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 2026-2027 (https://www.universitaly.it/studenti-stranieri )
Visa applications must be submitted by the 30th of November 2026. This deadline applies to visa requests for enrolment in degree programs, namely Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, First-Level Academic Diplomas, and Second-Level Academic Diplomas, including single-cycle degree programs.
For all other types of courses (Master’s programs, PhD programs, Erasmus programs, single courses, and foundation courses), there is no specific deadline for submitting a visa application. However, the visa application must not be submitted after the start of the academic activities.
Before applying for a visa, students must pre-enrol via the Universitaly website (www.universitaly.it ).Only applicants whose pre-enrolment applications have been validated by the receiving institution of higher education and for whom any conditions have been waived (subject to the exceptions provided for) may proceed with the visa application.
Pre-registration is mandatory for the following educational paths:
- Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree programs (two-year Master’s or single-cycle programs)
- Programs offered by AFAM institutions (Higher Education in Art, Music, and Dance)
- Programs offered by Higher Schools for Language Mediators (SSML)
- International mobility programs (e.g., Erasmus, Marco Polo, and Turandot)
- Specialization school programs
- PhD (Doctoral) programs
- Advanced training courses
- First-level and second-level university Master’s programs
- Single courses
- Italian language and culture courses offered by the Roma Tre University, the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the University for Foreigners of Siena, and the Dante Alighieri University of Reggio Calabria
- Foundation Courses
- Programs offered by Institutes of Specialization in Psychotherapy
Please also note that during the pre-registration phase, the Universitaly website allows you to obtain a temporary tax ID number. Upon arrival in Italy, EU citizens you will be able to confirm their tax ID number through the Italian Revenue Agency, while non-EU citizens must contact the Questura (local police headquarters).
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 to nicosia.visa@esteri.it, attaching all the requested documents and bearing the title STUDY VISA in the email’s subject. Please note that the applicant will be notified via email only if the appointment is granted. Furthermore, kindly note that the submission of the application does not automatically mean the approval of the visa.
All documents must be printed out and presented in original plus a photocopy where required. Applicants must always appear in person (including minors).
Documents required for Study visa applications
| Long-stay (more than 90 days): National visa form: https://ambnicosia.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Formulario-Visto-Nazionale-ING-ITA.pdf
Short-stay (up to 90 days): Schengen visa e-form: https://e-applicationvisa.esteri.it/?L=en-GB . The form should be completed online, printed and duly signed, please make sure that the bar code is clear and printed in high quality. If the applicant is a minor (under the age of 18) both parents/legal guardian must sign the application form. |
| Passport or travel document (original plus one photocopy):
– valid at least 3 months beyond the return date of your trip to Italy; – with at least two blank pages. The passport will be kept and returned with the visa, if approved. |
| Cyprus Residence Permit (original plus one photocopy):
– valid at least 3 months beyond the return date of your trip to Italy; – additionally, previous Cyprus Residence Permits should be presented. The white receipts from the Migration Department are not accepted as proof of residence. |
| Two passport-style photos, full front and white background and not older than 6 months. |
| Confirmation letter of registration by the University/Higher Education Institution. |
| Letter of Enrolment/ pre-enrolment at the course, issued by the University/Higher Education Institution. Where applicable, this should be done through the Universitaly Portal (https://www.universitaly.it/) |
| Summary of the pre-enrolment application validated by the higher education institution. Exceptions apply in cases where the student does not yet physically possess the relevant local academic credential, or where the international student is required to take an in-person language test or course admission exam. In all other cases, failure by the institution to validate the pre-enrolment application and/or to lift any conditions attached to it will result in the automatic denial of the entry visa. |
| For Bachelor’s degree programs and single-cycle degree programs
– A high school diploma or equivalent, obtained after at least 12 years of schooling, together with one of the following: a) Certificate of comparability and Certificate of authenticity issued by the Italian ENIC-NARIC center (CIMEA); b) Declaration of value of the foreign academic credential, if the CIMEA certificate does not explicitly state that the authenticity of the credential submitted; – Certificate proving successful completion of any academic admission tests or entrance examinations required for university enrolment; – Any additional documentation required to verify the authenticity of the foreign educational qualification. All documents must be provided together with a translation in Italian language by a certified sworn translator. |
| For Master’s degree programs and for second- and third-cycle programs (e.g. PhD)
– Official foreign academic degree together with one of the following: a) Certificate of comparability and Certificate of authenticity issued by the Italian ENIC-NARIC center (CIMEA); b) Declaration of value of the foreign academic credential, if the CIMEA certificate does not explicitly state that the authenticity of the credential submitted; – Academic transcript, as well as, for each subject, the curriculum for the attainment of the aforementioned degrees. The curriculum may be attested by the Diploma Supplement, if adopted; – Any additional documentation required to verify the authenticity of the foreign educational qualification; – In the case of admission to Specialization courses for which a specific professional qualification/license is required, proof that such qualification has been obtained in Italy before the academic activities begin must be provided. All documents must be provided together with a translation in Italian language by a certified sworn translator. |
