The Italian government has announced that international students planning to study in Italy for the 2026/2027 academic year must complete a mandatory pre-enrolment process before applying for a study visa. This requirement applies to a wide range of academic programmes and is a crucial first step in the visa application procedure.
Pre-Enrolment Through Universitaly Portal
According to guidance issued by the Italian Embassy, all prospective students are required to pre-enrol through the Universitaly portal, Italy's official online platform for international student applications. The embassy emphasised that pre-enrolment is a compulsory condition that must be fulfilled before any visa appointment can be scheduled.
The embassy stated that only students whose pre-enrolment has been validated by their chosen higher education institution, and for whom any required conditions have been satisfied, can move forward with the visa application process. Failure to complete this step may render an applicant ineligible to proceed.
Categories of Students Affected
The pre-enrolment requirement covers numerous categories of international students. These include applicants for:
- Bachelor's degree programmes
- Master's degree programmes
- Programmes offered by Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM) institutions
- Higher Schools for Language Mediators (SSML)
- International mobility programmes such as Erasmus, Marco Polo, and Turandot
- Specialisation Schools
- PhD programmes
- Advanced Training Courses
- First- and second-level university Master's programmes
- Foundation Courses
- Single courses
- Selected Italian language and culture courses
This broad list underscores that the pre-enrolment step is not limited to degree-seeking students but also applies to those enrolling in short-term or specialised studies.
Steps to Follow After Pre-Enrolment
The embassy advised applicants to request a study visa appointment only after successfully completing the pre-enrolment process and ensuring they possess all the required documents. Appointment requests for study visas should be submitted by email, with the necessary documentation attached. Applicants will receive confirmation only if an appointment is granted; submitting a visa application does not automatically guarantee approval.
Applicants must appear in person when submitting their study visa applications, including minors. They are expected to present original documents together with photocopies where required. The consular authorities reserve the right to request additional documentation if necessary. Applications lacking the required documents will not be accepted.
Additional Requirements and Considerations
The embassy further clarified that the pre-enrolment validation by the Italian higher education institution is a critical gatekeeping step. Institutions will verify that applicants meet all academic and language prerequisites before endorsing their pre-enrolment. Only after this validation can students proceed to the visa stage.
International students are also reminded that the study visa application process is subject to the availability of appointments. The embassy recommends that applicants prepare their documents well in advance and monitor the Universitaly portal for updates. The Italian government has set a deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year, though the exact date may vary by institution. Prospective students are urged to check with their chosen university and the embassy for specific timelines.
This announcement is part of Italy's broader efforts to streamline the entry process for international students while ensuring compliance with immigration regulations. The pre-enrolment step helps both students and institutions confirm eligibility early, reducing delays later in the process.
