Students who are citizens of a country of an European Union (EU) member state, as well as citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Andorra, the Principality of Monaco, Republic of San Marino and the Vatican City, can freely travel and stay in Italy for up to a maximum of three months.

Source: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it//obblighimotivisoggiorno/en/C/17_0_C

Citizens from the following  Non-EU countries can enter Italy for a duration of 90 days without an entry visa:

• USA
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong
• Ukraine

UK Students do not require a visa to enter Italy for less than 90 days to complete the following activities:

• Tourism
• Visiting family or friends
• Attending business meetings
• Cultural or sports events
• Short-term studying or training

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements

Depending on your length of stay and nationality, students from Non-EU countries will be required to apply for a Schengen Visa.

For a duration of less than 90 days, students from non-EU will need to apply for a Short Stay Schengen Visa for Italy (Visa type C).

You can use the eligibility tool to find out.

Gather Your Documents

•  Entry visa application form ( View )
•  Recent passport-size photograph 
•  Valid travel document whose expiry date is three months longer than that of the visa requested 
•  Health insurance, if the foreign national is not entitled to health care in Italy by virtue of agreements or conventions in force with their country 
•  Enrolment in an approved or authorised programme of Exchange/partnership/mobility resulting from national or European programmes (including Erasmus Plus), and collaborations between academic, scientific and educational establishments, and within the framework of agreements, conventions and implementing protocols with foreign universities 

How to Apply

Students are encouraged to contact the Italian Consulate to check if they need a visa for less than 90 days. For short stay visas up to 90 days please download and fill in Schengen Visa application form [click here].

Upon Arrival

Within eight (8) days from the date of entry into Italy, you must comply with the obligations arising from the rules on the residence in the territory of the Member State, by applying for a residence permit or by declaring their presence according to their type of visa. If you are entering from a Schengen Area country (e.g. France) you are required to declare your presence to the local immigration authority (questura) within 8 days of arriving (‘dichiarazione di presenza’). The questura will provide a form to complete. This requirement is not applicable if you are staying in a hotel or a B&B property.

Source: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it//obblighimotivisoggiorno/en/C/17_0_C

EU Students enrolling in degree programmes who will be staying in Italy for more than 3 months on a non-temporary basis must register with the Registry office (Anagrafe) in the city they live and study in Italy.

From <https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/enrolment-transfer-and-final-examination/visa-and-rules-for-residence-in-italy/visa-and-rules-for-residence-in-italy 

Non-EU/UK Students studying for a duration over 90 days are required to apply for a type D Visa for "Study – Exchange and Mobility programme".

Upon arrival

Students will need to apply for an Italian Residence Permit which is mandatory to stay longer than 90 days in Italy.

Gather Your Documents

For long stay visas beyond 90 days please download and fill up Long term application form [click here]

• Valid passport or travel document (original plus photocopy), valid at least 3 months and with at least with two blank pages for National/Long term visa. The passport will be kept and returned with the visa, if approved
• Valid UK Residence Permit (original plus photocopy) for National/Long term visa
• Passport-style photo, full front and white background and not older than 6 months
• Cover letter
• Original recent letter (not older than 1 month) of acceptance from University in Italy, specifying the type of course, number of weekly hours and dates*

* some host universities have asked prospective students to contact them directly to request their letter of invitation once they have completed the pre-enrolment and once they

have the exact date of the appointment at the Consulate. This will ensure the letter is issued within 1 month and the student can attend their appointment within the validity of the Letter of Invitation.

• Original recent letter (not older than 1 month) from University in UK confirming enrolment and applicant’s mobility program
• One way travel tickets reservation for long-term National visa longer than 90 days.
• Proof of accommodation: hotel reservation that covers the entire period of staying for study trips shorter than 90 days; rental agreement or at least 15/30 days of hotel reservation for study programs longer than 90 days. In case the applicant is staying with friends/family, a letter of invitation is required [for a template click here] along with the host's ID (valid permit of stay for non-European Union citizens) where the signature of the holder appears;
• Travel insurance, which must be issued in UK or in one of the Schengen countries, including every Schengen country covering the entire period of staying in Italy for trips shorter than 90 days or at least the first 2 weeks of period of staying in Italy for trips longer than 90 days.
• Proof of financial means of support in Italy as per Ministry of Interior Directive 1.3.2000. The availability can be proven through: personal last 3 months’ UK bank  statements OR parents last 3 months’ bank statement alongside with original and 1 copy of birth certificate

* Please be aware there the Italian Embassy in London are increasingly rejecting common forms of proof of funds eg Erasmus/Turing, parents bank account statement with a letter of support, and combination of financial sourcing. Currently the only form of proof of funds are statements from student Bank Accounts showing a minimum of 8,000 euros for the full academic year. This may be subject to change but since the University is aware, please can students double check which documents are accepted by the Italian embassy for “Proof of Funds” prior to attending their Visa Appointments.

