Italy’s student visa: Universitaly, residence permits and working after graduation
Italy approaches student visas in its own way. First you register on the digital platform Universitaly, then you obtain a national visa, and after arrival you arrange a separate residence permit — permesso di soggiorno. For citizens of Kyrgyzstan the procedure is the same as for all non-Europeans. The main upsides: work of up to 20 hours a week during your studies and 12 months to look for work after graduation, with no quotas at all.
Types of visa
If you are going for a programme longer than 90 days (Bachelor’s, Master’s, professional courses), you need a national type D visa. For short courses of up to three months an ordinary type C Schengen visa is enough. The exception is foreigners who have already legally lived in Italy for at least a year: they are exempt from the mandatory prior registration on Universitaly.
The Universitaly portal — where the path begins
This is currently the only way to complete the prior registration for a student visa. Without confirmation on this platform the visa simply will not be granted. The process looks like this. You receive a letter of admission from an Italian university (conditional or unconditional). Then you register on the Universitaly portal, fill in the online application and upload your documents. The university checks your application and must accept it «without reservations» (senza riserve) — only then can you go to the embassy. From the portal page you download the «Riepilogo» summary, and with it you book your appointment.
Timeframes here are critically important, and each university sets its own deadlines. For example, Ca' Foscari University of Venice accepts applications until 30 September 2026, the University of Pavia until 31 August, and the University of Milano-Bicocca until 31 July. Latecomers, alas, are not considered.
Financial requirements: specific figures
Unlike Germany, Italy does not need a blocked account. It is enough to show stable income and a sufficient balance in your account. The minimum sum for the 2026/2027 academic year is officially set and amounts to 10,179.85 euros a year.
You can confirm your finances in several ways. The most reliable is bank statements in your name for the last 6–12 months with the bank’s stamp. It is preferable that the money be held in your own account. Sponsorship from relatives up to the fourth degree of kinship is also permitted — in that case supporting documents will be required. An education loan will also do, if it is reflected in the statements. Real estate and shares are accepted only as additional proof, not as the main one.
An important nuance: a sudden deposit of a large sum on the eve of submission is a red flag. The money should have a clear history of deposits, preferably over 6–12 months. The recommended account balance is significantly above the minimum, so as not to raise questions. In addition, you will need to confirm that you have funds for a return ticket and a housing booking for at least the first two weeks.
Proof of housing and medical insurance
For a type D visa you must show where you will live on arrival. A hotel or dormitory booking for at least two weeks, a rental contract or an invitation from a private individual with a copy of their passport will do. Medical insurance is mandatory: it must cover at least 30,000 euros, include repatriation and be valid for at least the first month (later you will arrange Italian national insurance for the entire period of study).
The submission process for citizens of Kyrgyzstan
The procedure is as follows. First you complete registration on Universitaly, receive confirmation from the university and download the «Riepilogo». Then you book an appointment at the embassy, gather the full package of documents, pay the visa fee and submit the documents in person, going through an interview. Decisions are usually awaited for up to 90 days, so you need to plan your submission at least 3–4 months before the start of your studies.
The document package includes an international passport (issued in the last 10 years, valid for at least three months after the visa expires), an application form for a national type D visa with a photograph, confirmation of registration on Universitaly (Riepilogo), a letter of admission from the university, documents on previous education with a translation into Italian (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese are also acceptable), financial statements for 6–12 months, medical insurance for 30,000 euros, proof of housing for the first two weeks, a return ticket booking or proof of funds for it, and a short motivation letter (a page at most).
Arrival: permesso di soggiorno
After entering on a type D visa you have exactly 8 working days to submit an application for a residence permit — permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio. To do this you need to take a special envelope with forms (kit) from any branch of Poste Italiane, fill it in, pay the fee (about 70–100 euros) and send it by registered mail to the questura — the local police headquarters. After this you will be invited for a photograph and fingerprinting. The residence permit is issued for 12 months and is then renewed annually until the end of your studies. Without a valid permesso di soggiorno you will not be able to work legally, renew your visa or leave Italy for an extended period.
Working during your studies: 20 hours a week
Italy allows international students to work, but with clear limits. During your studies you can work no more than 20 hours a week — this is a hard ceiling that cannot be exceeded even during the holidays. Over a year this comes to no more than 1,040 hours. This limit is the sum of all your jobs combined. And the main condition is that you must already have a valid permesso di soggiorno. Exceeding the hours will almost certainly lead to problems with renewing your residence permit.
After graduation: 12 months to look for work
Italy’s main bonus is the 12-month job-search permit (permesso per attesa occupazione). During this year you can legally live in the country, look for work and accept any offers. The employer does not need to prove that there are no local candidates for your position. And, what is especially valuable, when switching from a student residence permit to a work one, you do not need to wait for the annual quota (decreto flussi) — this is a major simplification. An alternative path is the EU Blue Card with a salary threshold of 28,000 euros a year (data for 2026), which after 12 months allows you to move to other EU countries.
Maintaining your status and restrictions
You must not interrupt your studies without official permission, work more than the permitted hours, or stay in Italy after your residence permit expires without renewing it or changing your status. Violations can cost you not only your current visa, but also future trips.
Pitfalls and realities
First and foremost — the Universitaly deadlines. Each university has its own deadline, and latecomers are not accepted. Carefully check the dates on your university’s website. Second — translations and legalisation. Education documents must be translated into Italian (or one of the permitted languages), and often an apostille must also be added. Third — the financial history. A sudden large transfer to your account before submission looks suspicious. The money should sit for at least 6–12 months and have a clear origin. Fourth — housing. Without a confirmed address in Italy you cannot arrange a permesso di soggiorno. Many students use dormitories or rent a room in advance.
What matters for applicants from Kyrgyzstan
The Italian Embassy in Bishkek is located on Chui Avenue, 194, and works by appointment through the Prenot@mi system. Plan to submit your documents at least 4 months before the start of your studies, because the processing time can reach 90 days. All translated documents are best certified by a notary or at an accredited translation agency.
In conclusion
The Italian student visa is a clear two-stage system: Universitaly, then the type D visa, and after arrival — the permesso di soggiorno. The main requirements are finances from 10,180 euros a year, confirmed by stable bank statements for 6–12 months, the availability of housing and medical insurance. The upsides are work of up to 20 hours a week and a whole year to look for work after graduation, with no quotas. The downsides are the strict Universitaly deadlines and possible difficulties with housing. With sound preparation, it is all manageable.
If you want to get to grips with the nuances of registering on Universitaly, preparing financial documents or choosing an Italian university, get in touch with our specialists. We will help you go through all the stages without unnecessary delays.