Italy's Ministry of University and Research (MUR) has published a two-year official circular coordinating all procedures for international students entering, enrolling, and staying at Italian higher education institutions. Valid for academic years 2026/2027 and 2027/2028, it covers universities, AFAM arts and music academies, and ITS Academy technical institutes.
These procedures are the result of a Working Group convened by MUR together with the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of the Interior.
Pre-enrollment validation does not automatically guarantee a visa. The diplomatic-consular representation makes a fully independent decision.
Who These Procedures Apply To
- Students holding a final or partial foreign qualification who intend to enrol in Italian higher education institutions at any cycle.
- Foreign candidates who need an entry visa to Italy for long-term stays for study.
- Students who need to obtain or renew a residence permit for study.
Who Does NOT Need a Visa or Residence Permit?
- Citizens of EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, San Marino, and the Holy See.
- Foreigners already legally present in Italy under Art. 39(5) of Legislative Decree 286/1998.
- Students already in the Schengen Area on EU scholarship programmes (Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, etc.).
Dual Citizenship Rule
In cases of dual citizenship — one Italian or another EU country — the Italian or EU citizenship prevails for the purposes of this circular (Law 218/1995, Art. 19 para. 2). The EUI in Florence and EPLO/ELGS apply these procedures but candidates apply directly to the consulate — not via UNIVERSITALY.
UNIVERSITALY: Your First Step
For any international student residing abroad who requires a visa, the journey begins with pre-enrollment — a mandatory step completed exclusively at www.universitaly.it. This is free and official. No third-party service is needed.
Pre-enrollment is required for the following programmes:
- Bachelor's degree (Laurea Triennale) and Master's degree (Laurea Magistrale)
- First and second-level AFAM Academic Diplomas
- Specialization diplomas and academic specialization diplomas
- Doctoral research (PhD) programmes
- University master's programmes (first and second level)
- Advanced courses, individual courses, Italian language and culture courses
- Foundation courses and AFAM foundation courses
- Programmes at Schools for Language Mediators (SSML) and other AFAM-authorized bodies
error New Rule from 2026/2027
Universities may validate applications up to the places allocated for foreign students plus 20%. A UNIVERSITALY monitoring alert pauses further validations once this ceiling is reached. If a visa or enrolment is denied, that slot re-opens immediately.
Step-by-Step: What to Do on UNIVERSITALY
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The Three Steps
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- Step 1: Access UNIVERSITALY and complete the pre-enrollment application. Annex 1 qualifications allow only one programme; Annex 2 qualifications allow any course.
- Step 2: Wait for the institution to validate your application. Provisional acceptance is possible while awaiting final exam results.
- Step 3: Only after validation may you apply for a study visa at the Italian diplomatic-consular representation in your country of residence.
Evaluation & Validation: What Acceptance Really Means
Each institution carries out its own preliminary assessment — this is not final admission. Three key facts must be clearly communicated to every applicant:
- Preliminary university acceptance does not guarantee a visa. The diplomatic-consular representation decides independently.
- A study visa does not guarantee enrolment. The institution retains full final authority.
- No rights are conferred by acceptance, even if a visa is issued, scholarships are offered, or conditional admission is granted.
gavel Anti-Fraud Obligations
Per Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)18, institutions must report false, forged, or altered documentation to the authorities, the consulate, and CIMEA (Italian ENIC-NARIC centre). If a student who received a visa does not enrol, the institution must immediately notify the consulate via certified email (PEC).
Required Documents by Study Cycle
Each institution determines its precise requirements. Institutions are specifically asked not to request a Declaration of Value from students who do not require a visa. The ARDI database at ardi.cimea.it supports automatic qualification recognition for Lisbon Convention countries.
First Cycle
Bachelor's / First-Level Diploma
- ›Secondary diploma (12+ years)
- ›CIMEA comparability cert, or Declaration of Value
- ›Aptitude test cert if required
- ›Italian translations if required
Second Cycle
Master's / Second-Level Diploma
- ›Foreign degree at EQF Level 6
- ›CIMEA attestation or Declaration of Value
- ›University transcript with syllabi
- ›Italian translations if required
Third Cycle
PhD / Specialization
- ›Foreign degree at EQF Level 7
- ›CIMEA attestation or Declaration of Value
- ›Transcript with syllabi
- ›Proof of professional qualification if required
warning Degrees Obtained Mainly Through Study in Italy
If a foreign degree was obtained primarily from studies conducted in Italy, partial recognition is subject to Decree 214/2004. Institutions must inform students of this in enrolment documentation.
