European countries are known for their higher education infrastructure. This is because of their uncompromised teaching facilities whilst also offering substantial financial support to international students. And Italy is one of them.
Read on to know more about studying in Italy with a student visa.
One of the main elements that have been alluring people from all over the world into this country is its top-notch quality of education. Some of the earliest universities were established in Italy, which reflects how progressive and welcoming to advancements the country is.
Italy is one of the pioneering countries to sign the Sorbonne Declaration in the year 1998, thereby laying down the foundation of the "Bologna Reform"- an academic revolution that has changed the face of higher education in Europe
Besides the status of studies in Italy, other factors like healthcare facilities, transport services, infrastructure, accommodation, and university campuses are in their best condition here.
The Italian culture is as pure and beautiful as its people. Located in the southwestern part of Europe, Italy is one of the top destinations in every single person's bucket list when it comes to planning a vacation.
Heritage sites like The Historic Centre of Florence, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Villa Romana del Casale, Botanical Garden in Padua, Amalfi Coast, etc. are a few names to list that make Italy the perfect place for spending your holiday.
The first one begins in September and lasts till January or February.
The second semester commences in February and ends in July.
It is the most general pattern of intakes that the educational institutes in Italy generally follow. Some might differ by a few weeks or a month; hence it is better if the students are attentive to the important dates mentioned on the university websites and are up-to-date.
| February 2022 - April 2022 | Research Italian universities, courses, degrees, fees structure, etc. |
| April 2022 - May/June 2022 | Appear for language exams |
| May 2022 - June 2022 | Apply for colleges |
| June 2022 - July 2022 | Confirm the acceptance letters |
| June 2022 - July 2022 | Apply for a student visa |
| August 2022 - September 2022 | Get ready for departure. |
| September 2022 | Semester begins |
Many Italian universities and colleges in Italy, offer courses in the Italian language, which might be incomprehensible for most of the international students, especially those who don't speak Italian at all. Sitting and taking language exams to prove their Italian proficiency (if they are applying for a university that doesn't teach in English) is a must for foreign students.
Although some educational institutes teach in English and many more are yet to adapt to it, for that as well, you will have to appear for an English language exam. And after arriving in Italy, you can seek admission in an Italian language school for learning it.
Italy is an abode to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, making it one of the top choices of international students. Let's have a look at these educational institutions:
Being one of the leading universities when it comes to engineering, architecture and design, Politecnico di Milano is located in the city of Milan, Italy. It was established in the year 1863 and had many pronounced alumni.
Being one of the members of the IDEA League, the university introduces extra-curricular activities for talented aspiring engineers.
Ranked 160 in the QS World University Rankings 2021, it is one of the oldest universities to be established in Europe, in the year 1088. It offers a wide variety of courses, around 200, categorized into 32 departments and five schools. Its splendid graduate employability ranking (#84) reflects the quality of education it offers.
Being one of the earliest universities globally, Sapienza University of Rome is prominent not only in the field of education but also in the history and culture of the country. It has continuously contributed to the societal, economic, political, and cultural changes that have shaped the country what it is today.
Some Other Prestigious Universities are
It is a short-stay visa that lasts for not more than 90 days and can be used for more than one entry.
It is a long-stay visa whose validity exceeds 90 days.
For gaining entry in the borders of Italy, you must have a valid passport and a visa as per your reason of stay and duration. For international students (non-EU/EFTA), there are two types of entry visas available:
To issue either of them, you will be required to have the following documents ready:
You can stay in Italy for as long as your visa doesn't expire. In simpler words, if you are in Italy on a Visa type C, you can stay for not more than 90 days. But if your visa type is D, you can live in the country until the date it will be valid.
Students taking up a bachelor's or a master's degree will have to stay for more than 90 months. Hence, their visa is issued until they complete the entire course.
Non-EU/EFTA students taking up courses in Italy have to apply for a student visa to enter the country legally. They will need a residence permit as well if their stay is to exceed 90 days.
Apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country.
Get the application form and fill it correctly, without any errors. Make sure all the information you fill in is right and not old. Submit the form with all the required documents and make sure you have a couple of copies of all the original documents with you. Please complete the necessary payment for fees and do not forget to print it as well.
