Documents for Italian Universities
The papers students from India and Pakistan need to apply to an Italian university, pre-enrol on Universitaly (the Italian government website where you pre-enrol) and get a study visa.
Most papers are used three times: for your university, for Universitaly and for your visa.
Study papers
Certificates, mark sheets, and a DoV or CIMEA statement.
Language
A level B2 certificate (a good, independent level) in the language of your course.
Money
Bank statements and income proof for the visa.
Your university checks these to decide if you can join the course.
- The final certificate after at least 12 years of school.
- Attested and apostilled, or checked through a DoV or CIMEA statement.
- A bachelor's degree that your own country accepts for starting a master's.
- A list of exams passed and, for each subject, the list of topics you studied.
- For every year of study.
- India: attested by your state education department and apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Twelve years of school
Some universities also ask for a motivation letter or reference letters. Check your course page.
- India: the Italian visa offices ask for a one-page letter on why you chose the course and university, who pays and where you will live.
- Pakistan: the Embassy of Italy in Islamabad asks for a letter to the visa officer about why you want to study in Italy.
You need money papers for the visa and again for your residence permit.
- At least EUR 10,179.85 a year (2026-27).
- Bank statements for 6 months, stamped and signed by the bank.
- Income tax returns and salary slips or business papers of the person who pays.
Average Cost Overview for Italy
Italian offices check that your papers are real. How you get them stamped depends on your country.
DoV or CIMEA
- Attestation by your state education department, then an apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). An apostille is an official stamp that other countries accept.
- You apply for the DoV at VFS Global (the company that takes Italy visa papers in India). You can also apply through Uni-Italia (an Italian group that helps students).
- Papers from Pakistani offices must carry an apostille.
- Papers must be in English or come with an Italian translation certified by a notary (an officer who certifies papers).
- A statement of comparability says what level your degree is in Europe.
- A statement of verification confirms your degree is real.
- CIMEA is Italy's centre for checking foreign degrees.
•India: a stamp from a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) is not accepted by the Italian visa offices.
•India: if your name is spelled differently on two papers, the offices ask for a "one and the same person" certificate.
•Pakistan: papers are valid for only 6 months from the day they were issued.
Tick these off as you go. Your university may ask for more.
Study papers
Language
Identity
Money
Tips
Start the attestation and apostille early. Check that your name and birth date match on every paper.
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