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You have been thinking about Italy for further education. Great culture, diverse community, endless attractions, etc. It will be several birds, one stone. But, what about the visa? Will you need a residence permit?

This article will explain who needs an Italy student visa, who does not, requirements, the application process, validity, interview question, FAQs, and many more.

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Italy student visa

Video description 

Find the links and extra information explained in the video here:

Italy long stay application form 

Visa library article on visa-free countries

Visa-free countries

A few countries and states do not need an Italy short-stay visa. It means they can visit the country for up to 90 days. The US, Canada, Brazil, Israel, and Australia are some of them. When you are a national of these countries, and your course takes up to 90 days, you do not need an Italy student visa. When the course takes longer than 90 days, you must apply for an Italy study visa.

Non-free countries

Many countries need an Italy short-stay visa. These countries’ nationals have to apply for an Italy visa, no matter the length of stay. They have to apply for an Italy student visa. The length of the study course does not matter.

Italy study visa is the entrance permission to the country. When you get there, you have to apply for an Italy residence permit too.

The EU citizens

The EU and EEA citizens do not need to apply for an Italy student visa. It is true if the duration of their course is longer than 90 days (three months). However, they have to register with a police station and inform the authorities of their presence.

Types of Italy student visa

By the given explanation above, there are two types of Italy student visa:

  • Italy short-stay student visa
  • Italy long-short-stay student visa

If you need a visa, apply the type that is appropriate for the duration of your stay.

What are the Requirements for Italy Student Visa?

The required supporting documents for Italy student visa is as follows:

Application form

You can receive the application form from the Italian embassy’s website.

Photo

Provide two photos of yourself. They must comply with the Italian visa rules:

  • Passport size
  • Clear white background
  • Your face must cover most of the photo.
  • Nothing should block your face:
    • Moustache
    • Beard
    • Glasses
    • Hat or any accessory

Passport

Your passport must be valid for three months over the date of your visa expiry. Holding two blank pages is mandatory. Also, provide a copy of the previous visas (if any).

Civil status proof

They include but are not limited to:

  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificates.

Acceptance letter

A letter that states an Italian university or education center has accepted you. You must also pay part of all of your tuition.

Proof of clean record

It is a certificate from the Police in your home country stating you have not done any criminal activity.

Enough money

Applicants of Italy student visa need to have enough money to cover their expenses. You should prove it through formal financial certificates.

Health insurance

You need medical insurance that covers all your expenses in Italy and the whole Schengen Area.

Educational certificates

Provide all the educational diplomas, certificates, or training courses you have passed.

Accommodation Proof

State where will you live while staying in Italy:

  • Dormitory
  • Residence hall
  • Invitation letter (if staying with a friend/relative)
  • Rental agreement
  • Proof ownership

Fee payment

Keep the receipt that you have paid the fee for visa processing.

Minor student

Permission leave from both parents

Note: The provided list of Italy student visa requirements is not the ultimate-definite one. The Italian embassy might ask for additional documents. They have every right to do so, and you must obey them.

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How to Apply for an Italy Student Visa?

The application process for Italy student visa is as follows:

See if you need a visa

The first thing to do is not doing anything. Ask yourself a question: Do I need an Italy student visa? As explained earlier, not every nationality needs an Italy student visa. A few are exempt from it. You can see the section above to know about it.

Determine the type of visa you need

You need a visa? But what type of Italy student visa? As mentioned earlier, there are two types for the Italy study visa:

  • Short stays, up to 90 days.
  • Long-stays, longer than 90 days

See the duration of your study course and choose the visa that gives you enough time.

Acceptance letter

The first requirement for an Italy student visa is an acceptance letter. It states that you will be studying in an Italian university or educational center. You have to provide the letter along all of the requirements to the Italian embassy.

Application form

Complete the application form for Italy student visa. You could get it from the Italian embassy’s website. Remember that there are two types of forms:

  • Short-stay
  • Long-stay

You should pick the form that is according to the length of your stay. Be careful of that.

