Pre-enrollment is now open for international students who are still abroad and wish to attend universities, academies and conservatories in Italy. This news was reported by the interministerial portal “Integrazione Migranti.”
The Ministry of Universities and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have published the new “Procedures for the Entry, Residence, and Enrollment of International Students and the Recognition of Their Qualifications for Higher Education Programs in Italy,” valid for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 academic years. The aim is “to coordinate and guide the policies of Italian higher education institutions, diplomatic and consular missions, and police headquarters regarding the entry, residence, enrollment, and recognition of academic credentials of international students for higher education programs in Italy.” 
“Applications for pre-enrollment for the issuance of visas for candidates seeking to enroll in degree programs at Italian higher education institutions must be submitted exclusively through the UNIVERSITALY portal, the sole free and official portal of the Ministry of Universities and Research,” reads a notice published on Universitaly.it. “For the 2026–2027 academic year, visa applications must be submitted to the relevant diplomatic and consular missions no later than November 30, 2026. For the 2027–2028 academic year, however, the deadline for submitting visa applications is October 31, 2027.”

Universitaly website