Before the appointment: Universitaly and ALMAVIVA
The appointment is not booked independently by the student. Once the Italian university correctly validates the pre-enrolment on Universitaly and sends it to the Italian Embassy in Tunis, ALMAVIVA contacts the student by e-mail to schedule the visa file submission.
Main documents to prepare
- Visa application form, correctly completed and signed.
- Passport valid for more than 15 months for a type D visa.
- Recent identity photo compliant with the requested standards.
- Universitaly pre-enrolment letter in two copies, validated and sent to the Embassy by the university.
- Final secondary school diploma in original + copy, translated into Italian and legalized, with declaration of value or CIMEA certification if required.
- Short motivation letter, when useful to strengthen the file.
- Academic aptitude test certificate or language assessment results if required by the university.
- Language certificate: at least B2 Italian for courses in Italian, or sufficient proof for courses taught in English.
- Round-trip flight or ferry booking, or proof of autonomous transport availability.
- Proof of accommodation for the initial stay: hotel booking, accommodation declaration or similar proof.
- Medical insurance covering healthcare and hospitalization, also needed for the residence permit request.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources in Italy: minimum 10,179.85 €, with original bank documents and bank identity certificate.
- Documents from the sponsor covering the expenses: work, salary slips, bank statements, CNSS, pension, property, company papers, depending on the situation.
- Bank blocking certificate: 783.06 € per month for 13 months, equal to 10,179.85 €, irrevocably blocked for one year.
- Student birth certificate and family certificate, original, apostilled and translated into Italian.
- Personal and/or family socio-economic situation certificate issued by the competent Tunisian ministry.
Financial proof: a sensitive part of the file
The reference amount is 10,179.85 €. If the scholarship is lower than this amount, the student must provide proof covering the missing amount. Sponsorship may come from parents or family members up to the 4th degree, according to the stated conditions.
Bank documents and blocking certificates must be originals, signed and stamped by the relevant institution or bank branch.
Frequent mistakes to avoid
- Starting the visa file before Universitaly validation is clear.
- Preparing translations without checking whether apostille or legalization is required.
- Presenting financial documents that do not match the sponsor, bank certificate or family situation.
- Using accommodation proof that does not match the study city or arrival dates.
- Forgetting that admission does not automatically mean a visa will be issued.
Translations, apostille and originals
Documents must be presented in French, translated into Italian and apostilled when required. Keep originals, copies, translations and supporting evidence in a clear order.
After arriving in Italy
From arrival in Italy, the student has 8 days to report to the competent Questura to request the residence permit. Students waiting for their first residence permit should not leave Italy before receiving it.
What VisaHorizon checks
VisaHorizon reviews the logic of the file: Universitaly, academic path, translations, financial proof, sponsor documents, housing, insurance and the order of documents before submission.