| Language certificate demonstrating proficiency in the language in which the course will be taught, at a level no lower than B2, with the exception of Foundation Courses, for which the minimum required level is B1 (unless the successful completion of the language exam is mentioned in the pre-enrolment form). |
| For long stay visas, type D:
– one-way airplane travel ticket; – return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of repatriation. For short-stay visas, type C: – both-ways airplane travel ticket. If traveling among multiple Schengen countries, travel tickets are mandatory between every border. |
| Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy, the following options are acceptable:
– duly registered apartment lease; – fully paid hotel reservation for at least 60 days; – housing contract for a university residence – a simple application or eligibility for a spot in a university residence hall does not constitute valid documentation for the purpose of certifying the availability of suitable housing; – original invitation letter from your host in Italy – the relevant form is available on: https://ambnicosia.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Proof-of-sponsorship.pdf It must be dated and duly signed together with a photocopy of the host ID/passport (the signature of the holder must appear). If the host in Italy is a non-EU citizen, host’s Residence Permit in Italy is required (signature of the holder must appear). |
| Insurance policy for medical treatment and hospitalization:
– must be issued by an Italian insurance company (online applications are accepted); – must cover the entire intended period of stay; – must be accompanied by a statement from the insurer specifying that there are no limitations or exceptions to the rates applicable to emergency hospitalization for the entire duration of the stay. A detailed list of the covered benefits must be provided. The insurance must be presented when applying for a residence permit as well. |
| Proof of financial means of support for the first year in Italy of no less than 10.179,85 € per year, which must come from lawful and traceable sources. Cash holdings are not accepted as proof of financial resources. The amount does not include the cost of repatriation nor the university fees.
The funds availability can be proven through: 1) personal bank statement (banks or branches based in Cyprus) of the last three months showing bearer’s name, address and financial history. Fixed-term accounts in the student’s name are also acceptable. 2) scholarships or other guarantees provided by Italian institutions and entities of established credibility, including universities, by local governments, by foreign institutions and entities deemed reliable by the Italian diplomatic mission. Please note that simply applying for or meeting the eligibility requirements for a scholarship, in the absence of explicit confirmation of the scholarship’s award, cannot be considered when calculating means of support. If the scholarship amount is lower than €10,179.85, the student is required to submit documentation proving that they have sufficient financial resources to cover the difference. In case of sponsorship (accepted only among family members up to 4th grade): – sponsorship letter: if the sponsor does not appear in person on the application day, the sponsorship letter must be notarized. If the sponsor does not live in Cyprus, the consent must be apostilled or legalized by the relevant Italian Consulate in the country of residence; – documentation of socio-professional standing according to their professional situation (e.g. employed, self-employed, retired); – copy of the sponsor’s passport or ID; – birth/marriage/civil partnership certificate, please note: a) certificates issued by a foreign authority other than Cyprus, MUST be (1) in original, (2) provided with Apostille or, if issued by countries not members of the Apostille Convention, provided with legalization by the relevant Italian Consulate in the issuing country, and (3) if in a third language translated in English or Italian with a certified translation; b) certificates issued by one of the Schengen countries will be accepted only if multilingual; c) marriage certificates/civil partnership certificates older than 6 months will NOT be accepted. Attention: Please note that the above proof of financial means is not exhaustive; an overall evaluation of applicant’s socioeconomical standing will be evaluated. The applicant should prove financial continuity and stability. |
| In case of minors:
– if one or both parents do not appear in person on the application day, a parental consent notarised by a Cypriot notary is mandatory; – if the parents live abroad, the consent must be declared at the relevant Italian Consulate of their country of residence; – a photocopy of both parents’ passports must be provided. |
| Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine need to provide their birth certificate or consular declaration containing full names of mother and father. |
Please be aware that, at the time of your appointment, your application will not be accepted unless presented with all required documents. Please refrain from presenting your application unless you meet all the requirements.
Applicants are allowed to submit any additional documents that they consider useful to explain/justify the trip.
The visa fee for a Study visa is 50 €, payable in cash only.
The information outlined above may be subject to change without prior notice. No liability can be accepted for the consequences of such changes.
This consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, in addition to what has been submitted. Furthermore, the applicant is hereby informed that submitting all the required documentation does not guarantee the issuance of the visa.
Within 8 working days from entering Italy, National visa-holders need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) from the local Police station (Questura). For further information: https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/10617/