student visa in italy - Lomelono Travel Solutions

Whether you’re studying a language, taking an intensive course at a university, or attending a program designed for mid-career professionals, your need for a student visa in Italy is the same. Applying for a student visa in Italy can be stressful, and it is important that you have all the information you need before you begin. There are certain documents required, processes involved and fees payable to the Italian government that you need to know about beforehand.

Italy is known for its great food, wine, art and scenic beauty. Recently thousands of people from all over the world have discovered Italy as the best country for studying in Europe. Whether you are looking to learn Italian language or just study in Italy as an exchange student, we will guide you through every step so you can enjoy your study abroad experience!

The Italian Government allows international students to benefit from an automatic stay of up to 6 months with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Within this time period you can verify if Italy is the right place for you to carry out your study programme.

If you’re a student looking to study in Italy, you’ll need a visa.

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it’s also one of the most difficult when it comes to obtaining a student visa. If you’re planning on studying abroad in Italy, make sure that you have everything ready before you apply for your visa. Here’s what you should know about getting a student visa for Italy.

How to Get a Student Visa for Italy

If you’re planning on attending university in Italy, then you’ll need to get a student visa before entering the country. The process can be long and confusing, so it’s important that you have all of your documents ready before applying. And while there are some exceptions to this rule—such as when applying for an internship or exchange program—for most students looking to study abroad in Italy, getting a student visa will not be necessary if they attend an English-speaking school with an established relationship with their home institution.

The first step is completing the application form at the Italian Embassy or Consulate near where you live; this form must include proof of financial support (such as bank statements) and proof that you will return home after completing your studies abroad (such as employment). Once these documents are submitted

If you are a student and want to study in Italy, you will need to get a student visa.

The Italian government has strict rules regarding obtaining a student visa. In order to receive one, you must prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition as well as living expenses while in Italy. You also need to provide proof that you have an acceptance letter from the school or university where you will be studying. It is also important to check with the school or university because they may require other documentation before issuing an acceptance letter.

If you are planning on staying in Italy after graduation, then it is possible that they will accept your application for an employment visa instead of a student visa. However, this is not always true so make sure that you check with them before applying for either one!

Table of Contents

Steps to get a study visa for Italy

Accept an offer from a university: Pay any necessary fees to secure your place at the Italian university you have chosen.
Contact or visit your nearest consulate or embassy: Find out the exact visa process for your home country, including the documents you need to complete, and schedule an interview for your Italian visa application.
Attend a visa interview: Submit the documents asked for and pay the fee for this application.
Wait for the results: You will receive a visa outcome in writing.
Apply for a residence permit: Within eight days of arriving in Italy, you need to apply for your residence permit at your nearest Questura — a type of police station. EU students must also complete this step within 20 days of entering the country.
Receive a permit: Your permit may take a couple of months to be created, so within this time you may be issued with a temporary document.

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.

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.

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.

Conclusion

tudent 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!