Schedule a visa interview around 4 to 6 weeks in advance
The next step is to schedule an appointment for the visa interview. Do not stress over it. The basic questions asked in such interviews are related to your reason for travel, the motivation of learning your course, future goals, etc.
It is also vital that you prepare and take a language test (English or Italian) to prove your proficiency. Without it, you will not be able to apply for a visa.
Apply for a student visa at least 3 months before your arrival in Italy
Once you get approval, collect your visa and get ready for departure.mWithin eight days of your arrival in Italy, remember to apply for the residence permit to legalise your stay. Carry all the required documents for the same with you.
As soon as you receive your offer letter, you must begin the application process for a student visa so that you can arrive in Italy before the semester starts and can take your time to settle and adjust in the new environment. Therefore, make sure you apply for the university as soon as the application opens.
Worried about the student visa application procedure for studying in Italy? Reach out to our visa experts at Kansas Overseas Careers for making the entire process smooth and efficient.
Yes, you can work and study in Italy at the same time. While EU/EFTA students do not need a work permit, the same is mandatory for non-EU/EFTA students studying in Italy as well as working part-time. To do so, first, get a signed contract of employment from your employer. Then, reach the nearest immigration office and present a copy of the same.
It shall take approximately two weeks for your work permit to process. Therefore, it is recommended to find part-time jobs as soon as you arrive in the country. Moreover, you can have an advantage over other international students by studying Italian to adjust to the working environment more easily.
An Italian student visa permits you to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. It means that per day you can toil no longer than 3 hours.
The first step is to decide through which way you want to get a student visa.
If you're facing confusion regarding whether you should visit an embassy or consultant, remember that the latter always has the upper hand in the entire process. It is because they not only make you understand the procedure thoroughly but also prepare you well-enough for language tests and visa interviews.
Italy, compared to the USA, UK and other European countries, is inexpensive in terms of studying as well as the living. To have a rough idea regarding the living expenses in Italy,
please refer to the following table:
| Service or Item | Cost (per month) (in EUR) |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared flat) | 375 |
| Utilities | 52 |
| Internet | 29 |
| Public Transportation | 35 |
| Miscellaneous | 30 - 100 |
Therefore, your living costs per month will range between 500 EUR to 600 EUR, which is exceptionally cheaper when compared to other European countries. If you're not sharing the flat, the budget might increase by 200-350 EUR.
Your entire budget will depend upon the tuition fees for your particular course. On average, it might cost you 700 to 5000 EUR per year if you choose a public university.
In the case of private universities, the cost of studying is expensive, ranging between 3000 to 35000 EUR per academic year.
Both the Italian government as well the universities themselves offer financial grants to international students based on their skills and talent.
Besides these, you can refer to your university's website portal for more information.
The processing time of your application may take between 1–3 weeks and sometimes longer.
Visa Studio is the best Consulting firm for Students and working professionals in Dubai. We offer professional guidance through our highly experience and knowledgeable staff, we have previously delivered many successful applications. Our success rate is 100%.
Client Logins: With our client login you will get to experience our best services, all your process can be easily tracked through our online client portal at your fingertips.
Don’t wait. Begin your visa application today!
It depends on you. Although if you look at it from an educational point of view, it would be better if your foundation begins from there if you wish to settle in Italy later on. Or else, if you want to take up a training programme from a specialised institute in Italy, it is totally up to you.
Yes, you can stay in Italy after graduation as well. All you'll need is to find a suitable job that can support you financially well-enough within six to twelve months of completing your graduation.
The serene and artistic lifestyle in Italy is the show-stopper for most of the international students that come here for only educational purposes. Leaving from such a country that has rich heritage and culture, great art forms and history, unique cuisine, unbelievably incredible architecture and infrastructural facilities, nature and scenic beauty is impossible.
Moreover, Italy is a developed nation with the best healthcare facilities, employment opportunities, and scope for a brighter future.
There are many reasons which might contribute to losing your residence permits like theft, loss or damage. In the first and second cases, it is mandatory to report the incident to the nearest Police Station and get a copy of the report filed.
Then, you can visit the local post office and request a new application. Complete it and attach all the necessary documents with it before submitting it.
