Italy is a dream destination for many international students. Whether you’re pursuing a university degree, learning the Italian language, or attending a culinary school, you’ll likely need a “Visto per Studio” (Student Visa) if you’re staying over 90 days and you’re from outside the EU.

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of obtaining a student visa for Italy.

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Step 1: Get Accepted into an Approved Program

You must first receive an official letter of acceptance from a recognized Italian institution. This could be:

• A university (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
• An accredited language school
• A vocational or art institute

The school must be registered with the Italian Ministry of Education.

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Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation

You’ll apply for your visa through the Italian Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence. Here’s what you’ll typically need:

• ​​​V​isa application form (fully completed and signed)
• Valid passport (with at least two blank pages and valid for at least 3 months after your program ends)
• ​Passport photos (recent, color, 2×2 inches)
• ​Letter of acceptance from your school
• ​Proof of sufficient financial means (at least €460/month for the duration of your stay)
• ​Proof of accommodation in Italy (rental contract, university housing, or a host invitation)
• ​International health insurance (minimum coverage of €30,000 for emergencies, repatriation)
• ​Flight itinerary (round trip may be required or at least outbound)
• ​Proof of educational background (transcripts, diplomas, etc.)

Tip: Requirements vary by consulate—check the website of your local Italian consulate for the exact list and to book an appointment.

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Step 3: Apply for the Visa

You must apply in person at the Italian consulate that covers your jurisdiction. It’s best to book your appointment 2-3 months before your intended departure, especially before the busy fall semester.

The processing time can take 2–6 weeks, depending on your country and consulate.

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Step 4: Enter Italy and Apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno

Once in Italy, you must apply for your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio) within 8 days of arrival. Here’s how:

• ​Go to a local post office (Poste Italiane) and ask for the Permesso di Soggiorno Kit
• ​Fill out the application, attach the required documents (copies of your visa, passport, acceptance letter, proof of finances and insurance)
• ​Pay the fees (usually around €100–€150)
• ​Submit the kit and attend the fingerprinting appointment at the Questura (immigration office)

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Can You Work on a Student Visa in Italy?

Yes! Student visa holders can work up to 20 hours/week during the semester and full-time during breaks, but only with a contract and proper registration.

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Final Tips

• Start early: Visa appointments and permit processing can take time.
• Be organized: Missing documents = delays.
• Learn some Italian: Even a beginner course will help you feel more at home.

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Need help with your visa process or school selection? Contact us at [email protected] — we assist students worldwide with personalized support and relocation services. We work with Italian language schools that are recognized by Italian institutions.

How to Convert a Study Permit / Waiting for job into a Self-Employed Permit | Italy

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Visas are issued by the Italian Embassy or Consular Sections of a foreign national’s country of residence. Permits to stay are issued in Italy by the Questura (Police Headquarters) having jurisdiction in the province where a foreign national is staying. Foreign nationals are required to apply for residence permits within 8 working days (i.e. excluding Sundays and holidays) of arrival.

Citizens of some foreign countries can visit Italy and stay for 3 months without a VISA. In some cases, citizens can stay for a longer period under a permit of stay or “permesso di soggiorno”. In most cases, foreign citizens must return to their country of origin and request a specific VISA at the corresponding Consulate. Therefore, we recommend to ask for a VISA at the Italian Consulate or Embassy of your country of origin in case you want to stay in Italy for a period longer than 3 months.

The most common types of VISA and Permit to stay are the following:

• VISA/Permit for family reunification: valid for a year from the date of issue; it is issued to the sponsoring migrant’s family members following approval of a reunification application.

• VISA/Permit for employment purposes (indefinite, fixed-time or seasonal contracts): this can only be issued after obtaining work authorization from the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – SUI (Immigration Desk) at the Prefettura (central government’s territorial office). In order to enter into an employment relationship with a non-EU national residing abroad, employers, whether Italians or foreigners legally residing in Italy, are required to apply for permission to hire an individual migrant worker at the Immigration Desk in the province where the job will be carried out.

• VISA/Permit for self-employment purposes: may be applied for to conduct a non-occasional, self-employed work activity in the industrial, professional, handicraft or commercial sectors; to set up a company or partnership; to access corporate managerial positions. In order to obtain such a visa, foreign nationals must fulfil the same professional and moral requirements demanded for Italian citizens by the law with regard to the same type of activity.

• VISA/Permit for highly qualified workers: such is the case of journalists, highly specialized staff who work for a corporation domiciled in Italy, artists, dancers and musicians, etc (art. 27  Decreto Legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286).

• Elective Residency Permit: the Elective Residence Visa/Permit is for those who have chosen Italy as the country of permanent residence and who are able to support themselves autonomously, without having to rely on employment while in Italy, whether as dependent employees, as self-employed employees or employees working remotely online. You cannot finance your residence in Italy through any type of work and to obtain the VISA/permit you must demonstrate that you own a property or that you have signed a lease.