To Do for International Students

Non-EU students must obtain a Type D Student Visa before traveling to Italy. Compliance with all immigration requirements is essential to completing your enrollment and entering the country.

Click here to determine whether you require a visa and to find out where to apply. To ensure that your application is validated and forwarded to the relevant Italian Embassy or Consulate before the August summer closure, you are strongly advised to apply by 3 July 2026.

Application Procedure

To begin your visa application, you must register on the Universitaly portal. 

From the homepage:

• Select “International Students”
• Click “Pre-enroll Now”
• Complete the required three-step application form for the 2026–2027 academic year

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1: Personal Information

• Enter your personal details exactly as shown on your passport

Step 2: Passport and Program Details

• Provide your passport number and expiration date, uploading a:
  • Copy of the first two pages of your passport
  • Passport-sized photograph
• Select the country of application and the Italian Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Then, under the reason for your visa request, choose “I want to enroll in a study course”
• Select the following:
  • University: Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
  • Degree type: Dottorato di ricerca (PhD)
  • “Every Language”           
    • Choose your admitted Program Name, and “Language: ITALIANO” will appear
• Enter your Bocconi student ID (matriculation number), available in the Admissions Portal

Step 3: Academic Documents

• Upload your graduate degree(s) (e.g. MSc, MA) previously submitted during the admissions process
• If you have not yet graduated, upload your academic transcripts instead

Note: No additional documents (including language certificates) are required at this stage.

After Submission

Once your application is completed, the PhD School Office will upload your official admission letter. This document will be used by the Italian Embassy or Consulate to process your visa application.

After Arrival in Italy

After entering Italy with your student visa, you must apply for a resident permit for study purposes (Permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio).

As soon as you submit your application at the Post Office, please send a copy of the receipt to the PhD School Office (phdschooloffice@unibocconi.it). 

All non-EU students holding a valid student visa must apply for a residence permit for study purposes (permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio) within eight working days of arrival in Italy. 

The residence permit is issued by the local Immigration Office (Questura - Ufficio Stranieri) based on your place of residence. However, the application must first be submitted through an authorized Post Office.

Closest Post Offices to Bocconi (in walking distance):

• Via Cordusio, 4 - Central Post Office of Milan
  • English, Spanish and Chinese-speaking staff
  • Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:20am–7:05pm, Saturday 8:20am–12:35pm
  • Phone number: 02 72.48.2126
• Corso Italia, 16
  • Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:20am–1:35pm, Saturday: 8:20am–12:35pm
• Viale Sabotino, 21/a
  • Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:20am–7:05pm, Saturday 8:20am–12:35pm
• Via Baroni Costantino, 11/C (near Arcobaleno Residence)
  • Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:20am–1:35pm, Saturday: 8:20am–12:35pm

Special Cases

Non-EU students who already hold a residence permit issued by another Schengen country do not need to apply for an Italian residence permit, provided that the permit covers their entire stay in Italy. Instead, they must submit a declaration of presence within eight working days of arrival at the local Immigration Office/Questura (the one closest to Bocconi is located on Via Tabacchi 6). You must always carry a copy of the declaration of presence, as you may be asked to show it in case of police checks.

Note: If the existing Schengen residence permit does not cover the full duration of your stay, you must apply for an Italian residence permit.

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1: Post Office Application

Begin by completing “Modulo 1” of the application kit (yellow-striped envelope), available free of charge at Post Offices or the PhD School Office.

Important Notes:

  -Provide an Italian mobile number to receive SMS updates

  -Inserting a tax code is not mandatory at this stage

  -Keep a copy of your completed application for future reference as you will need it when you

   get your fingerprints taken at the Immigration Office

  -The application fee costs €30

Required Documents:

• Copy of admission letter or enrollment certificate from Bocconi (ideally if sealed/stamped by the Italian Embassy or Consulate when visa was issued)
• Copy of passport personal data page and visa page. You must also bring original document to the Post Office
• Copy of health insurance policy or payment receipt. It must remain valid in Italy for the entire duration of the residence permit, and must cover both illness and injury. If you have private health insurance, it must be valid internationally. You also must provide a certificate in English specifying the start and end dates of coverage
• Copy of bank statement or letter confirming sufficient financial resources (approximately €7,000 per year) for duration of residence permit. The document must clearly state your name
• €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo) that can be purchased at the tobacco shop, and must be placed on the completed residence permit application
• Payment receipt of €70.46 for the electronic residence permit, to be paid at the Post Office (the payment form is included in the Post Office Kit)

*You must indicate the following address on both the application form and payment slip: Via Mercanti 8, 20121 (Milan). This address is valid only for first-time applications.

After submission, you will receive the following:

1. Receipt (ricevuta) with login credentials to track your application online. This will serve as proof of your legal status until the residence permit is issued, so always keep it with you.
2. Appointment letter with a date and time for fingerprinting at the Immigration Office. If the appointment letter is not given to the applicant at the Post Office, it will be sent later as certified mail — called raccomandata — to the applicant's address in Italy. If you do not receive the letter by mail, please monitor your residence permit application status here. You can access this website by using the user ID and password found on your post office receipt.

Step 2: Appointment at the Immigration Office

Attend your appointment on the scheduled date, and bring both originals and copies of all documents.

Required Documents:

• Passport or other form of ID
• Bocconi admission letter or declaration of enrollment in Bocconi PhD program (in Italian)
• Two identical, passport-size photos
• Copy of health insurance policy or payment receipt. It must remain valid in Italy for the entire duration of the residence permit, and must cover both illness and injury. If you have private health insurance, it must be valid internationally. You also must provide a certificate in English specifying the start and end dates of coverage
• Original bank statement confirming sufficient financial resources (approximately €7,000 per year). If you have been awarded a Bocconi fellowship, the amount will be specified in your enrollment certificate (see above)
• Proof of your confirmed accommodation in Italy (e.g. a declaration of hospitality from your host or accommodation provider, or a signed rental contact) 
• Post office receipt + receipt of payment of €70.46 paid at the Post Office for the electronic residence permit 

During the appointment, you will also confirm your home address in Milan.

Step 3: Collecting Your Residence Permit 

You will be notified of a second appointment to collect your residence permit. Only students with an Italian phone number will receive an SMS notification.

Using the credentials provided in your receipt, you can track the status of your application on the Portale Immigrazione website. When entering your password, do not include any dashes (-).

Note: Once you have obtained your residence permit, you must also register with the Registry Office of the municipality where you intend to reside. Information on how to register with the municipality is available at this link.