pay the Residence permit € 76 application fee
4. Collect application confirmation receipt
5. File confirmation receipt at your local Police Station Questura
6. Wait up to 2 months to receive the response

As with every legal matter, it is best to make sure that you have the latest information on the Italian student visas. We advise you to check the website of Italy’s foreign ministry before kicking off your visa application.

With your student visa and residence permit crossed off of your checklist for relocating to Italy, you’re all set to apply for your Codice Fiscale and settle down in Italy.

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