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Travora Student · 2027 intake

Study in Italy from Benin

For Italy, students residing in Benin apply to the university (institution-specific dates, sometimes from November of the previous year), then submit the compulsory Universitaly pre-enrolment for validation by the university. The national D study visa (€50, equivalent to XOF 32,798 at the fixed exchange rate) falls under the Italian Consulate General in Lagos, but applications and passports are submitted and collected at the Italian honorary consulate in Cotonou, which forwards the file to Lagos. The current Lagos page explicitly confirms this route for national visas; ask the consulate about appointments and local payment. The visa application deadline is 31 October 2027 for laurea and laurea magistrale programmes. Lagos requires the diploma legalised and translated into Italian with a declaration of value or CIMEA statement, legalised and translated birth and family-status certificates, and annual resources of €10,179.85 (XOF 6,677,544). Benin is on Italy’s list of particularly poor countries, allowing simplified assessment for regional scholarships and very low flat tuition fees at some universities.

Updated October 13, 2026 · Reliability: medium · 33 sources

Known cost before departure
32,798 FCFApartial
excluding funds and tuition
Required funds
513,654 FCFA / month
€10,179.85 / year
Processing time
Not published by Lagos; up to 90 days according to the Helsinki embassy, plus transfer of the file between Cotonou and Lagos.
Interview
Yes
Not specified (Cotonou or Lagos)
Before the visa

Admission route

Academic application on each university's platform, then the pre-enrollment "Extra-EU citizen: Pre-enrolment application for a study VISA" on Universitaly (only one program at one institution), validated by the university. Programs in Italian: B2 checked by the university; in English: B2. Secondary school diploma after at least 12 years of schooling. At the visa stage, the Lagos consulate asks for a Dichiarazione di valore or the CIMEA certificate of authenticity. PhD and university master's (master universitari): no fixed deadline, visa before classes start. ITS Academy and language courses: separate routes.[1][4][5][6][7]

Admission procedure fees

  • University application fee[1]amount not found

    Set by each institution, not recorded (October 12, 2026).

  • CIMEA certificates (comparability and verification)[2][3]amount not found

    Prices shown on the CIMEA platform, not recorded; average processing time of 30 to 60 days according to a law firm.

The visa application

Where to apply

Where to file
Cotonou (submission and collection), decided in Lagos
Authority
Consulate General of Italy in Lagos (Nigeria), responsible for Benin; decision made in Lagos
Application center
Honorary consulate of Italy in Cotonou (no external service provider) · Cotonou
Address
Les Cocotiers, Haie Vive, maison 341, 12e arrondissement, Cotonou ; +229 015 750 4743 ; consolato.onorario.italiabenin@gmail.com ; secretariat.consulatitaliebenin@gmail.com
Appointment
Not published: contact the honorary consulate in Cotonou and the Lagos consulate (segreteria.lagos@esteri.it) as soon as Universitaly is validated
Tip
Contact the honorary consulate in Cotonou to arrange submission and confirm payment arrangements. The current Lagos page confirms this location for national visas; French representation covers short stays.
Processing time
Not published by Lagos; up to 90 days according to the Helsinki embassy, plus transfer of the file between Cotonou and Lagos.[10][26]
Interview
Yes · Not specified (Cotonou or Lagos) · Not systematic: the visa office may call the applicant in and ask for other documents.[22][26]
Center website (Honorary consulate of Italy in Cotonou (no external service provider))

Sources for filing[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][33]

In order

The steps

  1. 1

    Choose your program and find the university's deadline[1][4][14][15][16]

    When: October 2026 → spring 2027

    Quota of places for non-EU students set per program. Dates vary: Padua opened a first window for 2027-2028 as early as October 2026, closing on November 15, 2026; Pisa, Bari or Venice closed pre-enrollment on September 30 for 2026-2027; numerus clausus (limited-entry) programs earlier.

  2. 2

    Apply to the university and prove your language level[1][17][18]

    When: depending on the university

    The university's own platform (academic assessment); Italian B2 proven by a certificate (CILS, CELI, PLIDA…) or the university's test, English B2 for a program taught in English.

  3. 3

    Pre-enrollment on Universitaly and validation[1][4][5]

    When: before the university's deadlineDuration: a few days to a few weeks

    Choose the year, institution and program, upload passport, diploma and transcripts. Validation by the university does not guarantee the visa.

  4. 4

    Certify, translate and have your diplomas assessed[1][2][3][7][19][20][21]

    When: from fall 2026 (Dichiarazione di valore: may take several months)Duration: 30 to 60 days (CIMEA); several months (Dichiarazione di valore)

    No apostille (Benin is not party to the convention): certification at the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (original, complete document), then translation into Italian. Add a Dichiarazione di valore (statement of comparability) from the competent Italian mission, or the CIMEA comparability and verification certificates, which exempt you from certification. The same certification and translation rule applies to the birth certificate and family status certificate required by Lagos. Costs and the Italian consular certification service for Beninese documents: not found.

