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Italy Student Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Applying for an Italy student visa requires international students to meet specific academic, financial, and procedural conditions set by Italian immigration authorities. Non-EU applicants must first secure admission to a recognized Italian institution and complete pre-enrollment through Universitaly before applying for the appropriate student visa, typically a national D visa for courses longer than 90 days. The application process involves submitting passport, visa application form, proof of admission, verified academic documents, proof of sufficient financial means to support living expenses, valid health insurance coverage, and accommodation details through the Italian Embassy in India or an authorized visa center such as VFS Global.

What Documents are Required to Study in Italy?

Indian students applying to study in Italy must submit a complete set of documents to obtain a student visa (Type D or C) and later comply with residence permit requirements. The Italian Embassy in India and VFS Global assess applications primarily on the accuracy, authenticity, and completeness of these documents.

The documents required to study in Italy are mentioned below:

1. Valid Passport

Applicants must hold a passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the full duration of the study program, with a minimum of two blank pages.

2. Photo

For an Italian student visa, you need one or two recent (within 6 months) color photos, 35x45mm (or 30x40mm), with a plain white/light background

3. Visa Application Form

A duly completed and signed visa application form is required. In the case of minor applicants, the form must be signed by both parents.

4. Covering Letter

A one-page covering letter explaining the choice of course and Italian institution, financial support arrangements, scholarship details (if any), and intended accommodation must be submitted.

5. Proof of Admission

Applicants must provide:

  • An official admission letter from the Italian Higher Education Institution

  • Pre-enrolment Summary from the Universitaly portal, if required

  • Receipt of enrolment fee payment, which must be clearly reflected in the submitted bank statements

6. Proof of Previous Education

Academic documentation includes:

  • Attested and apostilled final degree or school certificate

  • Attested and apostilled transcripts or marksheets

  • One academic equivalency document, if required by the institution:

    • Declaration of Value (DOV), or

    • CIMEA Certificate

  • If DOV is not available, proof of simultaneous DOV application

  • Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

7. Proof of Financial Means

Students must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, currently defined as €6,079.45 per year or €506.62 per month for the intended stay. Required documents include:

  • Six months original bank statements of the applicant, stamped and signed by the bank

  • Proof of income such as ITR (last 3 years), employment or business records, DEMAT statements, family income certificate, or education loan documents

If financially sponsored (only parents or legal guardians in India):

  • Sponsor’s six-month original bank statement

  • Sponsor ID proof and sponsorship letter

  • Sponsor’s income documentation

8. Overseas Medical/Travel Insurance

Medical/Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the first six months in Italy, including a repatriation clause, is mandatory. Some noteable travel insurance companies such as Tata AIG, Bajaj General, and ICICI are recommended for this purpose.

9. Air Travel Proof

Applicants must submit either:

  • A roundtrip flight reservation (PNR), or

  • Additional financial proof of €2,000 over and above the minimum required funds.

10. Accommodation Proof

Evidence of confirmed accommodation in Italy for at least the first 30 days must be provided. Students can book a hotel or Airbnb room to show as a proof.

Download Checklist for Italy Student Visa

What Are the Financial Requirements for Italy Student Visa?

To obtain an Italy student visa, applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their living expenses in line with the cost of living in Italy, as required by Italian immigration authorities. As a reference, students are expected to show a minimum of around €460 to €506 per month, calculated to reflect average accommodation, food, transport, and basic expenses during their stay.

The proof of funds must be proven through original bank statements covering the last six months, stamped and signed by the bank, clearly showing stable and legitimate funds. If the student is financially supported, only parents or legal guardians are permitted to act as sponsors, and their bank statements, income proofs, sponsorship letter, and valid ID documents must be submitted alongside the student’s financial records.

What Are the Health Insurance Requirements for Italy Student Visa?

The health insurance policy must be valid for at least the first six months of the student’s stay in Italy. This initial coverage is required until the student becomes eligible to register for the Italian public healthcare system or arranges long-term insurance after arrival.

What is the minimum health insurance coverage required for Italy study visa?

The minimum required coverage is €30,000, and the policy must include:

  • Emergency medical treatment

  • Hospitalization

  • Repatriation of remains or medical evacuation

Is IELTS Required for Italy Student Visa or Studying in Italy?

No, IELTS is not a mandatory requirement for the Italy student visa itself. Italian embassies and visa authorities do not universally require IELTS as part of the visa application. The visa decision is primarily based on admission to a recognized Italian institution, financial proof, and complete documentation rather than a specific English language test score.

IELTS requirements depend on the language of instruction of the course and the policy of the Italian university, not the visa authority. If you are admitted to an English-taught program, the university may ask for proof of English proficiency, which can include IELTS or alternative qualifications. For Italian-taught programs, universities may instead require proof of Italian language proficiency or may conduct their own assessment.

What is the Student Visa Application Process of Italy?

 The step-by-step student visa application process of Italy is discussed below:

  • Step 1: The first steps is to receive an official admission letter from a recognized Italian university or higher education institution. The admission confirms the course type, duration, and language of instruction, all of which determine the visa category (usually a Type D student visa for courses longer than 90 days).
  • Step 2: Non-EU students residing in India must complete the mandatory pre-enrolment process through the Universitaly portal, unless exempted by the institution. This step formally links the student, the university, and the Italian authorities and generates a pre-enrolment summary, which is required during visa submission.
  • Step 3: Gathering mandatory documenets for Italy student visa including passport, visa application form, admission letter, academic documents, proof of funds, health insurance, accommodation and travel proof. Document completeness and consistency directly affect student visa processing time and approval.
  • Step 4: Booking an appointment through VFS Global to file your Italy student visa. In India, Italy student visa applications are submitted through VFS Global, the authorized visa processing partner. Applicants must book an appointment at the VFS center corresponding to their residential jurisdiction (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.). Walk-in submissions are not accepted.
  • Step 5: Attending the visa appointment to provide biometrics and submitting all required documents.

 

What is the Italy student visa processing time from India?

Italy student visa processing from India typically takes 30 to 90 days (up to 12 weeks) for (Type D) student visas. The visa processing time depends upon how many student visa applications an embassy has to process. It is highly advised to file your visa application 3 months prior to commencement of your classes in Italy.

What are mandatory documents to get after arriving in Italy on student visa?

The important documents to get once arriving in Italy on student visa are listed below.

  • Codice Fiscale (Tax Code)
  • Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit)

Do Italy student visa requirements differ by embassy or consulate city in India?

Yes, while the core student visa requirements are standard, specific procedural details, required documents, and even processing emphasis can differ slightly between the Italian Embassy and its consulates (like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) or their outsourced partners (VFS Global) in India, with jurisdiction based on your residence. While fundamental documents (passport, application, photos, funds) are common, specific formats, local attestations, or extra proofs might be requested by different consulates.