Italy Massively Increases Bank Statement Requirement for Student Visas

Italy has raised the financial proof requirement for international students applying for a study visa for university enrollment to €10,179.85 per year, according to the latest official procedures published on the Universitaly portal.

The updated requirement applies to international students seeking a Study Visa for University Enrollment, also known as a national Type D visa, for higher education courses in Italy.

Universitaly is the official free access portal of Italy’s Ministry of University and Research for international students’ pre-enrollment. The updated procedures are valid for the academic years 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028.

According to the official circular, international students must show sufficient financial means for their stay in Italy. The document sets this amount at €10,179.85 annually.

This means students should now prepare financial documents showing roughly €10,000 or more for their visa file. For Pakistani students, this is around Rs. 3.2 million, depending on the exchange rate.

The amount is significantly higher than the earlier commonly cited requirement of around €6,000. However, the latest official document confirms the new annual figure of €10,179.85 for the 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028 academic years.

The circular also says the funds must come from lawful and traceable sources. Italy’s diplomatic missions may check where the money came from and whether it genuinely belongs to the student or the student’s family.

The document says the money should preferably be in the student’s own account. Alternatively, it can be provided by the family unit, including relatives up to the fourth degree.

Italian authorities may also review bank account movement, income records and the wider financial condition of the student or sponsor. This means students should avoid arranging funds only for a short period without a clear source.

The circular says financial support can also come from recognized Italian institutions, universities, local governments or foreign institutions considered reliable by the Italian diplomatic mission.

However, simply applying for a scholarship or being eligible for a regional scholarship will not be counted as financial proof unless the student has an explicit confirmation that the scholarship has been awarded.

The updated procedures also make clear that admission or pre-enrollment validation by an Italian university does not guarantee a visa appointment or visa approval.

The final decision on a study visa remains with the relevant Italian embassy or consulate. The embassy can also assess the student’s migration risk, socioeconomic background, previous education and the link between past studies and the chosen course in Italy.

Pakistani students planning to apply for an Italy study visa should prepare bank statements and supporting income documents according to the new €10,179.85 annual financial proof requirement.

They should also make sure their funds are properly documented, legally sourced and consistent with their family income. This will be important because the embassy can check both the availability and the origin of the funds.

Students should also continue checking the Italian Embassy in Islamabad and Universitaly portals for any additional visa checklist updates before submitting their file.