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:
Both of them serve the purpose of different lengths of stay.
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:
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:
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.
The requirements for the Type C student visa are straightforward:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can expect the following application process:
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.
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.
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:
Application procedure
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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