First, you need to get an Acceptance letter from an Italian University.
You can check if you’re eligible and apply for free from the link below:
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Depending on the duration of your course and what you will study, you are required to apply for one of the below visa types:
- Short-stay visa (type C) – if you apply for a course that is less than 90 days
- Long-stay visa (type D) – if you apply for any degree course with at least 20 hours of classes per week and more than 90 days
Citizens of the following countries can enter Italy without a visa for stays of up to 90 days:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brune
- Burkina Faso
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong SAR
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
If you need a student visa, book a visa interview from the Italian embassy in your home country. You should schedule your interview around 4 to 6 weeks before your departure date.
It’s better to start preparing your documents While waiting for your Acceptance letter.
- Recent Passport
- The completed visa application form (https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Italy-Schengen-Visa-Application-Form.pdf)
- Two passport-sized photos
- Your acceptance letter from the Italian university
- Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements, scholarship documents) (at least 900 EUR/month)
- Proof of accommodation in Italy (e.g., a hostel reservation, a housing contract)
- Travel Insurance
- Health insurance payment receipt of 150 EUR for the first year of studies. Discover more about international student insurance for students insurances in Italy
- Copy of the diploma and transcripts of a previous education
- Attend your visa interview. Be prepared to speak about your prior academies, the reasons you aim to study in Italy, and your plans for after graduation.
- Pay the visa fee. The visa fee is typically around €60.
- Receive your visa. You will receive your visa within a few weeks if your application is approved.
Here are some additional tips for obtaining an Italian student visa:
- Start the application process early. The visa processing time can vary, so starting the process as early as possible is best.
- Make sure you have all of the required documents. Missing documents can delay your application process.
- Be ready to talk about your academic background and your plans. The visa officer will want to ensure you are a serious student committed to completing your studies in Italy.
- Be polite and cooperative during your visa interview. This will make a good impression on the visa officer.
Can I get a partner visa for Italy?
Yes, you can get an international student partner visa for Italy. The partner visa, also known as the visa family reunification visa, allows your spouse or unmarried partner to join you in Italy if you are a foreign national with a valid residence permit in Italy.
Eligibility requirements:
- You must be a foreign national with a valid residence permit in Italy. Your residence permit must be for a minimum of one year.
- Your partner must be a non-EU national.
- You must be in an honest and subsisting relationship. This means you are in a civil partnership or a relationship akin to marriage for at least 12 months.
- You must intend to live together permanently in Italy.
- Your partner must not have any criminal convictions.
- Your partner must be able to speak Italian to a basic level.
- You must have a suitable place of residence in Italy for your partner.
- You must support yourself and your partner financially without relying on public funds.
Document requirements:
- Completed visa application form
- Passport or travel documentation
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if relevant)
- Proof of relationship (such as joint bank statements, utility bills, or rental agreements)
- Proof of your residence permit in Italy
- Evidence of your partner’s identity and nationality
- Certificate of non-conviction for your partner
- Proof of your partner’s language proficiency in Italian
- Evidence of your accommodation in Italy
- Proof of your financial resources
Application process:
- Start the online application process on Italy’s Ministero dell’Interno (Ministry of the Interior) website.
- Gather all required documents.
- Calculate and pay the visa application fee.
- Schedule an appointment at the local Ufficio Immigrazione (Immigration Office) to submit your application and biometric data (fingerprints and facial image).
- Attend your appointment at the Ufficio Immigrazione.
- A decision will be made on your application within 90 days.
Cost:
The current visa application fee for a family reunification visa is €116.
Processing time:
The processing time for a family member visa is usually 90 days. However, it can take longer in some cases.
Tips
- Start your application early.
- Make sure you have all the required documents.
- Check the Ministero dell’Interno’s website for the latest information on family reunification visas.