Requirements

There are a few supporting documents apart from the application form. Provide them to prove you are honest with the provided information in the application form. They will also prove you are eligible for a student visa. Remember that preparing the requirements might take some time. So start it a bit sooner; Just to be on the safe side. You might face a hectic schedule days before the visa appointment.

Visa appointment

You should find out where to apply for an Italy student visa. The place depends on the country you live in:

  • Italian embassy or consulate in the country you reside in.
  • The embassy of another country verified by the Italian government
  • A certified visa center in your country
  • Italian embassy or consulate in a neighboring country

Find the nearest option and get an appointment date with them. Try to schedule a date that provides you enough time. Remember, you have to gather all the requirements. If the embassy or center is busy, you have to schedule a date in advance. Also, the time of the meeting is important. You must fix the exact timing. Bear in mind that being late would be bad for you. In some cases, you could miss your appointment.

Interview

Before the date for the appointment, do your homework:

  • Prepare all the requirements
  • Have the documents translated
  • Research and gather information about Italy, particularly the city you will be moving to
  • Learn some Italian; even your course is not in Italian.
  • Prepare an answer for the visa interview

The meeting with the embassy is essential. It will determine whether you get a student visa or not.

Get to the embassy on time and carry all the requirements. Submit everything to the officials. Also, pay the fee for visa processing. Then there is the interview. A visa officer will ask you questions about the purpose of your visit. You must give true and correct answers. You should convince the officials that you will leave Italy when your visa expires. The impression you make at the interview decides the destiny of your visa.

Processing

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Now is the time to wait until the officials issue your visa. The required processing time for an Italy student visa depends on various elements. When the embassy issue the visa, they will contact you to get it. They might post it to you. It is up to the embassy you apply to

Apply for Italy Residence Permit

When you arrive in Italy under a student visa, you have to apply for a Residence permit. Bear in mind that you must do it within the first week of your arrival. The process is as follows:

  1. Find a post office. Get there to receive the forms for the Italy residence permit.
  2. Complete the forms. Then get to the post office again and submit everything.
  3. The Post Office gives you a date with the Police Headquarter.
  4. When you want to go to the Police Headquarter, bring the following requirements:
    • Passport
    • Italy student visa
    • Health insurance
    • A letter from the Italian university or education center that proves you have registered with them.

Providing that you are an EU citizen, you have 20 days to apply for Italy Residence Permit.

Extending Italy Residence Permit

Many students worry about the expiration of their student visa. The good news is that there is nothing to worry about. Although Italy student visa is only valid for one year, you can extend it. You have permission to extend it until completing your course. If your hard work goes out of the door, extending the visa may go with it. You must show progress in your studies to extend your visa.

Do you need a Residence Permit for Italy student visa?

The answer depends on the lengths of your stay. You have to apply for the Italy Residence Permit when you need to stay longer than three months. Although a few countries might be visa-free for 90 days, buy anyone who wants to stay longer than 90 days has to apply for a residence permit.

Can I Work under Italy Student Visa?

Yes. The Italian government has granted work authorization for foreign students. However, you may not get a full-time job. You have permission only for a part-time job. Also, the work hours of the job must not exceed 20 hours per week. The job you have could not interfere with your studies. You must show progress in the lessons.

Remember that your Italian employer must get a work permit for you. You and the employer must reach an agreement and sign a work contract. It is mandatory to provide a work contract for the work permit.

How Long is the Italy Student Visa Valid for?

You want to know how long you can stay in Italy? The answer is with yourself. Look at the duration of your course. The Italian officials will grant a visa valid to finish your course. If not, you have the authorization to extend your visa. This is a point not to worry about.

Can you stay in Italy after graduation?

