Visa for Foreign Students in Italy and Study Visa Guaranty for the year 2024

New procedures for foreign students intending to undertake a course of study in Italy Academic year 2024/2025

Also this year, the Circular of the MIUR (Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) precisely explains all the steps that aspiring foreign students must observe to start their course of study in Italy.

As every year, it is important to understand all the rules well, including how a foreign student can demonstrate the means of support in Italy for the entire period of enrollment in the chosen school.

The text of the MIUR Circular, on Page 15, reads:

2. Requirements for obtaining a visa

In order to obtain a visa for STUDY purposes for University Enrollment (type D “national”) and, subsequently, a residence permit, the international student must demonstrate possession of the following requirements: a) Economic means of subsistence for the planned stay. 

These means are quantified at the amount of 467.65 euros per month for each month of the academic year, equal to 6,079.45 euros annually. 

The availability in Italy of such means of support must be proven through personal economic guarantees or guarantees from parents or from Italian or foreign entities or citizens regularly residing in the territory of the State, or provided by Italian institutions and entities of proven credit, including Universities, local Governments, foreign Institutions and Entities considered reliable by the Italian diplomatic representation.

So, also this year there is the possibility to demonstrate these means of subsistence in various ways, surely the first way is to demonstrate it through a personal or parental bank account of the foreign student, but it is also possible to demonstrate it through economic guarantees from an Italian credit institution, also this year we are ready to issue the Bank Guaranty for Study Visa.

Through our company, you can obtain this guarantee quickly by presenting the appropriate documentation.

What type of visa do students need?

Again, the MIUR Circular explains to us which types of visas students need:

Study Visa “D” for Candidates for Higher Education Courses in Italy

If you are a candidate enrolled in higher education courses in Italy and have completed the pre-registration through the UNIVERSITALY portal, you are in the right place. Even if your pre-registration application has been validated with a reservation by the receiving higher education institution because you have not yet obtained the local qualification or are waiting to take the admission or language exam, the diplomatic-consular representations will still issue you a type “D” visa for STUDY “University Enrollment”.

Validity and Benefits of the Visa

This visa has a conventional validity of 100 days, allowing you to:

Participate in admission exams at the University or in AFAM (Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance) courses.

Proceed with enrollment without having to return to your country of origin, in case of passing the selection tests.

Do you need a Bank Guaranty to invite someone to Italy?

Study Visa for Admission to Higher Education Courses in Italy

If admission tests or language exams take place before obtaining the final school diploma or in times that do not allow completing regular pre-registration, students must apply for a short-term entry visa (Uniform Schengen Visa) for stays of less than 90 days. This visa will be of a duration commensurate with the actual needs of the student, ensuring the existence of the conditions and requirements provided for.

National Study Visa for University Enrollment

In case of admission to the chosen course, once back in your country of origin, you can apply for the national entry visa for STUDY “University Enrollment”, which provides for multiple entries and is valid for 365 days.

Conditions for Issuing the Study Visa

The study visa for “University Enrollment” is granted only for enrollment in a course.

Such visa is not issued for students enrolled in academic years subsequent to that of enrollment.

Health Insurance Another Requirement for Obtaining the Study Visa for Italy

An important requirement for obtaining the Study Visa for Italy is to have adequate insurance coverage for medical care and hospitalization.

This coverage is mandatory (art. 39 c.3 T.U. n. 286/1998 and Directive 01.03.2000 of the Ministry of the Interior) and must be demonstrated at the time of the residence permit application.

Accepted Types of Insurance Coverage

Students can choose from the following insurance formulas:

Consular declaration:

A consular document attesting the right to health care resulting from an agreement between Italy and the student’s country of origin.

Foreign insurance policy:

A foreign insurance policy that provides valid forms of assistance in Italy. This policy must not have limitations or exceptions to the rates established for urgent hospitalization for its entire duration.

National insurance policy:

A policy taken out with national insurance entities or companies. It must be accompanied by a declaration from the insurance company specifying the absence of limitations or exceptions to the rates provided for urgent hospitalization for the entire duration of the coverage.

How to Demonstrate Insurance Coverage

At the time of the residence permit application, it is necessary to present:

The consular declaration, if applicable.

The foreign or national insurance policy, along with the declaration attesting to full coverage for urgent hospitalizations.

Benefits of Insurance Coverage

Adequate insurance coverage guarantees you:

• Immediate access to necessary medical care in case of emergency.
• Peace of mind during your stay in Italy, knowing that any health problems will be managed without financial worries.