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Travora Student · 2027 intake

Study in Italy from Côte d'Ivoire

For Italy, everything goes through an application to the university (its own dates: from November 15, 2026 in Padua for 2027-2028), then the mandatory pre-enrollment on Universitaly, validated by the institution. The Ivorian diploma, legalized by the Ivorian authorities (no apostille), comes with a Dichiarazione di valore (declaration of value) from the Italian Embassy in Abidjan, free for studies but with an Italian translation certified by the embassy, or CIMEA certificates (€150 and €65 at the agreement rates found). The national D "study" visa is submitted at VFS Global in Abidjan (service fee 11,300 FCFA, visa €50, i.e. about 33,000 FCFA in cash); for the 2026 campaign, the embassy opened walk-in submission from July 16 to November 30. You must prove €10,179.85 per year (€783.06 per month), i.e. 6,677,544 FCFA, real accommodation and insurance valid in Italy. Visa application deadline for a laurea (bachelor's) or laurea magistrale (Master's): October 31, 2027. Côte d'Ivoire is not on Italy's list of "particularly poor" countries: for regional scholarships (DSU), proof of income follows the full procedure.

Updated October 12, 2026 · Reliability: medium · 32 sources

Known cost before departure
44,300 – 185,331 FCFApartial
excluding funds and tuition
Required funds (per year)
6,677,544 FCFA / year
€10,179.85 / year
Processing time
Not published by the Abidjan embassy (searched on 12/10/2026); the Helsinki embassy states up to 90 days.
Interview
Yes
Italian Embassy in Abidjan (if summoned)
Before the visa

Admission route

Academic application on each university's platform (file, language), then pre-enrollment on universitaly.it ("Extra-EU citizen: Pre-enrolment application for a study VISA"), one program at one institution only; validation by the university within its quota for non-European students. Same rules for recognized private universities and AFAM (higher arts and music education) institutions. ITS Academy: direct application without Universitaly. Doctorate: competitive exam at each university, visa without a fixed deadline.[1][2][3][4][5]

Admission procedure fees

  • University's own application fees[1]amount not found

    Vary by institution; not found in general (searched on 10/12/2026). No Universitaly pre-enrollment fee mentioned on the pages read.

The visa application

Where to apply

Where to file
Abidjan
Authority
Italian Embassy in Abidjan, 16, rue de la Canebière, 01 BP 1905 Abidjan; tel. +225 27 22 44 61 70; ambasciata.abidjan@esteri.it
Application center
VFS Global · Abidjan
Address
Rue des Carrossiers, Treichville zone 3, Centre commercial HLM, rez-de-chaussée, Abidjan
Appointment
VFS Global portal (prepayment of the service fee); walk-in submission during the window opened by the embassy
Tip
For 2026, from July 16 to November 30, students with the Universitaly pre-enrollment and the Dichiarazione di valore (or CIMEA certificates) submitted directly at VFS without an appointment; watch for the equivalent announcement for 2027. Do not pay a "facilitator".
Processing time
Not published by the Abidjan embassy (searched on 12/10/2026); the Helsinki embassy states up to 90 days. Apply as soon as the pre-enrollment is validated.[25]
Interview
Yes · Italian Embassy in Abidjan (if summoned) · Not systematic: the visa office may call the applicant in and ask for other documents.[22][25]
Center website (VFS Global)

Sources for filing[6][7][8]

In order

The steps

  1. 1

    Choose the program and apply to the university[1][2][3][9][10]

    When: November 2026 - summer 2027

    Check the quota of places for non-European students and each university's deadline (Padua: first window for 2027-2028 closed on November 15, 2026; Pisa, Bari, Venice: pre-enrollment closed on September 30 for 2026-2027; earlier for programs with numerus clausus (limited places)). Documents: passport, bac obtained after at least 12 years of schooling, transcripts, language certificate.

  2. 2

    Prove your language level[2][11]

    When: before the pre-enrollment is validated

    Program taught in Italian: at least B2 level (CILS, CELI, PLIDA or the university's own test, often online). Program taught in English: B2 in English. No CILS or CELI exam center was found in Côte d'Ivoire from an official source: plan for the university's online test or an English certificate.

  3. 3

    Have the diploma legalized in Côte d'Ivoire[12][13][14][15][16]

    When: as soon as possible

    Côte d'Ivoire does not use the apostille: diplomas are legalized at the Direction générale de l'administration du territoire (General Directorate of Territorial Administration, Ministry of the Interior), then at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Free according to an official 2016 information sheet, to be reconfirmed.

  4. 4

    Dichiarazione di valore (declaration of value) at the Italian Embassy (or CIMEA statements)[2][12][17][18][19]

    When: as soon as you are admitted, before the visa application

    Dichiarazione di valore: free for study purposes, by appointment requested at consolare.abidjan@esteri.it, with the legalized diploma and its Italian translation certified as true by the embassy (certification fee depends on the number of pages, amount not recorded). Alternative: CIMEA statements of comparability and verification on the Diplome platform (€150 and €65 in the agreement rates recorded; 15 and 30 working days; service closed in August), which waive the need for legalization.