Programmed Admission Courses
The following programmes require a mandatory entrance examination organised by each individual university, after which a merit ranking with a reserved international student quota is published (Art. 39(5) D.lgs. 286/1998):
- Bachelor's and Master's degrees directly aimed at training an Architect
- Master's Degree in Primary Education Science
Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary — New Framework
For single-cycle Bachelor's in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine, the new reference is Law No. 26 of 14 March 2025. Detailed international student procedures will follow in a subsequent ministerial note.
Italian Language Proficiency Requirements
Each institution verifies language proficiency independently. Tests should be conducted remotely before the visa application and the result uploaded to UNIVERSITALY, exempting the consulate from repeating the check.
Standard Programmes
B2 CEFR
Required for all Bachelor's, Master's, and single-cycle programmes taught in Italian.
Foundation Courses
B1 CEFR
Required minimum for foundation courses in Italian or another language.
Who Is Exempt from the Language Test?
- Holders of Italian language certificates at B2+ from recognised certifying bodies
- Graduates of Italian state schools or equivalent Italian schools abroad (4–5 year programmes)
- Students with titles listed in Annex 2 of the circular
- Holders of supplementary Argentine Middle School certificates attesting 5+ years Italian instruction (Law 210/1999)
- Holders of the Diploma of Italian Language and Culture from Università per Stranieri di Perugia or Siena
- Students with CLIQ-system C1/C2 certifications (Italian Language Certification of Quality)
language Courses in Foreign Languages
Even for programmes taught entirely in a foreign language, appropriate language certification must be included in the pre-enrollment application. Students who have not passed the language test may not proceed to competitive or aptitude tests.
Holders of International Protection
Based on the Lisbon Convention (Law 148/2002) and Art. 26 of Legislative Decree 251/2007, institutions are invited to develop internal procedures to evaluate qualifications of refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection already in Italy — including when documentary evidence is incomplete.
Institutions may rely on:
- Experience and certifications produced by ENIC-NARIC centres
- The European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)
- Internationally established good practices in this area
Enrollment Formalities
Each institution provides precise enrollment procedures on its website. If a student does not yet hold a valid residence permit or does not fully meet all requirements, enrollment proceeds with reservation until June of the following year.
Document authenticity verification methods include: apostilled and legalised documents · direct contact with the foreign institution · online verification tools · CIMEA verification attestations.
calendar_month Critical Deadline: January 31st
From 31 January of the respective academic year, for applicants to Bachelor's, Master's, and academic diploma programmes still not enrolled on UNIVERSITALY, the entry visa will be revoked automatically with simultaneous notification to the competent Questura.
Study Visas: How to Apply
Validated applicants receive a Type D STUDY "University Enrollment" visa — valid for 365 days, multiple entries. In two specific cases a provisional 100-day visa is issued instead:
Diploma Not Yet in Hand
A provisional certificate from the competent foreign authority is required. Self-certifications are not accepted. The full 365-day visa follows enrollment.
In-Person Test Required
The student must sit a language or admission exam at the Italian institution. If passed, enrollment proceeds without returning home.
Key Visa Deadlines
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Deadlines for Standard Degree Programmes
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- Academic Year 2026/2027: 30 November 2026
- Academic Year 2027/2028: 31 October 2027
Financial & Other Visa Requirements
In addition to academic documents, students must demonstrate the following to obtain a visa and for subsequent residence permit renewals:
euro Annual Minimum Financial Resources
Students must demonstrate annual financial resources of at least €10,179.85 per year from legal, traceable sources. Own account or family unit up to the 4th degree. Mere scholarship eligibility without an award letter cannot be counted.
Residence Permits: Applying & Renewing
Managed by the Ministry of the Interior under D.lgs. 286/1998, D.P.R. 394/1999, and Law 68/2007.
