National Long-Stay (Type D) — StudyVerified 2026-04-20Italy Study Visa — Long Term (National Visa D)
The Italy Study D Visa is for applicants who wish to study or do research in Italy for a duration of MORE than 90 days. Study visa applications without DoV or CIMEA are not accepted unless explicitly not required by Italian University/Institute. Fee is €50 (reduced from standard €116 D fee).
Heads up — Italy Visa Checklists Vary by Jurisdiction
The info below is per the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi (North Jurisdiction).
Italy splits visa decisions across 4 Indian consulates — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru — each with slightly different document checklists, fees rounding, and processing nuances. The requirements listed on this page match the New Delhi (North) jurisdiction.
New Delhi (North) jurisdiction covers
SureshotVisa helps Indian applicants across all states (and Indian citizens abroad) — not just New Delhi. If you reside in a Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru jurisdiction state (or outside India), reach out and we'll confirm the exact checklist and steps that apply to your consulate.
Processing
90 working days processing
Stay Duration
Long-term — matching academic program duration
Starting Fee
€50
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Italy visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1North jurisdiction — Applications from residents of New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh are decided by the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi. Place of passport issue does NOT determine jurisdiction — residence does. Applications from other jurisdictions go to Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru consulates with slightly different checklists.
- 2Applicant MUST mention their OWN working phone number on the application form and at the counter — not the agent's or representative's number. The Embassy reserves the right to verify, and non-compliant applications may be judged incomplete.
- 3Visa applications must be submitted in the country where the applicant has continuously lived for the last 6 months — proof of residence required. The Embassy cannot process applications from visitors to India (even Indian nationals abroad).
- 4Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages. For Short-term visas, 6 months validity from travel date is required.
- 5Travel medical insurance is mandatory for ALL Schengen visa applicants — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid throughout Schengen territory, covering the entire stay (or repatriation for multi-entry). Only approved Indian Travel Insurance companies are accepted (see VFS Italy site for the current list); alternatively, policies from countries where claims are recoverable in Schengen States.
- 6Polio vaccination certificate required IF applicant is from / stayed >4 weeks in: Afghanistan, Kenya, DRC, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic (vaccination must be 4 weeks to 12 months before travel).
- 7Photo specs: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, light/white background, color, ≤6 months old, 80% face zoom, non-smiling, no sunglasses/hat (unless religious). Stick (don't staple) on the application form.
- 8The Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional documents or a personal interview even if not mentioned on the official checklist.
- 9Visa fee, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused or withdrawn while under processing.
- 10D-Type (Long Term) Visa applications must be submitted by applicants ONLY. Other people accompanying the applicant will NOT be allowed inside the Italy Visa Application centres in New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh.
- 11Clearly write active email address + telephone number on first page of visa application form (field 16).
Who Can Apply
- Indian students enrolled in Italian universities/institutes for Bachelor/Master/PhD (>90 days)
- Long-term professional training, technical courses
- Research (study-linked) for >90 days
Not eligible under this visa:
- Entrance test candidates waiting for final study certificate — apply for Study C first
- Short courses ≤90 days — apply for Study C
- Novitiate / religious training — apply for Study visa D specifically for that
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Study D Visa Fee | €50 |
| VFS service charge | ₹631 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the Embassy of Italy — the INR equivalent shown is approximate and depends on the daily exchange rate. VFS Service Charge is ₹631 per applicant (inclusive of all taxes). Payment accepted via cash at VFS or Demand Draft in favour of 'VFS GLOBAL SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED' (one banking instrument per applicant). Optional services: Courier Facility ₹795, Courier Assurance ₹631, Premium Lounge ₹4,669. Visa fee and service charges are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused by the Embassy of Italy or withdrawn while under processing.
Documents Required
Mandatory Documents (ALL required — points 6, 7, 8 CRITICAL)
- !Application form (D) — duly filled + signed
For minors: both parents sign.
- !One recent passport-size photograph (white bg, not stapled)
- !Valid passport (≤10 years, 3 months beyond visa duration, 2 blank pages)
- !One set photocopy of applicant's passport
- !Personal cover letter
- !Original Study Certificates attested by HRD + duly apostilled by MEA
SDM attestation is NOT accepted. Provisional certificates also accepted with HRD+MEA attestation.
- !ONE of: DoV (already issued) OR CIMEA Certificate
Mandatory unless explicitly waived by Italian University/Institute.
- !Receipt of FULL PAYMENT of enrolment fees
Or adequate proof if portal not yet open.
- !B2-level English certification (IELTS/TOEFL) OR B2-level Italian
Per course language.
- !UNIVERSITALY confirmation receipt of enrolment AND/OR original letter of admission from University/Institute
Financial Documentation
- !Proof of means of support ≥€534.41/month or €6,947.33/year
Income source, sponsorship letter + sponsor's ID + ITR-V (3 years) + bank statements (6 months, stamped by branch manager), educational loan (if deposited and visible), scholarship proof in original.
