Italy Visa Guide for Pakistani Students

At present, Italian Embassy in Pakistan takes long time in visa process (one to four months). However students can save time if they put together all documents necessary for the Visa application and for DOV, beforehand.

Step 1: Drop the visa application

First of all, once you receive the acceptance from the university in Italy, drop the visa application. Be clear in your mind that this is done through FedEx (Gerry’s visa Service). You can read information on their website (www.ambislamabad.esteri.it), however I am sharing the relevant details here. It will certainly be helpful for many students.

• Application form duly filled in and signed by the applicant, together with complete applicant address and phone number
• Valid passport (should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the application)
• Four passport size photographs with white background.
• Proof of having been awarded a study grant by the Italian government, recognized foundations or cultural institutes, International organizations, foreign governments or universities. Where the amount of the grant is in need of supplementation to satisfy the required amount of means of support, economic resources can also be demonstrated by proof of available means of support for the stay in Italy of an amount not less than that established in Table A annexed to Ministry of Interior Directive 1.3.2000 or by:
  • Proof of personal or family resources
  • Bank or insurance warranty or equivalent credit document (bank letter of credit applicable in Italy) or traveller’s chequesor other documentation proving the availability of sources of income in Italy (by means of bank transfer or deposit fromabroad)
• Declaration of the availability in Italy of appropriate lodgings as well as the funds necessary for repatriation, possibly to be demonstrated in the form of a return airline ticket (itinerary one sided reservation)
• Insurance coverage for medical treatment and/or hospitalization, to be demonstrated by means of:
  • Consular declaration attesting to the applicant’s right to healthcare in the presence of specific agreements between Italy and the applicant’s country of origin or
  • Foreign insurance policy or one underwritten with Italian bodies or firms that must not include limitations or exception tothe fees established for emergency hospitalization.
    (Optional, if university provide student with medical insurance).
• Academic records.

FedEx requires three copies of visa application with complete set of documents at a time.

Step 2: Preparation of DOV (Declaration of equal value)

Secondly the most important thing that takes some time is preparation of DOV (Declaration of equal value). I am sharing up to date (Jan 2012) requirements for DOV. There is fair chance of amendment in coming year, do confirm it from Embassy before you start working on it.

1. Original + three copies of Bachelor degree/postgraduate Degree attested by HEC and ministry of foreign affair and translated in Italian language.
2. Original Transcripts + three copies attested by HEC and ministry of foreign affair (Italian translation is not required).
3. Original + three copies of HSSC attested by IBCC and ministry of foreign affair and translated in Italian language.
4. Original + three copies of SSC attested by IBCC and ministry of foreign affair and translated in Italian language.
5. Original + copy of Domicile Certificate.
6. Three copies of passport signed by the holder and legalized by Public Notary.
7. Three copies of detailed syllabus of your last degree provided on university letter head bearing official signature and seal of the university/college.

Embassy recommended Italian translator is Avanti Pakistan. They normally take three to four days for translation. Following is their contact details:

No. 5, ground floor, Block 16 c, Malik plaza, Adjacent to Nadra office, Ayub market, F-8 markaz, Islamabad.Ph: 051-2853229;

Post Credits: Sadaf Badar