A full list of documentation can be found here.

How to Apply

All applications should be submitted in person. All documents must be printed out and presented in original plus a photocopy where required. Students should book an appointment through the Italian consulates in London or Edinburgh.

Source: https://conslondra.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/study/

Upon Arrival

Students who enter Italy via the National Visa (a long-term visa for over 90 days) awaiting a residency permit in Italy, are allowed to move freely within any other Schengen Country for up to a maximum of 90 days within 6 months from the initial date of validity of the visa.

If you have been granted an Italian National Visa must report to the Questura (Central Police Station) within 8 working days from the date of entry to apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit). Please note that failing to report to the Questura, might compromise your ability to legally reside in Italy.

Source : https://conslondra.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/study/

UK Students and Students from non-waiver countries can complete some work-related duties without needing a visa or work permit. 

In order to enter Italy, non-EU citizens wanting to do an internship must apply for a study/internship visa (Visa D) at the Italian representation in their country of residence. Once entering Italy with the entry visa, the students have 8 days to apply for a study/internship residence permit by going personally to the Immigration Office (Questura) in your locality.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-italy-for-work

The internship must be of at least 3 months and cannot last more than 12 months. The internship must start within 15 days from the Residence Application. Your employer will need to start the application process.

Process

1. Your employer applies for your work permit at the Italian immigration office.
2. You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate.
3. You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code. If applying for a year or more you also need to sign an integration agreement.
4. You apply for a residence permit at the local post office in Italy.
5. You visit the local police station to provide your fingerprints.
6. You collect your residence permit from the local police station once issued.
7. You register your address at the local town hall.

Gather Your Documents

To apply for a Work Permit Italian Authorities you will need to gather the following documents:

• Completed visa application form
• Passport valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
  • Proof of accommodation, owned or rented, with a signed contract
  • Degree or qualification certificate
  • Signed assignment agreement with your UK employer
  • Copy of passport for the Italian company’s legal representative
  • Copy of passport for the UK employer’s legal representative
  • official document showing the relationship between your UK employer and the Italian company, such as an annual report
  • recent annual tax return for the Italian company
  • proof that the Italian company has paid social security (DM10 and F24 forms)
  • Chamber of Commerce certificate for the Italian company
  • proof of the Italian company’s registration with the Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) and the Italian social security authority (INPS)
  • annual financial statement for the UK company
  • social security cover certificate or confirmation that the Italian company will comply with Italian social security regulations

Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).

All documents must be in Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.

EU/EEA Students can work in Italy without any restrictions or the need to obtain further immigration documents such as a Visa/Permit.

UK/Non-EU/EEA Students who wish to work for over a duration of 90 days will need an Italy work visa, called a Nulla Osta.

In Italy, a work visa falls under the category of a Long-Stay visa, which may also be referred to as a National or D-Visa. It’s important to note that the Italian work visa simply allows employees to enter the country. To stay in Italy, they’ll need to obtain a residence permit upon arrival.

Before students can apply for a Work Visa – their Italian employer will need to apply for a work permit on the students behalf.

For further information regarding working in Italy please click here.

Dual Nationality

If you are a dual UK Italian national you must register your residency as an Italian national. You cannot apply for the carta di soggiorno elettronica, but you still have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you are a dual national of the UK and another EU country (but not Italy), you can choose which nationality to register under.

To find out if you need a visa to stay in Italy – please click here.

Gather Your Documents

Students who need to obtain a Long Stay Visa (D) for the purposes of employment need to gather the following documents:

• A copy of a signed employment contract
• The original Nulla Osta and an additional copy
• A passport with a minimum of two blank pages that’s valid for at least three months after the visa’s duration
• Passport pictures
• A completed Italian Long-Stay Visa Application form
• Proof of sufficient financial means, accommodation in Italy, and paid visa fee
• Diplomas and other qualifying certificates

How to Apply

• Once students receive their work permit they can download and complete the Italian Visa Application Form.
• All necessary documents along with the visa application form can be submitted in person at the Italian embassy or consulate.

 

EU/EEA Language Assistants can enter Italy using their valid national ID card or passport. You do not need a visa to enter Italy. If you are unsure of whether you need a visa/permit please use the visa checker here.

Language Assistants going to Italy who do not have an EU passport apply for a Long Stay ‘Study Mobility and Exchange programs’visa (Type D). This applies to all potential applicants, including non-students. The process of obtaining your visa can continue until just before your arrival in Italy in October. 

Applications for the visa are made through the Consulate General of Italy in London.  You should not apply until you have been instructed to do so by the British Council Team.

Please note as part of Visa application students will need to show proof of funds to support themselves during their stay in their Host destination. For Italy, students need to show bank statements showing the amount of up to £8,000 in their bank account.

Source: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en

Source: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/gbr/en/ita