Study in Italy Process for International Students

Before applying to universities or for your visa, your educational documents must be strictly verified.

• Matric/FSc: Requires Board verification followed by IBCC attestation.
• Bachelor's Degrees: Require HEC attestation.
• The Final Apostille: All documents issued by Pakistani authorities must finally be Apostilled by MOFA.

To secure a visa for English-taught programs, the Embassy strictly requires a valid certificate demonstrating your English skills.

• B2 Level Required: You must provide an internationally recognised certificate certifying B2 proficiency in all four language skills.
• Accepted Tests: IELTS and TOEFL are the gold standards. Aim for an IELTS band of 6.0 or higher.

Create profiles on university application portals (e.g., Apply@Polito, Studenti Online for Bologna). You will need to upload your Europass CV, Passport, Transcripts, Statement of Purpose (SOP), and IELTS.

Many top Italian universities charge a non-refundable application evaluation fee for international students. You can track their exact deadlines and fees on our Universities Tracker .

Once admitted, you must officially accept the offer. Some universities require an Enrollment Fee to secure your seat.

Crucial Step: You must create an account on Universitaly.it and submit a pre-enrollment request. The university will validate it, generating a summary PDF. Without the Universitaly Pre-enrollment Summary, you cannot apply for a visa.

Italian universities and embassies need legal proof that your 16 years of education is valid. You will need one of the following (always check your university's specific requirement):

• DOV (Declaration of Value): Issued by the Italian Embassy in Islamabad/Karachi. Takes 1-3 months.
• CIMEA Statement of Comparability: A digital certificate applied for online. Usually takes 15-30 days but requires payment.

To apply for the regional need-based scholarship, you must prove your family income status.

• NADRA FRC: Must be issued in English, apostilled, and importantly, issued no more than six months before the visa application date.
• Income & Assets: Tax returns/affidavits must be translated into Italian, signed by a notary, and Apostilled by MOFA.

Book your visa appointment via BLS. The Embassy strictly evaluates the socio-economic situation of your sponsor to ensure regular availability of funds.

• Minimum Funds: Subsistence funds held in a bank account in your name must amount to at least €10,179.85 per year.
• No One-Off Deposits: Cash, guarantees from non-family members, or sudden ad-hoc deposits are not acceptable. The bank statement must show 6 months of steady transactions.
• Sponsor Employee Docs: If your sponsor is employed, they must provide 3 years of income tax returns, 6 months of payslips, 6 months of bank statements, and an employment letter.
• Sponsor Business Docs: If self-employed, they must provide the company registration certificate and Chamber of Commerce registration.

Welcome to Italy! Within 8 working days of your arrival, you must apply for your Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno).

Go to the nearest Poste Italiane, ask for a "Kit Giallo" (Yellow Kit), fill it out, and submit it along with your passport copies and university enrollment proof.