Academic year 2025/2026
The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) issued the procedures and timetables concerning the entry, stay and enrolment of foreign students in higher education courses in Italy for the academic year 2025/2026 (http://www.studiare-in-italia.it/studentistranieri).
Before applying for the Visa, the student is required to pre-enrol through the Universitaly portal (www.universitaly.it).
Pre-enroling through “Universitaly” is mandatory for:
- Bachelor Degree courses,
- Master Degree courses (two-year or single-cycle programs),
- Single Learning activities,
- courses of Institutions of High Artistic, Musical and Choreographic Education (AFAM),
- Courses provided by the Higher Schools of Linguistic Mediation (SSML),
- International mobility programs (such as Erasmus, Erasmus+, Marco Poloand Turandot),
- Courses provided by Advanced Specialization Schools,
- PhD,
- Specialization courses,
- First and second level masters,
- Courses of Italian culture and language at the University “Roma Tre”/University for foreigners of Perugia/University of Siena, University “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria,
- Foundation courses,
- Courses provided by Institutes of Specialization in Psychotherapy.
The pre-enrolment through “Universitaly” is not required for:
- Post-graduate Technical Specialization courses provided by Higher Technical Institutes (ITS),
- Undergraduate or post-graduate courses at Pontifical Universities,
- Private universities or Higher Educational Institutes not accredited by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR),
- Courses organized by the Istituto Universitario Europeo di Firenze, European University Institute, European Public Law Organization
After completing the pre-enrolment application on Universitaly, and collecting the documentation listed below, the student can proceed with the visa application reaching consolato.helsinki(at)esteri.it.
Please, note that only students who are enrolling in the first year of the study course are allowed to apply for a study visa. Students who are about to attend academic years other than the first year must use their residence permit or the receipt of application renewal.
VISA APPLICATION DEADLINE
30th November 2025, for:
- Bachelor Degree courses,
- Master Degree courses (two-year or single-cycle programs),
- Single Learning activities,
- courses of Institutions of High Artistic, Musical and Choreographic Education (AFAM),
- courses provided by the Higher Schools of Linguistic Mediation (SSML),
- international mobility programs (such as Erasmus, Erasmus+, Marco Poloor Turandot)
- courses provided by Institutes of Specialization in Psychotherapy
Any time of the year, in accordance with the start of the course for:
- Postgraduate Master’s programs,
- PhD,
- courses at advanced specialization schools,
- courses of Italian culture and language,
- foundation courses,
- Post-graduate Technical Specialization courses provided by Higher Technical Institutes (ITS) must be submitted in accordance with the start of the courses
How to apply
Once the whole documentation is ready, the student should contact this Embassy via email: consolato.helsinki(at)esteri.it.
Applications must be submitted no less than 15 days before the travel date, with an advance of maximum 6 months.
Processing time of the procedure: up to 90 days. It is advisable to contact the Embassy with adequate advance.
An incomplete application may be rejected or entail longer processing time.
This Embassy will propose an appointment to submit the original documentation: the applicant must appear in person at the appointment, bringing all the required original documentation.
Required documentation
- Valid passport. Note that the passport must be valid for at least three months after the Visa expiration date, and must have at least two blank pages. The passport will be stored at this Embassy and given back together with the visa, if approved;
- Valid Finnish residence permit;
- Duly completed application form;
- Proof of accommodation in Italy: hotel booking, rental contract, letter of accommodation (along with the host’s ID), university accommodation;
- One way travel ticket/reservation to Italy;
- Passport-style photo: white background; not older than 6 months;
- Universitaly pre-enrollment application, duly signed;
- Health insurance policy: please note that 1) the destination must be ITALY, 2) the insurance coverage must be listed in detail;
- Proof of financial means (at least € 534,41/month, for a total of € 6.947,33/year – 13 months), such as:
- Personal last 6 months bank statement;
- Proof of a scholarship;
- Proof of the availability of the amount of money for repatriation;
- In case of sponsorship: copy of a valid ID card of the sponsor, letter of sponsorship with handwritten signature, bank statement of the last 6 months, address of residence of the sponsor, email and phone number. Accepted sponsors: parents living abroad; Italian/foreign citizens living in Italy;
- Return travel ticket or proof of sufficient financial means for repatriation (the proof is considered in addition to the minimum yearly income requirement of 6.947,33);
- Degree/diploma certificate, which enables the access to the Italian course (e.g. high school diploma/BA degree/MA degree/PhD degree, etc.). Note that the original degree/diploma must be delivered at the appointment and will be returned once the decision on the Visa is taken. The degree/diploma will have to anyways be supplemented by an official translation into Italian, duly legalised by the relevant authority.
- Declaration of Value, if stated as mandatory on the Universitaly pre-enrolment form. Alternatively: certificate of comparability and certificate of verification issued by the Academic Equivalence Mobility Information Center (CIMEA). In case the student does not possess the certificate of verification, the degree/diploma will have to be legalised by the relevant authority of the country in which it was issued.
- Language certification: 1) Academic course in Italian: at least B2 certification of knowledge of Italian language; 2) Academic course in foreign language: at least B2 certification of knowledge of the language in which the course is taught;
- Payment receipt of € 50,00 (payment information will be given via email).
The Consular Section has full authority in evaluating the Visa request and could ask for further documentation and/or an in person interview.
Submitting the required documentation does not guarantee the issuance of a Visa.
Please, note the information outlined above may be subject to change without prior notice. No liability will be accepted for the consequences of such changes