Study in Italy: Student Visas & Permits

Student visas in Italy are issued by Italian Embassies or Consulate-General offices in your country of origin.

Students from European Union (EU) or EFTA countries can enter Italy with a valid passport or EU ID card and can remain in Italy without a visa for the duration of their studies. Upon arrival, however, EU students must register at their local Questura station (police station) if their study program is longer than 3 months, in order to obtain a residence permit.

If you’re a non-EU student, you are required to obtain a student visa prior entering Italy. Use the information below to start the process of obtaining your Italian student visa!

Visas for Non-EU Students

There are two types of student visas in Italy, depending on the duration of the study program:

• Visa type C: Short-stay visa or travel visa valid for one or more entries and for a period not exceeding 90 days
• Visa type D: Long-stay visa valid for more than 90 days

No matter the type of visa you require, start the process well in advance of your intended date of entry to Italy, as the processing time can be lengthy. You should contact your closest Italian embassy or consulate to make a visa appointment as soon as you receive a letter of admission from your Italian institution, as appointments tend to be hard to come by. The procedures for applying for Italian student visas are subject to change, so it’s always worthwhile to contact the Italian Embassy for information to confirm current visa requirements.

If you’re entering Italy through the type D visa, you’ll also have to report your arrival to the Questura station within 8 days of your arrival into Italy. You’ll have a residence permit card sent to you to prove your legal residency status within the country.

Required Documents

Students may need to present any or all the following documents as part of their application for a student visa to study in Italy:

• A valid passport, with at least two blank visa pages and valid for at least three months after the expected end date of your study program;
• A letter of acceptance from your institution in Italy;
• A completed visa application form;
• A copy of your itinerary to and from Italy,
• Proof of no criminal record;
• Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English (depending on the language of your study program);
• Proof of adequate financial means to support yourself (between €450 and €515 monthly);
• Proof of adequate accommodation in Italy;
• Proof of adequate medical insurance; and
• Proof you’ve paid the associated application fee.

Working during your studies

International students who are EU nationals have the right to work in Italy alongside their studies but should not exceed 20 hours a week of work during regular study periods. However, you may take on more hours during vacation periods.

Non-EU students may work during their studies if they obtain a work permit, which requires a job offer from an Italian-based employer – a slightly complicated process! Processing times vary between regions, but average around two months. International students coming from outside the EU shouldn’t rely on getting a job immediately upon arrival to Italy, focus on getting used to your new life in Italia!