- !Sponsor must be: applicant's parents (no other family eligible), Italian/foreign nationals legally residing in Italy, Institutions/Italian established authorities (universities/local govt), Foreign authorities recognized by Italian Government
Italian law specifies eligible sponsors.
Boarding & Travel
- !Adequate proof of Boarding and Lodging in Italy for entire intended stay
Hotel booking OR Home Rent agreement OR Accommodation provided by University/Institute.
- !Roundtrip flight ticket / Sufficient funds if return flight beyond pre-booking limits
- !Medical Insurance (€30,000 min) covering entire intended stay, including repatriation clause
Schengen-compliant Travel Medical Insurance or Italian Insurance Company.
For Minors
- ○Birth Certificate — original, attested, apostilled
- ○If one legal guardian: Death certificate / Divorce / Proof of sole custody (apostilled) + 1 copy
- ○If traveling with one parent: original APOSTILLED consent letter from other parent
- ○If minor travels alone: both parents summoned to Embassy to sign consent
- ○Guardianship acceptance letter from Italian guardian + ID copy + 1 copy
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Get admission from Italian University/Institute
UNIVERSITALY confirmation + admission letter.
DoV or CIMEA Certificate
Mandatory unless Italian institute waives.
Apostille Indian study certificates via HRD + MEA
SDM alone not accepted.
Arrange finances (≥€534.41/month), accommodation, insurance
Long-term insurance for full stay.
Submit at VFS + biometrics — applicant ONLY, no companions
€50 fee + ₹631 VFS. Processing 90 working days.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — English
Print back-to-back, fully completed and signed by the applicant. A separate form is required per applicant.
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — Italian
Italian-language version of the same form.
National (D) Visa Application Form
For all long-stay (>90 days) Category D applications.
Declaration on Travel Health Insurance
Mandatory declaration confirming €30,000 minimum coverage from an approved Indian insurer (or approved Schengen alternative).
Processing Time (Waiver) Declaration
Waiver acknowledging standard processing time and the Embassy's right to extend it.
Data Protection Form
Privacy consent for data handled by VFS / Embassy.
DoV Application Form (for Study visas)
Declaration of Value required for study visas when CIMEA alternative not accepted by the Italian university.
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel — early enough to handle Embassy extension (up to 45 days), not so early that bookings become stale.
- Fill the application form online at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ BEFORE visiting VFS — most VFS centres have limited on-site PCs and filling there creates long queues.
- Italian-language documents are preferred for Business / Family Reunion invitation letters — if originals are in Italian, include an English translation only when required by the Embassy.
- Buy travel health insurance ONLY from the approved Indian insurers list (VFS Italy maintains the current list) — insurance from non-approved providers is rejected even with €30k+ coverage.
- Indian documents (birth/marriage/relationship certificates) need to be duly apostilled by MEA. Italian certificates are to be requested via the ANPR portal with QR code.
- Financial documents: last 6 months personal bank statements (not business accounts), stamped/signed by branch manager. Last 3 years ITR with barcode + Challan receipts strengthen the case.
- Apply 3+ months in advance — Study D processing is 90 WORKING DAYS.
- CIMEA faster than DoV — check if your institute accepts it.
- Financial sponsor options are LIMITED by Italian law — only parents, Italian residents, approved institutions, recognized foreign authorities. Check eligibility carefully.
- Study D is €50 (reduced from €116) — much cheaper than other D categories.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.DoV/CIMEA missing without waiver from Italian institute
- 2.Study certificates SDM-attested only (not MEA apostilled)
- 3.Financial support below €534.41/month OR sponsor not in allowed categories
- 4.Language certification missing or below B2
- 5.Accommodation proof for full duration missing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Study D really cheaper?+
What's DoV vs CIMEA?+
Who can sponsor my study?+
How long is processing?+
Can I work part-time while studying?+
Can family accompany me?+
Let us prepare your Italy Study Visa — Long Term — (National Visa D) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Italy Visa Types
Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing, and non-business leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Italy Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals making conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits in Italy — up to 90 days.
Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Italy — up to 90 days. EU-national family members use a separate streamlined category.
Italy Research Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay research visa for Indian researchers visiting Italy for research activity (≤90 days) with a Host Agreement (Convenzione di accoglienza).
Italy Religious Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian religious workers (priests, pastors, preachers, teachers) travelling to Italy for up to 90 days for religious work.
Italy Study Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay study visa for Indian students undertaking courses ≤90 days in Italy, typically for entrance tests or short programs.
Italy Sports Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for professional and amateur Indian sportspeople, judges, and adjudicators participating in sports events in Italy.
Italy Transit Visa (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers
Schengen transit visa for Indian applicants who have flight or ship connection in Italy — typically for seafarers joining/disembarking ships at Italian ports.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Italy website and Embassy of Italy. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.