How to apply for a Student Visa to attend university courses in the 2026/2027 academic year

Students from non-European Union countries who reside abroad and wish to enroll in a university program in Italy for the 2026/2027 academic year must follow a specific procedure to obtain a student visa. This process involves several steps and requires compliance with precise administrative deadlines.

Submitting the application through universitaly

The visa application process must begin through Universitaly, the official portal dedicated to international students interested in pursuing academic studies in Italy. After creating a personal account, applicants can complete and submit the application required to start the procedure.

The university to which the student has been admitted will confirm the application to the competent Italian diplomatic authorities only after verifying that the applicant has successfully passed any required admission tests and is fully eligible for enrollment in the chosen program.

Deadlines to be respected

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the visa application should be entered into the Universitaly system as early as possible. In any case, the online procedure must be completed by August 31, 2026.

Meeting this deadline is essential to allow both the university and the consular offices to carry out all necessary checks before the start of academic activities.

Required documentation

In order for the application to be validated, students must upload the required educational documentation through the university’s online services.

The documents generally required include:

• A secondary school diploma, if already obtained, or a certificate confirming enrollment in the final year of study;

• School transcripts or certificates showing academic results for the last three years;

• Official translations of the documents, where necessary, if they are not written in Italian, English, French, or Spanish;

• Documentation duly authenticated with the stamp and signature of the competent authority.

The documents must be submitted within the same deadlines established for admission test registration or university enrollment.

Verification of language proficiency

Final confirmation of the visa application is also subject to verification of the language requirements established by the chosen degree program. The university offices responsible for admissions will review the relevant language certificates or other assessment methods specified in the admission regulations.

Only after this verification has been completed can the application be validated.

Attendance of classes

For the 2026/2027 academic year, teaching activities will be conducted in person. International students must therefore arrange their relocation to Italy in sufficient time to attend classes and all other required academic activities regularly.

Final deadline for formal visa application

According to ministerial provisions applicable to all Italian universities, students must formally submit their visa application to the competent Italian diplomatic mission or consular office by November 30, 2026.

If the visa is not granted, or if it is not issued by the established deadline, it will not be possible to continue with the planned university program for that academic year.

An important point to remember

Pre-enrollment or admission to a university program does not automatically guarantee the issuance of a student visa. Likewise, acceptance by a university does not ensure the availability of an appointment at an Italian embassy or consulate.

The final decision regarding visa issuance rests exclusively with the competent diplomatic and consular authorities, which evaluate each application in accordance with current regulations.

Support provided by Uni-Italia

Students intending to pursue university studies in Italy may benefit from the assistance provided by Uni-Italia, an association established to promote the internationalization of the Italian higher education system and to encourage the international mobility of students and researchers.

The organization operates offices in several countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Morocco, and Vietnam, and also provides support services in many other regions. Students submitting a visa application in one of these countries may contact the local Uni-Italia center for information and guidance throughout the various stages of the procedure.

Conclusion

Applying for a student visa requires attention, careful planning, and compliance with established deadlines. Preparing the necessary documentation in advance, completing the Universitaly application within the required timeframe, and ensuring compliance with the relevant language requirements are essential steps for successfully beginning a university program in Italy during the 2026/2027 academic year.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law, and Paolo Grassi, Trainee of LCA Studio Legale.