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Student visa (enrollment in universities of Italy under the Laurea and Laurea Magistrale programs, in AFAM and SSML institutions)

INTRODUCTION TO THE APPLICATION FOR A UNIVERSITY STUDY VISA in 2024/25 academic year

Those who wish to enroll in Italian universities, including art, music and choreographic training profile institutions (AFAM) or in higher schools for intercultural communication (SSML), as well as students participating in the international exchange programs “Marco Polo” and “Turandot” in 2024-2025, must apply for admission through the «UNIVERSITALY» portal.

If possible, the application, as well as the submission of documents for a visa, should be done by November 15, since the visa issuance procedure must be completed by November 29, 2024. University entrants and students have to visit the «UNIVERSITALY» portal and fill in the “pre-registration application” form online. After completing the procedure and receiving confirmation, the student should print it out, and then begin the procedure for legalizing and translating documents required by the university.

Thus, the applicant should take the following steps:
1. Make a preliminary online registration on the «UNIVERSITALY» portal;
2. Print out the confirmed application for admission;
3. Apostille a diploma (or other educational document) and translate it in accordance with the requirements of the relevant university (documents originally drawn up in English are not required to be translated);
4. Legalize translations;
5. If required by the results of the online application procedure for admission, request a consular declaration on the level of education received;
6. Prepare the remaining required documents and apply for a student visa through the VMS Visa Application Center.

For further information on higher education in Italy please visit the website of the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research, and, in particular, read the contents of the circular letter on the procedures for entry, stay and enrolment of foreign students in higher education programs in Italy (also available in English).

ATTENTION: For admission to postgraduate technical specialization programs organized by higher technical institutes (ITS), university entrants should contact the educational institution of their choice directly.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA TO STUDY AT ITALIAN UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING ART, MUSIC AND CHOREOGRAPHY TRAINING PROFILE INSTITUTIONS (AFAM) OR HIGHER SCHOOLS OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (SSML), AS WELL AS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS “MARCO POLO” AND “TURANDOT”.

(Since universities may request a different set of documents for admission, please check the full list directly at the relevant educational institution before applying for a visa).

1. Visa application form “D” type;

2. Copy of the pre-enrollment application ‘validated’ by the university, an AFAM or SSML institution, or an organization participating in the “Marco Polo” or “Turandot” international exchange program. The pre-enrollment application can be downloaded from the UNIVERSITALY website;

3. Copy of the school diploma obtained after at least 12 years of school or, additionally, a replacement certificate (e.g. foundation course, academic certificate demonstrating the completion of the first year of university, etc.);

4. Certificate attesting to passing the test to access the University in Russia or in the country of origin (only if provided and requested by the University, AFAM/SSLM institutions or international exchange program “Marco Polo” or “Turandot”);

5. Declaration of Value of the qualification (original + copy) (if requested by the University or AFAM/SSLM institutions or the international exchange program “Marco Polo” or “Turandot”). If declaration of Value is required, it MUST be provided when submitting documents for a visa;

6. Financial guarantees or declaration of assignment of scholarship of equivalent value to the economic resources requested;

a) The financial guarantee of 467.65 euros per month should amount to a total of 6,079.45 euros for one academic year. The availability of these funds (6,079.45 euros) must be confirmed by personal income, parental income or scholarships in Italian Institutions and Organizations, including Universities, local governments, Institutes and foreign Organizations.

Please note that if the student has not concluded a rental agreement for the entire duration of his stay or has not paid for it in full, he must show that he has financial guarantees, which are sufficient to pay for such an agreement, additional to the set amount described above.

b) It is also necessary to show that the amount is sufficient to purchase a return ticket or to present a return ticket.

If a student is granted a scholarship covering all living expenses in Italy, it is necessary to provide personal financial guarantees to cover unforeseen additional expenses.

Any of the following documents is considered to be a sufficient proof of financial resources for the first year of study:

  • Applicant’s original Bank account statement (in any currency). Bank account statement is valid at most for 30 days to the day of the document submission.

  • Copy of Applicant’s credit card and ATM receipt that includes an account balance. ATM receipt is valid at most for 3 days to the day of the document submission.

  • Sponsorship (only by close relatives, such as parents/legal guardians, legal spouses, adult children). The following documents are to be provided for sponsorship:

  1. parent’s financial guarantee;

  2. documents confirming family relationship (birth or marriage certificate – original + copy). In case of changing the surname / s, supporting documents must be also provided (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, name change certificate, etc.);

  3. sponsorship letter preferably in English or Italian;

  4. sponsor’s identity card (copy of the main spread of internal passport).

The following documents are not considered as a financial guarantee: fidejussione bancaria o polizza fideiussoria, certificate of form 2NDFL, certificate of currency exchange, cash or bank account statement without the original stamp and signature;

7. Proof of accommodation

If the enrollment document from the University of Italy does not indicate the residential address, it is necessary to provide confirmation of house availability at least for the first 30 days:

a) Apartment rental agreement with a copy of the owner’s identity document and confirmation of prepayment/rent payment

or

b) Invitation from an Italian citizen or a foreign citizen legally residing in Italy, a copy of the passport (page with personal data and signature page) or a copy of the valid residence permit (“permesso di soggiorno”). The invitation should be as per the prescribed format. 

or

c) Reservation of the hotel that indicates the name, address, telephone number, period of stay, name and surname of the applicant, number and code of reservation.

8. Ticket or ticket reservation

9. Medical insurance for Schengen countries, valid at least for the first 30 days of stay in the Schengen area (for details), as well as a signed commitment to conclude a health insurance agreement (for details)

10. Travel document valid for at least 3 months after the date of the visa expiry, issued not later than 10 years ago (for details)

11. Domestic passport of the Russian Federation (original + copy of page with personal data and page with registration), or, if available, any other national passport (for details)

12. Photo (for details)

13. Consent to the processing of personal data (for details)

Please be advised that VMS service fee is required to be paid after submission of the documents, this amount is not included in the visa fees. For more information please click on the link.

The Consulate General of Italy reserves the right to demand any additional documents.