  5. 5

    Gather funds, housing and insurance[1][7][22][23]

    When: before filing

    €10,179.85 per year (€783.06 per month), i.e. 6,677,544 FCFA, in stable, traceable funds (personal account or a family member's up to the 4th degree); cash and bank guarantees refused. Real housing (lease, certificate, assigned room or paid hotel); health insurance valid in Italy (at least €30,000 according to several embassies).

  6. 6

    Submit the visa application at the honorary consulate in Cotonou[1][7][8][10][21][33]

    When: as soon as validated, no later than October 31, 2027 (laurea, laurea magistrale)

    Documents on the Lagos list: signed form, passport (long validity, 16 months according to the list), ICAO photo, Universitaly pre-enrollment, certified and translated diploma with Dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA, language certificate, round-trip booking, housing, insurance, funds, birth and family status certificates; €50 fee. The file goes to Lagos for a decision.

    • National "study" visa fee[24][25]€50≈ 32,798 FCFA

      Currency and payment method in Cotonou not published.

  7. 7

    Decision and collection in Cotonou[9][22][26][33]

    When: summer-fall 2027Duration: up to 90 days (benchmark)

    Processing time not published by Lagos; up to 90 days according to the Helsinki embassy, plus transfer between Cotonou and Lagos. An interview is possible. Do not buy a ticket before the decision.

  8. 8

    Steps on arrival[27][29][30][31]

    When: September-November 2027

    "Study" permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) applied for with the postal kit within 8 working days (€116.46 for one year), appointment at the Questura (police headquarters), codice fiscale (tax code), health coverage (voluntary SSN registration: €700 per calendar year, or private insurance), final immatricolazione (enrollment).

    • One-year residence permit[27][28]€116.46≈ 76,393 FCFA
    • Voluntary SSN (national health service) registration[29]€700 / year≈ 459,170 FCFA
The application

Required documents

  • National visa form filled in and signed[21]

    required

  • Passport[21][25]

    required

    Validity required by the Lagos list: at least 16 months (summary from the tool, to be checked); general rule: 3 months after the visa ends.

  • ICAO-format photo[21]

    required

  • Validated Universitaly pre-enrollment (pre-enrollment letter)[1][21]

    requiredbachelor's, master's, PhD, private school

  • Secondary school diploma (and Licence (bachelor's) for a Master's), certified and translated into Italian[2][7][20]

    required

    Local specifics: Certification at the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; unnecessary with the CIMEA verification certificate.

  • Dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA certificate of authenticity[1][7]

    required

    Local specifics: Italian mission responsible for Benin: Lagos.

  • Translations into Italian[7][32]

    required

    Diploma, civil status documents, financial documents.

    Local specifics: Certified translators in Benin not identified.

  • Italian B2 certificate (or English for a program in English)[1][21]

    requiredbachelor's, master's

  • Funds ≥ €783.06 per month (€10,179.85 per year)[1][7]

    required

    Not required with an Italian government scholarship covering this amount.

    Local specifics: Original financial documents, signed and stamped by the issuer.

  • Proof of housing[1][21]

    required

    A mere application for university housing is not enough.

  • Health insurance[21][22]

    required

  • Round-trip flight booking[21]

    required

  • Birth certificate and family status certificate, certified and translated[21]

    required

    Requirement specific to the Lagos list.

  • Visa fee (€50)[24]

    required

Depending on your profile

  • Cover letter[21]

    Optional.

Before departure

Detailed fees

  • National "study" visa fee[24][25]€50≈ 32,798 FCFA

    Non-refundable; amount in FCFA not published.

  • Dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA certificates[2][3]amount not found

    CIMEA prices shown on its platform, not recorded; Dichiarazione di valore often free or at a symbolic cost according to a law firm.

  • Certifications at the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs[20]amount not found

    Cost not found (10/12/2026).

  • Translations into Italian[7]amount not found

    Fee not found.

  • Italian B2 certificate (CILS, CELI, PLIDA)[1](depending on profile)(bachelor's, master's)amount not found

    Unnecessary if the university runs its own test; no center found in Benin.

  • University application fee[1](depending on profile)amount not found

    Variable.

Known subtotal32,798 FCFA

Excluding funds (€10,179.85). Only the visa (€50) is quantified.

Items with no published official amount (not counted)

  • Dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA
  • Beninese certifications
  • translations into Italian
  • language certificate
  • university application fees
For the visa

Funds to prove

513,654 FCFA / monthi.e. €10,179.85 / year

€783.06 per month of the academic year, at the fixed rate.

