Studying in Italy

Studying in Italy is one of the most important decisions an Arab student can make if he wants to finish his higher education abroad and benefit from a high-quality education that guarantees him a globally recognized certificate that qualifies him to enter the labor market of his choice.

In this article, we will discuss everything related to studying in Italy, where we will introduce you, dear reader, to the study visa, how to obtain it, how to apply for admission to the university, the documents required for this, and much more.

Many Arab students begin thinking about studying abroad as soon as they obtain a bachelor’s degree, or as it is known in some countries, a high school diploma. Perhaps one of the most often asked inquiries from our readers is about studying in Italy. As the post will be in question/answer format, we will provide the most essential queries we receive from students and provide their replies.

What is a study visa in Italy?

A study visa in Italy is a visa that allows foreigners to enter Italy for the purpose of attending university courses, study courses, or professional training at accredited institutions. This visa is also issued to foreigners who are invited to participate in cultural, scientific, or research activities. If the student desires to study in Italy, he or she must apply for a study visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in his or her home country. The visa is approved within three months, and the length of stay is equal to the period of study in Italy. In any event, the length of residence cannot exceed one year, which is renewable for those with multi-year programmes.

How can I obtain a visa to study in Italy?

In order for you, dear reader, to obtain a study visa in Italy, you will need to meet certain necessary and important requirements, namely:

The applicant must be at least 14 years old (for those under 14, they can only obtain a study visa for a period not exceeding 45 days to attend short language and cultural courses, organized by associations or institutes recognized in Italy);
Academic acceptance or documented guarantees related to the study program, professional training, or course financed by the Italian government to be followed or the research or scientific activity to be undertaken;

To obtain a study visa in Italy, you must meet certain necessary and important standards, which are as follows:

The applicant must be at least 14 years old (those under 14 can only receive a study visa for a period of up to 45 days to attend short language and cultural courses provided by approved Italian groups or institutes).

Academic approval or written guarantees connected to the study program, professional training, or course to be pursued, or the research or scientific activity to be conducted;
A valid health insurance card valid for the duration of the required stay;
Financial documentation indicating that the student can live on at least half of the yearly social stipend, which is estimated to be roughly 5,889 euros in Italy;
Provide material proof that the student has the funds to return to his or her home country after completing his or her academic career.
As proof of a place to stay, book a hotel or provide a letter of receipt from an Italian citizen or foreigner resident in Italy.

How do I apply to Italian universities?

There are two ways to apply for admission to Italian institutions; the processes change based on the applicant’s nationality.

Submit the application via the university’s website:

Some nations have no agreement with Italy regarding university study in Italy. As a result, a student who intends to finish his or her studies in Italy must explore the websites of Italian universities and wait for the registration procedure to begin before submitting his or her application electronically or by normal mail. The student must first contact the institution to become acquainted with the paperwork and procedures that must be followed in order to register and submit the application.

If he/she meets all of the requirements, the university will issue him/her a letter of acceptance, which he/she must include with his/her visa application.

Submit the application through the Italian Embassy or Consulate:

This approach is more common in several Arab and North African countries (for example, Morocco), where the application to enroll in the desired course is made through the Italian consulate or embassy. Enrollment in universities, on the other hand, is for a certain period of time determined by a ministerial decree issued each year. What you should do, dear student, is call the Italian Embassy in your country on a regular basis to find out when applications for university enrolment are received.

When the deadline for applications to Italian universities is set, you will be notified (after contacting them by phone). They will inform you of the procedures and paperwork that you must submit with your application.

They will give you an application form to fill out carefully at the consulate, and you will have to choose three universities to study at. Following that, the consulate will submit your application to these institutions, and if you are accepted, you will receive notification by e-mail, and you will select the university that best suits you.

What documents are necessary for university applications in Italy?

When you contact the Italian embassy in your country, they will inform you of the paperwork you will need to bring to the consulate in order to apply. However, the following documents are generally required:

A bachelor’s degree (high school diploma) or the equivalent of 12 years of education, plus a certificate translated by a sworn and licensed translator;
2 photos that have been certified;
Certificate of Italian language proficiency, such as CILS or PLIDA;
Any further documentation is required for the program of study chosen.

How do I prove the availability of means of support and the amount of the round trip?

The student can demonstrate the availability of financial resources by doing the following:

Credit cards, traveler’s checks, and bank statements are all acceptable.
Submit a letter of credit from a foreign bank guaranteeing that the funds will be received in Italy.
Submit a certificate demonstrating that you have a bank account in Italy for the required amount.
Documents proving that you have received scholarships, honorary loans, or housing services from government agencies…
When it comes to the money required to return to the country, it is sufficient to demonstrate the return ticket, particularly for those who would profit from a short-term study program.

What about the guarantee?

Most students are known to lack the required quantity as proof of financial resources. As a result, a family member such as a parent, mother, brother or sister can assure the student. The guarantee consists of depositing a sum of money in a bank, ranging from 6000 to 7000 euros, which will be available to the student during his stay in Italy. That’s the end of it.

What is a residence permit to study in Italy?

Consider the case of a student who obtained a study visa in Italy and traveled to Italy. The first step he or she must take after arriving in Italy is to apply for a study permit. He/she must apply for this permit at the Questura of his/her place of residence within 8 working days of entering Italy.

In addition to the tax stamp and payment certificate, the following papers must be submitted with the application for the issuing of the electronic declaration:

Passport-size pictures;
A copy of your passport and visa (with the original);
A copy of the course registration certificate (with a photocopy of the original);
Certificate of health coverage or National Health Service registration;
Proof of residency, such as a lease agreement or declaration of hospitality, must be supported by copies of the lease agreement or deed of purchase, as well as a copy of the landlord’s identity document.
Documents demonstrating availability to live.

How long can I stay in Italy to study?

The residence visa permits the holder to reside in Italy for the duration of the study program. The residence permit is valid for one year and is extendable for individuals who plan to study in Italy for several years, whether for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. University students’ residency permits can be renewed for a maximum of three years.

Can a student work in Italy?

Yes, the student may work in Italy for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

It is also feasible to work 52 weeks every year, but not more than 1040 hours.

Is it possible to convert a study permit into a work permit?

Before the designated period of study in Italy expires, the student might convert his or her study residence permit into a work residence permit. However, under the annual quotas set in the Flousi decree’s flow decree, which is issued every year, If the student gets a job, he or she must apply for a transfer, but only if the study permit is still active.

This is required in order to receive authorization of the Italian immigration office. This approach also applies to individuals who have entered Italy to attend training courses or provide training courses. In this instance, the transfer will be feasible only after the completion of the training course or training for which they came to Italy.

Students who have completed their higher education, whether a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, can transform their study residence into a work residence without being subject to the annual flow decree’s quotas. Alternatively, while waiting for work, individuals might register in an employment center and get a residency permit.

So, this is the most significant information about studying in Italy, and we hope that everyone has taken use of it. If you have any questions on this issue, please leave them in the comments section and we will attempt to answer them as quickly as possible.