Guide to Student Visas for Masters in Italy

If you are an international student and want to study a Masters in Italy, you probably need a visa! Whether you need a student visa or not depends on your country of origin. This page gives you all the information you need to apply for a student visa for your Masters course in Italy.

If you are from the European Union, you do not need a visa to stay and study in Italy. You only need a valid identity document and a passport. However, once you begin your course and have an address in Italy, you need to register your residency with your local police station and town hall.

If you do not belong to the EU, you will need a student visa to enter and study in Italy. You will have to apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Visas can take a minimum of three months to be issued so it is advisable to apply for one as soon as you have confirmation of admission into an Italian university. Italian student visas carry an administrative charge of €50.

You will need the following documents to complete your visa application:

• Visa application form
• Recent passport size photograph
• Admission letter from a university
• Proof of financial support (this is usually a total of €6,079.45 per year)
• Health insurance
• Proof of accommodation

International students must also register with local authorities (at a police station or town hall) within eight days of arrival and obtain a permit of stay for study (permesso di soggiorno). You will be required to complete another application form and pay a fee of €30. You will also need to submit the following documents again:

• A copy of your admission letter
• A copy of your student visa
• Proof of financial support (This is usually a total of €6,079.45 per year)
• An Italian stamp worth €16 (marca da bollo)
• A receipt of payment for the Electronic Permit of Stay, which costs €30.46

Once this is done, you are ready to start your course and enjoy everything outside of the classroom that Italy has to offer. Take a look at our living in Italy guide to get a better idea of what life as a Masters student in Italy could look like.