What Happens After a Positive Evaluation
If you arrive on a national type D STUDY visa, here are the essential steps for your residence permit:
autorenew Renewal Conditions
Request renewal at least 60 days before expiry. First year: ≥1 progress test. Subsequent years: ≥2 tests. Serious illness or force majeure: 1 test acceptable. Maximum total renewals: 3 years beyond the official course duration. Changing degree programmes — with academic authority approval — also qualifies for renewal.
block Withdrawal from Studies
Formal withdrawal results in loss of the right to remain in Italy. The permit is revoked and the student must leave. The visa and permit issued for the withdrawn enrolment cannot be reused for enrolment elsewhere.
ITS Academy (Higher Technical Institutes)
ITS Academy institutions offer Technical Post-Diploma Specialization courses — Italy's non-university tertiary sector under the Ministry of Education and Merit (not MUR). Apply directly via the ITS Academy System Portal.
info UNIVERSITALY Does NOT Apply to ITS Academy
The national UNIVERSITALY quota mechanism does not apply. Required documents: final secondary certificate (12+ years) · aptitude test cert if required · CIMEA attestation or Declaration of Value at institute's discretion · Italian translations. All visa and residence permit procedures are identical to university enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is UNIVERSITALY and why is it mandatory? expand_more
UNIVERSITALY (www.universitaly.it) is the free, official MUR portal through which all international students who need a visa must submit their pre-enrollment application. It is the exclusive gateway recognised by Italian universities and consulates. No third-party service is needed.
Does pre-enrollment validation guarantee a visa? expand_more
No. Validation is a necessary condition to submit a visa application, not a guarantee. The consulate makes an independent assessment including socio-economic background, quality of prior studies, and the coherence of the chosen academic path.
What are the visa application deadlines? expand_more
For 2026/2027: 30 November 2026 for standard degree programmes. For 2027/2028: 31 October 2027. For PhD, Erasmus, individual and Master courses: no fixed deadline, but the visa must be submitted before teaching begins. Individual universities may set earlier deadlines.
What financial means are required to obtain a student visa? expand_more
A minimum of €10,179.85 per year from legal, traceable sources (own account or family up to the 4th degree). Mere scholarship eligibility without an award letter does not qualify. Italian universities or local governments may also provide guarantees.
How soon after arriving must I apply for a residence permit? expand_more
Within 8 working days of arriving in Italy on a national type D STUDY visa, submit a residence permit for study application to the local Questura through a Post Office.
What Italian language level is required? expand_more
Minimum B2 CEFR for Italian-taught Bachelor's, Master's, and single-cycle programmes. B1 for foundation courses. Exemptions include Italian language certificate holders (B2+), Italian school graduates, CLIQ C1/C2 holders, and others listed in Annex 2 of the circular.
What if my school system has less than 12 years of education? expand_more
You must provide additional documentation: either completion of one year of university studies or a certificate from an Italian foundation programme. Refer to Annex 1 of the circular for country-specific requirements.
Can I apply if my diploma has not been issued yet? expand_more
Yes. Submit a provisional certificate from the competent foreign authority. Self-certifications are not accepted. The final diploma may be requested later during enrollment.
Can I change my study programme after arriving? expand_more
Yes, if you have not formally withdrawn. The residence permit can be renewed for a transfer to a different degree at the same or another institution, subject to academic authority approval. Transfers to private non-university courses do not qualify.
Does UNIVERSITALY apply to ITS Academy? expand_more
No. Apply directly to the ITS Academy via the ITS Academy System Portal of the Ministry of Education and Merit. The national quota mechanism does not apply. Visa and residence permit procedures are identical to university enrolment.
What happens if I withdraw from my studies? expand_more
Formal withdrawal means loss of the right to remain in Italy — the residence permit is revoked and you must leave. The visa and permit issued for the withdrawn enrolment cannot be used for re-enrolment elsewhere.
Ready to Study in Italy?
Start your pre-enrollment exclusively through the official, free MUR portal. All international students requiring a visa must begin here — no third-party services needed. Check the ARDI database first to verify automatic recognition of your qualification.
Key resources: ARDI · CIMEA · Polizia di Stato · Portale Immigrazione