Italy — Study (PhD (usually funded))

Main requirements

For a Dottorato di ricerca you need an official master's (EQF level 7) that gives access to doctoral study in Iran and has no substantial difference under CIMEA's method. Each university publishes its own call (bando) with selection method, seats and scholarships. Visa-requiring candidates living abroad must also pre-enrol on Universitaly for a PhD.

Documents

Master's diploma and transcript with legalised official translation; CIMEA or Dichiarazione di Valore; CV; research proposal (if the bando asks); reference letters; language certificate; validated pre-enrolment; admission letter and scholarship contract; passport; photos; housing; insurance.

Language

For English-taught programmes the embassy requires B2 (IELTS 6, TOEFL 78 or FCE 169); the bando may ask more or test you in an interview.

Costs and proof of funds

Per the MUR circular, means of support can be provided by reliable Italian institutions including universities, so a formally awarded PhD scholarship replaces the EUR 10,179.85 proof of funds. The legal minimum PhD scholarship is EUR 16,243 gross a year (Decree 247/2022; cycle XLII calls such as Palermo's still use this amount), and some universities pay more (e.g. University of Milan EUR 18,400 for cycle XLII). Unfunded PhD places exist; then you must show full funds yourself.

Steps and timeline

Calls are usually published spring to summer for autumn starts; dates differ by university. The 30 November visa deadline does not apply to PhDs, but the visa must be requested before teaching activities start. Order: find calls and supervisors; prepare proposal and documents; selection; admission and scholarship; Universitaly pre-enrolment; visa.

Once your pre-enrolment is validated you apply for a national D visa 'Studio – Immatricolazione Università' at the Italian Embassy in Tehran via VisaMetric; it is valid 365 days with multiple entries. Per the embassy's visa page, every applicant except children under 12 gives fingerprints. The entry-visa fee per the EU Immigration Portal is EUR 116, plus the VisaMetric service fee. Besides documents, the consulate assesses migration risk: family finances, quality of past studies and how coherent the chosen course is with your background. A validated pre-enrolment and complete file do not guarantee a visa, and you may be called for an interview. If you get the visa but don't enrol, it is revoked from 31 January of that academic year.

Notes for Iranian applicants

The Italian Embassy in Tehran closed in February 2026, reopened on 19 June 2026, and its consular section resumed all services on 8 July 2026. During the closure it announced that Iranians could apply at any reachable Italian embassy or consulate where they can stay legally; if that happens again, ask [email protected]. For 2026/27 study visas no booking was needed: VisaMetric emailed appointments to the address registered on Universitaly. This can change each year, so check your year's notice. The embassy advises getting a CIMEA certificate (comparability plus authenticity) instead of legalisation/Dichiarazione di Valore. Your shenasnameh and diplomas need an official Italian translation legalised by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and university degrees must first be released (degree release). You need a 6-month bank statement in English, issued no more than one week before submission; cash or bank guarantees are not accepted. If you use a parent's account, add proof of relationship (translated and legalised), proof of job, social insurance and income declaration. Uni-Italia Tehran (Pietro della Valle Italian school, [email protected]) gives free guidance on courses and pre-enrolment. The embassy warns against intermediaries claiming special channels; the only allowed costs are the consular fee and the VisaMetric fee.

Men: per Iranian secondary sources, a conscript who is not absent can get an exit permit only for PhD studies, with a valid study exemption and a bond, and the permitted study period is limited; confirm the exact amount and conditions at a Police+10 office before spending money.

After arrival (work during studies, post-study stay, path to permanent residence)

Within 8 working days of arrival you must apply for the study permesso di soggiorno with the postal kit (or a university desk), then attend fingerprinting at the Questura; per the EU Immigration Portal the fee is EUR 40–100 plus about EUR 76.46 in admin costs. To renew each year you must pass at least one exam in year one and at least two in later years. A study permit lets you work up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year. After graduating (bachelor, master, PhD or university master) you can get a 9–12 month permit to look for work or start a business, and study permits can be converted to work permits outside the Decreto Flussi quotas. The EU long-term residence permit needs 5 years of legal residence, income at least equal to the assegno sociale, suitable housing and a pass in an Italian language test; study-permit holders cannot apply until they switch to a work or similar permit.