ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027
University pre-enrolment procedures are fully digitalised. It is no longer necessary to submit applications in person at an Embassy or Consulate.
Students are required to access the UNIVERSITALY portal and complete the online pre-enrolment application. This procedure applies to the majority of academic institutions, with the exception of some private universities.
The chosen Italian university will validate the pre-enrolment application through the UNIVERSITALY platform. It will indicate whether the authenticity of the submitted documents has been verified, specify which documents have been checked, and confirm whether the student is required to obtain a Declaration of Value for their diploma.
The Declaration of Value may be requested through the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA) at the following website: https://www.cimea.it.
Alternatively, Italian diplomatic-consular missions abroad (Embassies or Consulates) may issue a Declaration of Value locally for educational qualifications or professional credentials obtained within their jurisdiction. For further details, please refer to the dedicated page: Request for a Declaration of Value for Study Purposes.
Once confirmation of pre-enrolment has been received on the UNIVERSITALY portal (following the confirmation email sent from noreply@cineca.it), students may proceed to verify the admission conditions and eligibility requirements for applying for a Schengen study visa.
Only after ensuring that all requirements are fully met may applicants proceed with the visa application.
To apply for a Schengen visa, it is necessary to book an appointment well in advance via the following website: https://prenotami.esteri.it/.
Applicants are strongly advised to avoid using agencies or any form of paid intermediaries, particularly for booking appointments, as this service is free of charge.
With regard to processing times, applications for visas of less than 90 days are normally decided within 15 calendar days from the date the application is deemed admissible. This period may be extended, in exceptional cases, up to a maximum of 45 calendar days for individual applications requiring further assessment.
For national visas, processing times are governed by national legislation, which provides for a standard period of up to 90 days from the date of submission (Article 5, paragraph 8, of Presidential Decree No. 394/1999).
For detailed information on eligibility criteria and visa application procedures, applicants are invited to consult the dedicated page: SCHENGEN STUDY VISA.
PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance by an Italian university does not automatically entitle the student to the issuance of a visa.
Further information on pre-enrolment procedures for Italian universities is available on the official Study in Italy website and on the UNIVERSITALY platform.
Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consult the official websites of the universities of interest, where specific information on degree programmes, entry requirements, and admission procedures is provided.