Amount from the 2026-2027 / 2027-2028 circular, valid for the fall 2027 intake; return travel costs on top. Stable, traceable funds, not from a recent deposit; cash, bank guarantees and polizza fideiussoria (surety policy) refused. The ministry's FAQ (€6,079.45) is outdated.[1][7][22][23]

Accepted proof

  • personal account
  • funds of parents or relatives up to the 4th degree
  • scholarship actually awarded
  • sponsorship by a reliable third party or institution (Lagos list)
2027 intake

Timeline

  1. November 15, 2026

    Padua: first 2027-2028 application window closes[14]

  2. September 30, 2026to be confirmed

    Universitaly pre-enrollment closed at several universities (2026 reference: September 30)[4][15][16]

    same period every year, date set by each university

  3. October 31, 2027

    visa application deadline (laurea, laurea magistrale, AFAM)[1]

Specifics Benin → Italy

Differences and pitfalls

What differs from the general rule

  • No Italian embassy in Benin: the file falls under the Consulate General in Lagos, submitted and collected at the honorary consulate in Cotonou.
  • The current Lagos page limits French representation to Schengen visas; for studies exceeding 90 days, applications and passports are submitted and collected at the honorary consulate in Cotonou.
  • Lagos list: certified and translated birth and family status certificates, round-trip booking, passport with long validity.
  • No apostille: Beninese certification, or a CIMEA certificate instead.
  • Benin on the 2026-2027 list of "particularly poor" countries: simplified income assessment for regional DSU scholarships, eligibility for scholarships such as "Inclusive" (Sassari); in Messina, €0 flat fee for the poorest-countries group (Benin's classification not verified in the document).

Pitfalls to avoid

Applying in the wrong place[33]

Contact the honorary consulate in Cotonou to arrange submission and confirm payment arrangements. The current Lagos page confirms this location for national visas; French representation covers short stays.

Late Dichiarazione di valore[2][3]

It can take several months; plan for CIMEA (30 to 60 days) if time is short.

Old funds amount[1][23]

€10,179.85 per year is required; €6,079.45 (ministry FAQ) and €6,947.33 are outdated.

Cash, guarantees and recent deposits[22][23]

Refused: you need stable, traceable funds.

University dates far in advance[1][14]

Some universities close their first window in November of the previous year; the visa deadline (October 31, 2027) is not the universities' deadline.

Housing "pending"[1]

An application for university housing that has not been assigned is not proof.

8 days for the residence permit[30]

Postal kit to send within 8 working days of entry; keep the receipts.

Figures

Statistics

Italian study visas issued to Beninese nationals
No official figure found: Searched on 10/12/2026: not found.

Travora does not issue visas.

Travora is not affiliated with any embassy, consulate or service provider (Campus France, TLScontact, VFS Global, BLS…). Rules and amounts change: check the official website before any payment or filing. Page updated October 13, 2026.

Checked on

Sources

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  2. [2]Attestati CIMEA — Università degli Studi di Brescia, accessed October 12, 2026
  3. [3]Certificazione CIMEA e Dichiarazione di Valore a confronto (13 janvier 2025) — Lexia Avvocati (cabinet d'avocats, source secondaire), accessed October 12, 2026
  4. [4]Preiscrizione su Universitaly — Università di Pisa, accessed October 12, 2026
  5. [5]Foundation Course – Visa — Università di Pisa, accessed October 12, 2026
  6. [6]Manifesto titoli esteri a.a. 2026/2027 — Università di Siena, accessed October 12, 2026
  7. [7]Entry visa for « study enrollment » (V.N.) – liste des documents (2026, non datée) — Consolato Generale d'Italia a Lagos, accessed October 12, 2026
  8. [8]Communication – Visa for Resident in Benin Republic — Consolato Generale d'Italia a Lagos, accessed October 12, 2026
  9. [9]TLScontact – Visa Application Centre – Lagos — Consulat général d'Italie à Lagos, accessed October 12, 2026
  10. [10]D.M. 33/0212/BIS du 25 août 2010 – nomination et attributions du consul honoraire à Cotonou — Ministero degli Affari Esteri (Italie), accessed October 12, 2026
  11. [11]The Consular Network — Consolato Generale d'Italia a Lagos, accessed October 12, 2026
  12. [12]Where to apply for a visa — Ambasciata d'Italia Abuja, accessed October 12, 2026
  13. [13]Bénin – représentation d'autres États — France-Visas, accessed October 12, 2026
  14. [14]Università di Padova – page d'accueil (annonce candidatures titre étranger 2027/28) — Università degli Studi di Padova, accessed October 12, 2026
  15. [15]Ammissione studentesse e studenti internazionali — Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, accessed October 12, 2026
  16. [16]Preiscrizione e visto studentesse e studenti non europei — Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, accessed October 12, 2026
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  19. [19]Statustabelle : Übereinkommen vom 5. Oktober 1961 zur Befreiung ausländischer öffentlicher Urkunden von der Legalisation — Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé (HCCH), accessed October 12, 2026
  20. [20]Légalisation de documents béninois — Netherlands Worldwide (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), accessed October 12, 2026
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  22. [22]Requisiti per il Visto di Studio — Ambasciata d'Italia a Lusaka, accessed October 12, 2026
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  28. [28]Permesso di soggiorno — Università degli Studi di Palermo, accessed October 12, 2026
  29. [29]Assistenza sanitaria per gli studenti internazionali — Università di Bologna, accessed October 12, 2026
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