Visa Information - Italy

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WHO NEEDS TO APPLY

Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa to study in Italy. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa to enter Italy, please check here.
Applications for a study visa must be submitted to the Italian Embassy or Consulate of your country. The whole process takes 2 to 4 months.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

You should apply for your student visa as soon as you receive your acceptance package. It can take up to 3 months to obtain your visa depending on the country.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1

Make sure you are accepted by SUMAS and have paid at least 8.000 EUR (all fees except the application fee will be refunded in case of visa refusal).

Once SUMAS verifies that this tuition fee has been paid, it will immediately issue an Acceptance Letter to the student. This letter is required by the Italian Authorities to indicate that the student is serious about his/her intentions to study in Italy.

Step 2

Contact the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate to your home or place of residence to find out what exactly they require for students from your country, and make an appointment with them.

Information about the nearest Embassy or Consulate location can be found by clicking here.

Please contact the SUMAS Admissions Office if you are required to present attestations from the school for any reason.

Step 3

Prepare the following to present as well as any supplementary paperwork that is required by your local Embassy/Consulate:

  • A fully completed and signed application form. Applications, which are not duly completed, dated and signed, will not be accepted.
  • Download student visa application form by clicking here.
  • Recent passport-size photograph.
  • Passport valid for at least three months after visa.
  • A copy of confirmation/registration letter from SUMAS.
  • A copy of confirmation of payment of SUMAS’ tuition fees.
  • Proof that you have an accommodation in Italy.
  • Proof that you have financial support (at least € 448,07 per month for the academic year, a total of € 5824,91 per year).
  • Adequate insurance coverage for medical treatment and hospitalization.
  • Proof of the availability of the financial means needed for repatriation.
  • Proof of adequate knowledge of Italian or English according to the language of the program.

For further information, please consult the Visa portal on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the Study in Italy website or specific websites of Diplomatic/Consular delegations in your country.

Apply for your visa in the format required by your embassy. Be sure that you give all the required paperwork. Visas will be refused if the application is incomplete.

Please note that, if needed, original documents to apply for your visa, can be sent per post and the student has to bear the cost.

Submission of the required documentation does not automatically guarantee visa issuance. Upon entering Italy and the Schengen Area, even if you have a visa, Border Authorities are authorized once again to check the documents required for issuance of the visa.

Step 4

After submission there follows a waiting period of typically 2-4 months before the student will hear back from the Embassy or Consulate.

Once the visa is issued, the student will be contacted and instructed on how to pick up their visa and on the necessary steps for future admission into Italy.

Step 5

As soon as the student receives confirmation and instructions from the Embassy or Consulate, he/she should IMMEDIATELY make their travel arrangements to come to Italy. Please note that the visa has a specific date of entry, which cannot be negotiated.
It is not SUMAS responsibility to assure the receipt of the Student Visa.

VISA RENEWAL

If students have already obtained a visa and require visa renewal to study at SUMAS, students are then required to pay the first installment of the tuition fees. (non-refundable)

Please Note:

+ Do not request or attempt to enter Italy with a tourist visa

+ Do not give original documents to the Embassy/Consulate because you will not get them back. Keep the originals for yourself and only give good/readable photocopies

+ If you require an entry visa for Italy, do not make any travel plans to other countries for the first 3 months after your arrival to Italy and until you receive your residency permit which you will need to gain access back into Italy

+ Please ensure you bring an additional set of copies of all the required document for a visa with you, in order to initiate the residence permit application upon arrival

+ Be advised that applying for a student visa through SUMAS is for studying purposes, NOT FOR visa renewal nor to extend your stay in Italy