The Italian Ministry of University and Research has significantly tightened the criteria for international students, announcing a substantial increase in the minimum bank balance required to secure a study visa for the upcoming academic years.
According to the updated regulations for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 sessions, the financial threshold for a National Study Visa (Type D) has been raised to €10,179.85 per year. This marks a sharp climb from the previous requirement of approximately €6,000, adding an additional burden of nearly €4,000 for prospective applicants.
In local terms, Pakistani students will now need to demonstrate liquid assets exceeding Rs3.2 million to meet the basic financial eligibility.
Italian authorities have emphasized that declared funds must be entirely legal and verifiable. The embassy will conduct rigorous means of subsistence checks to ensure that funds are not merely temporary deposits made to satisfy visa requirements.
The new policy dictates that the embassy will scrutinize the source of income and the historical transaction patterns of the bank account. While funds in the student’s own account are preferred, sponsorship from close relatives (up to the fourth degree) is permissible, provided their financial standing and the legitimacy of their funds are documented.
The guidelines further clarify that merely applying for or being eligible for a scholarship will no longer suffice. Until a final award letter is issued, students are mandated to show the full required bank balance.
Furthermore, the ministry reiterated that university pre-enrolment or a letter of admission does not guarantee a visa. The final decision remains at the discretion of the Italian diplomatic missions, which will assess the applicant’s academic background, financial stability, and genuine intent to study.
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