🛂 Student visa — Italy
Quick facts
National type D study visa for programmes longer than 90 days.
Most non-EU visa-required students must complete Universitaly pre-enrolment before the visa step.
Apply for the permesso di soggiorno within eight working days after arriving in Italy.
Universities may ask for Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA comparability/verification. The university’s rule matters.
Main documents to prepare
- Admission or pre-admission from an Italian university
- Universitaly pre-enrolment validation
- Passport, type D visa form and photos
- Proof of accommodation, insurance and financial means according to the local checklist
- Academic certificates, transcripts, translation, legalisation/apostille
- DOV or CIMEA if requested by the Italian university
Legalisation and document authentication
For every country, document authentication follows the country where the document was issued, not only where the student currently lives. A student living in Dubai with an Iraqi diploma may still need the Iraqi document route. Start with the university requirement, then confirm the visa checklist.
Country-by-country notes
Student-reported points are practical planning signals. They are not legal rules. Always follow the official checklist of the embassy, consulate, visa centre, UDI, Campus France, Universitaly or university that handles your exact case.
Iraq
Application route: Italian Embassy Baghdad or Consulate in Erbil depending on residence. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Syria
Application route: TLScontact Beirut for visa handling; check Damascus/Beirut instructions for documents. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported extra costs and delays because they had to submit through another country or travel to a regional visa centre.
Jordan
Application route: VFS Global Amman / Italian Embassy Amman. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Palestine
Application route: Italian Consulate General Jerusalem or VFS Ramallah where available. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported extra costs and delays because they had to submit through another country or travel to a regional visa centre.
Lebanon
Application route: TLScontact Beirut / Italian Embassy Beirut. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that DOV/CIMEA, translation and university document checks can take longer than the visa appointment itself.
Egypt
Application route: Italian Embassy Cairo for DOV/legalisation, then VFS for study visa. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that DOV/CIMEA, translation and university document checks can take longer than the visa appointment itself.
Sudan
Application route: Verify the current competent Italian mission before relying on older Khartoum pages. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported extra costs and delays because they had to submit through another country or travel to a regional visa centre.
Morocco
Application route: Italian visa/VFS route under the relevant consular jurisdiction. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Tunisia
Application route: Italian Embassy/TLS route in Tunisia. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that DOV/CIMEA, translation and university document checks can take longer than the visa appointment itself.
Algeria
Application route: VFS Algeria Italy study visa route. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Apostille rules are in transition from 9 July 2026. Verify whether your document must use the old legalisation route or the new apostille route.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Libya
Application route: Italian Embassy Tripoli study/university enrolment route. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that DOV/CIMEA, translation and university document checks can take longer than the visa appointment itself.
Yemen
Application route: Verify the competent Italian mission, often through Riyadh/Jeddah or lawful residence. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported extra costs and delays because they had to submit through another country or travel to a regional visa centre.
Saudi Arabia
Application route: Italian Embassy Riyadh / Consulate General Jeddah and visa centres. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
United Arab Emirates
Application route: Italian Embassy Abu Dhabi or Consulate General Dubai by emirate. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Qatar
Application route: Italian Embassy Doha / VFS where applicable. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Kuwait
Application route: Italian Embassy Kuwait. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Bahrain
Application route: Italian Embassy Manama. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
Oman
Application route: Italian Embassy Muscat. First secure admission or pre-admission, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, then apply for the type D study visa.
Document route: Expect legalisation or apostille, Italian translation, and either Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA if the Italian university requires it.
Common student experience: Students reported that appointment availability can be the biggest bottleneck. Start checking slots before peak summer intake.
FAQ
Does Universitaly approval guarantee the visa?
No. Universitaly validation is necessary for many students, but the embassy or consulate still decides the visa.
Do I need DOV or CIMEA?
It depends on the Italian university. Ask the university early because DOV/CIMEA can affect both enrolment and visa timing.
When do I apply for the residence permit?
Within eight working days after arriving in Italy.
Official sources to verify before applying
Use these official links to check the latest checklist, fees, amounts and appointment rules before submitting.
- First steps in Italy - Universitaly
- useful information for your stay in italy
- Request for a Declaration of Value (Dichirazione di Valore)
- Legalisation of documents
- STUDENT VISA CHECKLIST
- HCCH | Print
- Visas – Ambasciata d'Italia Baghdad
- Universities and Scholarships - Ambasciata d'Italia Baghdad
- Study in Italy
- Visas – Ambasciata d'Italia Beirut
- ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS FOR THE 2025–2026
- Visas
- Visas – Consolato Generale d'Italia Gerusalemme
- Study Visas, Enrollment to the University for the academic
- Study in Italy
- STUDENT VISA CHECKLIST.xlsx
- NEW PROCEDURE FOR STUDY VISA REQUESTS
- Checklist for Study Visa
- Ambasciata d'Italia Khartoum – Sito Ufficiale sito Ambasciata d
- Visa Information
- Déclarations de valeur - Ambasciata d'Italia Tunisi
- LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDIES You
- important notice – long stay student visa for italy
- Algeria accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention
- ENTRY VISA FOR 'STUDY AND ENROLMENT' (V.N.)
- FINAL RANKING OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BY THE
- Declaration of Value for Beneficiaries of International
- Visas – Ambasciata d'Italia Riad
- Study in Italy
- STUDY VISA
- STUDY VISA
- Visas – Ambasciata d'Italia Doha
- DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR STUDY VISA LIST OF
- Visas
- STUDY in ITALY – Ambasciata d'Italia Manama
- Declaration of Value D.O.V. - Ambasciata d'Italia Manama
- Study
- study / university enrollment
- Translation and legalization of documents
This is starter guidance and changes often — always confirm on the official source before applying.
Use the free Scholarship Finder and country comparison, then get a personal plan.