The answer depends on your situation. You have to leave when the Italy student visa expires. You can only stay to finish your course. However, some students want to stay, work, and receive some experience. It is only possible to get a job offer. If you have a job offer from an Italian employer, you can apply for an Italy work visa and stay. Remember that the job offer must lead to a work contract. The contract is mandatory for your application. Also, the job must meet the payment standards according to Italian law.

Do you need a language proficiency certificate for Italy student visa?

No. There are no language requirements for Italy student visa. The requirement is with the Italian university. Find out what language you need for the university you will be attending. Improve your skills and provide a certificate if required.

However, we recommend knowing a few Italian. It has a good impression of your interview. The visa officer at the embassy will get impressed if you know some basics of Italian.

What is the Italy Student visa Rejection Rate?

The answer depends on different elements. If your visa gets rejected, you made a mistake. It could be in different parts. Yet, you can be prepared to lower the Italy Student visa Rejection Rate.

Requirements

Lack of requirements could be one reason for visa rejection. Remember, you have to provide enough documents to prove your eligibility. You might gather all the listed requirements, yet get rejected. Being fussy will help with the requirements. Pay attention to small details. Even unimportant-irrelevant things matter.

Leave

You must convince the authorities that you will leave Italy when you complete your studies. Family ties, work contracts, or anything that proves your intention to leave is good. Provide them to the officials.

Application

Making mistakes by applicants in the application process is common. They do not focus on details. For example, being late to the visa appointment could lead to canceling it. You could not be able to get another one or get one late. Being late in getting the visa might lead to losing the course in Italy. See, it’s like a chain.

Interview

Work on the answers for your interview. You should have prepared answers. Work on a true and appropriate answer. It must be wise and clever at the same time. Remember that the future of the Italy student visa rides on the interview.

Italy student visa interview question

The interview for an Italy study visa is a part you should be ready for. Remember, you must provide true and honest information. If the officials suspect you will not leave Italy or work illegally, they will deny your visa. The provided questions are only a sample. The officials might ask different or additional questions. However, it would be better to get familiar with the most common ones.

The questions about the university or education center

  • Your Academic background
  • Why did you choose Italy to continue your education?
  • The name of the education center or university you will attend
  • What was your reason for choosing this university?
  • Have you applied to universities in other countries?
  • Could you name some of the universities you have applied to?
  • Names of the universities you accepted and refused.
  • The university you completed your studies.
  • Do you have contact with any Italian professor/instructor, particularly at the university you have applied to?
  • By your estimates, how long will you be staying in Italy?
  • How did you find out about the Italian X university? Why didn’t you apply to Y university?
  • Will you continue your education to higher levels if you get accepted?
  • Does the university require a language proficiency certificate? Have you received one?

 Questions related to expenses

  • How do you pay for your tuition and living expenses?
  • Do you have anyone paying for your expenses?
  • How is your family’s income?
  • What is your parents’ job?
  • How much will you need for one year in Italy?
  • University’s tuition.
  • Current bank statements
  • Providing that you stay longer than one year, how will you pay for your expenses?

Questions about family

  • Where do you live?
  • Your parents’ job
  • Do you have any brothers or sisters?
  • Does anyone of your relatives live in the EU or Italy?
  • Can your family or siblings support you financially if you need it?
  • Your marital status and are in a relationship?

Questions about job status

  • Do you have a job?
  • What is the thing you do in your current job?
  • How much do you get?
  • Why do you wish to leave your current job and study in Italy?
  • Provide your resume/CV to prove your job experience.
  • When you complete your studies, do you seek to stay in Italy?
  • Do you want to work while studying in Italy?

Let’s sum up…

This article introduced all you should know about Italy’s student visa. It covered whether you need a visa, different types, requirements, the application process, validity, FAQ, and many more aspects.

Do you need to know more about other Italy visas? Go through the left sidebar. You can find everything about Italy visas.

Providing that you should know about other countries’ visas, visit the homepage of the Visa Library.

Share your experience or knowledge on visas in the comment section below. They are a huge help for visa applicants

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