Study

Information regarding the Study Visa application process

The Embassy of Italy hereby informs that the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research has published the procedures for entry, residency and enrolment of international students and the respective recognition of qualifications for higher education courses in Italy for the academic year 2025-2026 (http://www.studiare-in-italia.it/studentistranieri )

Before applying for a visa, students must pre-enrol via the Universitaly website (www.universitaly.it ). Pre-enrolment is mandatory for Bachelor’s Degree courses, Master’s Degree courses (two-year or single-cycle), courses offered by the Institutions of Higher Artistic, Musical and Choreographic Education (AFAM), courses offered by the Higher Schools of Linguistic Mediation (SSML), international mobility programs (e.g. Erasmus, Marco Polo and Turandot), courses offered by specialization schools, research doctorates, advanced courses, first and second level university master’s degrees, single courses, Italian language and culture courses at the University of Roma Tre, the University for Foreigners of Perugia, Siena, Reggio Calabria “Dante Alighieri”, preparatory courses (Foundation Course), courses offered by the Institutes of Specialization in Psychotherapy.

Pre-enrolment is not required for Post-Diploma Technical Specialization courses organized by Higher Technical Institutes (ITS), university or post-university level courses at Pontifical Universities, private universities or Higher Education Institutes not accredited by the MUR..

During the pre-enrolment phase, the Universitaly website allows you to obtain a temporary fiscal code (Codice Fiscale). Upon arrival in Italy, you will be able to confirm the fiscal code through the Agenzia delle Entrate.

Appointments

An appointment for submitting a visa application should be requested only after successfully completing the pre-enrolment and provided that the applicant possesses all the necessary documents (listed below). Requests for study visa appointments can be sent at nicosia.visa@esteri.it, attaching all the requested documents and bearing the title STUDY VISA in the email’s subject. The request will be evaluated and eventually an appointment will be granted. Please note that the applicant will be notified via email only if the appointment is granted. Furthermore, please have in mind that the submission of the application does not automatically mean the approval of the visa.

Submitting the application

Please be aware that, at the time of your appointment, your application will not be accepted unless submitted with all required documents. Please refrain from presenting your application unless you meet all the requirements listed below.

The information below may be subject to change without prior notice. No liability can be accepted for the consequences of such changes.

This Embassy has full authority to evaluate and request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, in addition to what has already been submitted.

Applicants should always appear in person. All documents must be printed out and presented in original plus a photocopy. Applicants must provide:

1. Duly completed application form;
2. Valid passport or travel document (original plus one photocopy), valid at least 3 months beyond the return date of your trip from Italy and at least with two blank pages. The passport will be kept and returned with the visa, if approved;
3. Valid Cyprus Residence Permit (original plus one photocopy), valid at least 3 months beyond the return date of your trip in Italy; Additionally the applicant should provide any previously obtained residence permits, in order to demonstrate how long he/she has been residing in Cyprus
4. Passport-style photo not older than 6 months;
5. Enrolment/Pre-enrolment: The applicant should provide proof of successful enrolment or pre-enrolment at the course. Where applicable, this should be done through the Universitaly Portal (https://www.universitaly.it/  ).
6. Declaration of value issued by the Italian Consulate/Embassy having jurisdiction over the University/ School that issued the certificate (for titles obtained in Cyprus please refer to https://ambnicosia.esteri.it/en/news/dall_ambasciata/2024/05/dichiarazione-di-valore-nuove-procedure/ ); Alternatively, the applicant can provide the corresponding CIMEA certificates (which may be requested here https://www.cimea.it/ ). The Declaration of Value or the CIMEA certificates should be submitted alongside the relevant academic title (also in original and Apostilled or legalised where applicable, duly translated in Italian by a sworn translator)
7. One way travel tickets reservation. If travelling to Italy via other countries, travel tickets between each country is mandatory.
8. Proof of accommodation: rental agreement, guaranteed university accommodation or at least 60 days of paid hotel reservation. In case the applicant is staying with friends/family, one must submit a letter of invitation, the relevant form duly filled-in and signed (https://ambnicosia.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dichiarazione_ospitalita.pdf ) along with the host’s ID and a valid permit of stay in Italy for non-European Union citizens (the signature of the holder must be visible);
9. Travel insurance, which must be issued in Cyprus.  The insurance certificate must be in original, stamped and duly signed by an officer of the insurance company. The insurance should be valid for the duration of the visa for any medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation (medical repatriation in case of illness and repatriation of mortal remains) for at least 30,000 euros.
10. Proof of financial means of support in Italy of no less than € 534.41/month (this sum is to be considered only for one’s everyday expenses). The availability can be proven through: personal last 3 months’ bank statement OR parents last 3 months’ bank statements alongside original and copy of the applicant’s birth certificate (duly translated in Italian by a sworn translator). Bank statements should include the holder’s regular income.
    Please note that the sum of € 534.41/month is not by itself sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses adequate financial means. An overall evaluation of the financial status will take place, taking into consideration other factors such as the general cost of living in the place of study, tuition fees, rent, repatriation costs etc. The applicant should demonstrate the consistency of the availability of such financial means. The availability of financial means (the applicant’s own or those of the parents) should be demonstrated only through the availability of a bank account based in Cyprus. Proof of financial means in other countries will not be accepted.

Deadlines for submitting a study visa application

1. For Laurea, Laurea Magistrale (Biennale or a Ciclo Unico), AFAM courses (Istituzioni dell’Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica) and SSML courses (Scuole Superiori di Mediazione Linguistica): The deadline for submitting a study visa application is November 30th 2025 (30/11/2025)
2. For Master Courses, Phd Courses, Specialization School Courses, Culture and Language Courses and Foundation Courses: the application must be submitted according to the start date of the course.

Visa type and duration

Students that need to sustain an entrance and/or language exam in order to be admitted to the course are eligible to apply for a short-stay visa. Upon successfully sustaining such exam, they will need a new appointment to apply for a study visa.

Visa revocation

The visa shall be revoked by January 31^st 2026 in case the student does not complete the University registration procedure.