Italy had a noteworthy 9.4% increase in the number of residence permits issued for research purposes last year compared to 2022 statistics.

Over 27,000 new study permits were issued by Italian authorities in 2023, the most since 2013, according to a recent Istat report.

Currently, 8.3% of all new licenses issued for various purposes are study permits. Iran is leading the charge, with 4,209 of its citizens receiving residency permits so they can pursue their education.

Nationals of other countries were also granted a high number of study permits, with the figures being as follows:

• China (3,779)
• Türkiye (2,074)
• India (1,785)
• Russian Federation (1,241)
• United States (1,091)

A key finding about study permits in Italy is the gender balance among international students. Data show that in 2023, 54.3 per cent of permits were issued to female students, especially from Russia and the US. In contrast, fewer women from India and Pakistan are studying in Italy, reflecting differences in cultural and socioeconomic conditions.

Italy’s Student Visa Options

For those students who intend to study in Italy, the latter offers two main student visas:

1. Visa Type C (Short-Stay Schengen Visa): This visa is for students studying in Italy for up to 90 days, like summer schools or short courses.
2. Visa Type D (Long-Stay National Visa): This visa is for students whose courses last longer than 90 days.

The short-stay visa costs €90, while the long-stay visa costs around €50, plus extra fees for the residence permit.