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Student Visa for Italy

International students who are planning to study in Italy and be there for more than 90 days require an Italy Student Visa to enroll on a course. Whether a visa is needed or not rests on a person’s nationality but both visa and Italian residence permit are compulsory. The student visa for Italy falls in the category of a long-stay visa (alternatively called national or D-visa) which is mandatory for those exceeding 90 days of stay. Consequently, a student visa is only a prerequisite for gaining access to Italy. You will be allowed to lawfully remain in Italy for over three months, only if you have a residence permit. Importantly, the documentation in support of the Italian residence permit application can only be processed by the Italian authorities, which confirms the significance of the entrance visa.

There are mainly two types:

Italy Schengen student visa

Lying under the C short-term visa type, it is issued for study courses of not more than 3 months duration.

Italy National student visa

This falls under category D long-term visa type, this permit is valid for 90 days or longer periods depending on the course duration.

Whilst these visas have their differences, they allow you to travel in the Schengen area. In consequence, they are often referred to as Schengen Italy student visas and can be issued as simple permits for single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry.

Eligibility

To qualify for an Italian student visa, you have to abide by the steps,

  1. Physical Presence: If you are applying from India, make sure that you are in the country at that time. Conversely, if you are an Indian resident but located in another country, you may be entitled to apply for a visa in that country.
  2. Valid Passport: You must possess an Indian passport with a validity of at least three months from the date of your visit.
  3. Educational Intent: Your first objective for the visit has to include participation in study-focused activities, including research, internships, or training.
  4. Invitation Letter: You have to obtain an invitation letter from the Italian school that confirms your admission there.
  5. Financial Sufficiency: Make sure that you have sufficient money with you to cater for your daily activities while in Italy.
  6. Sole Study Destination: Only if your placement is in Italy, you will be able to take part in the application process.

Documents Required for a Student Visa for Italy

In order to apply for an Italian student visa, you will mandatorily need these documents listed,

  • Valid Passport

  1. Must be no less than 2 blank pages.
  2. Not more than 10 years.
  3. At least 6 months should be valid after the intended date of travel.
  4. Previous passports need to be attached.
  • Two Passport Size Photographs

  1. 35mm x 45mm
  2. Light, preferably white, background
  3. The face should occupy at least 70% – 80% of the picture.
  4. Neutral facial expression
  • Confirmed Flight Tickets

  1. Roundtrip flight tickets for the Schengen study visa are required for Italy.
  2. One-way ticket for JDC national student sticker.
  • Proof of Accommodation.

  • Travel Medical Insurance (30,000 Euros).

  • Educational Documents Notarized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

  • Financial Documents

  1. Bank Statements
  2. Bank Guarantees
  3. Scholarship Documents
  4. Proof of Financial Capability, if the family is involved.
  • The Letter of Acceptance from the Italian Institute with the duration of the course.

  • Original Admission Letter attached to a passport (national student permit only).

  • Declaration of Original Applicant’s Documents, if required.

These are only the ordinary conditions. The whole process is dependent on your unique situation and may require you to present more papers as deemed necessary. Our study abroad advisors are available to provide additional information in detail, and we would be happy to help you further.

Visa Application Process

The first step for the Italy student visa application from India is to fill out the hardcopy application form. Finally, you must send your application letter to one of the Italian visa application centers (VACs) that have been assigned for this purpose.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

  1. Get the offline Italy student visa application form from the web page of the related VAC.
  2. Depending on the type of visa you want to apply for, either fill in the Schengen application form for the Italian Schengen study visa or the national visa application form for the national Italian study visa.
  3. Make an appointment to submit the application along with biometric data collection at the closest VAC, which will be based on the place you have been living for the past six months. It can be achieved online or by reaching them through phone calls.
  4. Along with all the required documents, the application form and the applicable receipts, go to the relevant VAC to submit your application.

VAC Centers

  1. VACs associated with the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi – cover the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh.
  2. The Consulate General of Italy i.e. VACs in Mumbai – covers services to Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, as well as Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep.
  3. VACs in the Consulate General of Italy, Kolkata – serve the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

If you have given your biometric data in the past five years there is no need to resubmit them.

Make sure the documents provided are genuine and accurate. A failure or provision of any falsification may lead to the denial of a visa.

Applying for a Residence Permit in Italy

Upon arrival in Italy with a student visa, it is vital to start by visiting the nearest post office within 8 days to initiate the process of residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno) application. At the post office, you will be assigned an application kit which has all the important forms you need. Additionally, you must furnish copies of the following documents: passport, visa, health insurance, and the acceptance letter from the university. The nearby post office will provide a receipt confirming the lodging of your residence permit request. Besides that, you have to go to the Italian Questura (the police headquarters) to apply for the residence permit under the “Study – University” category.

You can renew these permits as per their categories,

  • For Italian residence permits up to six months: No less than 30 days before reaching its expiration date.
  • For Italian residence permits valid for one year: At most, 90 days before the expiration date.
  • For Italian residence permits valid for two years: Before it expires, it shall be updated at least 90 days.

The processing duration of a student permit may vary based on factors including the period of stay, validity, multiple entries, embassy workload and the corresponding travel history. In most cases, student permits are processed within two weeks. Disregarding the delays caused by the uncertainty, the best solution is to apply in advance.

Italy Student Visa Fees

The Italian visa cost for short stays, typically covered by the Schengen visa for stays less than 90 days, follows the regular Schengen country fee. These charges vary from about €40 to around €80 depending on whether an applicant is young or old, on his/her nationality, and on the visa category. Unlike the Schengen visa, the costs for a stay longer than 90 days range from €50 to €190 and more depending on the type of visa. You will need to check the exact fee structure from the site of the Italian consulate or embassy where you are planning to put in for your visa. The fees may fluctuate and may differ across individual cases.

Find Your Dream University

If you are contemplating studying abroad and sense that your visa application process might be a bit overwhelming, our efficient advisors at Manya – The Princeton Review are here to help and support you. With access to a list of over 1000 university rankings, application fees, average tuition costs, and living expenses, you will be able to make an educated decision. Manya – the Princeton Review encompasses the whole international student journey with a range of services such as admissions consulting, admission test preparation, English language training, career assessments, and international internship opportunities. Our experts are knowledgeable and ready to make the visa process as simple as possible and see it through to the end for you.

FAQ's

What are the steps to apply for an Italian study visa?

The application process consists of filling out the application forms, providing the requested documentation, and in the end presenting it at the Italian VAC center in the area in which you live.

What are Italian study visa requirements?

The eligibility criteria often incorporate having an acceptance letter from any Italian educational institution, having enough funds to cater for expenses, and meeting health insurance demands, among others.

What is the Italian visa application fee?

For a Schengen country visa, charges vary from about €40 to around €80. Whereas, the costs for a stay longer than 90 days range from €50 to €190 and more depending on the type of visa.

How long does an Italian study visa take to be processed?

It depends on the circumstances but in general, it takes 15 workdays to go through it. However, it is important to apply early to take into consideration possible delays.

Can I work while studying in Italy with a student visa?

Under some circumstances, international students can get a job in Italy with a proper study visa. Although there are limits on the number of hours and the kind of work an underage person is allowed to do.

What if my visa application is rejected?

If your study visa application is refused, there could be the opportunity to appeal the verdict or apply again with more evidence. It is therefore important to go to professionals such as authorities or legal experts in these circumstances.

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