    • Dichiarazione di valore (Italian Embassy in Abidjan)[12]0 FCFA

      free for study purposes

  5. 5

    Universitaly pre-enrollment and validation[1][2][20]

    Submit the application on universitaly.it; the university validates it (sometimes after its admission decision). Validation does not guarantee the visa.

  6. 6

    Gather funds, housing and insurance[2][5][21][22]

    Funds: €10,179.85 for the year (6,677,544 FCFA), personal statements, from parents or relatives, or an awarded scholarship; cash, bank guarantees and recent deposits are refused. Housing: hotel booking of at least one month, lease or declaration of hospitality. Insurance covering medical care and hospitalization in Italy.

  7. 7

    Filing at VFS Global in Abidjan[7][8][23]

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

    With the validated pre-enrollment and the dichiarazione di valore (or the CIMEA statements): walk-in submission during the student window (July 16 - November 30 in 2026), otherwise an appointment on the VFS portal. Service fee 11,300 FCFA paid online; visa fee €50 (about 33,000 FCFA) in cash.

    • VFS Global service fee[8]11,300 FCFA

      ≈ 17,22 €

    • National "study" visa fee[23][24]33,000 FCFA

      Equivalent of €50 (Abidjan table of 02/01/2026); cash.

  8. 8

    Decision and collection[22][25]

    Processing time not published by the Abidjan embassy; another embassy states up to 90 days. An interview or additional documents may be requested.

  9. 9

    Steps on arrival[2][26][27][28]

    When: September-November 2027

    Within 8 working days: postal kit for the "study" residence permit application (€116.46 for one year), then an appointment at the Questura; codice fiscale (tax code); voluntary registration with the national health service (€700 per calendar year) or private insurance; completing enrollment at the university.

The application

Required documents

  • National visa application form[22]

    required

    Free, completed and signed.

  • Passport[29][30]

    required

    Valid at least 3 months after the end of the requested visa; copy of the identity page.

  • ID photo[30]

    required

    Less than 6 months old, ICAO format.

  • Validated Universitaly pre-enrollment[2][5]

    required

    Pre-admission letter issued by the university via Universitaly.

  • Diploma (bac, Licence for a Master's) and transcripts[2][5]

    required

    Original or certified copy.

  • Dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA statements of comparability and verification[2][5][12]

    required

    The dichiarazione di valore alone is only sufficient if it certifies that authenticity has been verified.

    Local specifics: Italian Embassy in Abidjan: free for study purposes, appointment by email.

  • Legalization of the diploma (no apostille in Côte d'Ivoire)[12][13][19]

    required

    Legalization by the competent Ivorian authorities; unnecessary with the CIMEA statement of verification.

  • Italian translation certified as true by the Italian Embassy[12][17]

    required

    For the dichiarazione di valore; financial documents translated if required.

  • Proof of funds[2][5]

    required

    €10,179.85 per year (€783.06 per month), i.e. 6,677,544 FCFA.

    Local specifics: Personal statements, from parents or relatives; mobile money not mentioned; cash refused.

  • Proof of housing[2][5]

    required

    Confirmed hotel booking of at least one month, lease or declaration of hospitality.

  • Health insurance[2][30]

    required

    Coverage for medical care and hospitalization valid in Italy, with no cap on emergency hospitalization for the residence permit.

  • Language certificate[2]

    requiredbachelor's, master's

    Italian B2 or English B2 if the university has not already checked it.

  • Flight reservation[30]

    required

    A reservation is enough; do not buy before the decision.

  • Visa and service fees[8][23]

    required

    33,000 FCFA in cash; 11,300 FCFA VFS service fee.

Depending on your profile

  • Scholarship award letter[2]

    Only an awarded scholarship counts.

  • Consent of both parents (minors, at least 17 years old)[22][31]

    Notarized, depending on the post.

Before departure

Detailed fees

  • VFS Global Abidjan service fee[8]11,300 FCFA

    Mandatory, paid online; optional services extra.

  • National "study" visa fee[23][24]33,000 FCFA

    Most likely equivalent of €50 in the Abidjan table (the table also cites 77,000 FCFA for €116); cash.

  • Dichiarazione di valore (embassy route)[12]0 FCFA

    Free for study purposes.

  • Certification of the translation by the embassy (dichiarazione di valore route)[17]amount not found

    Art. 72 of the consular fee schedule, amount depends on the number of pages, not recorded (searched on 12/10/2026).

  • Italian translation of the diploma and transcripts[12]amount not found

    Translator rates in Abidjan not found.

  • CIMEA statement of comparability (alternative route)[18](depending on profile)€150≈ 98,394 FCFA

    Agreement rate of one university (updated 02/10/2025); the public price on the Diplome platform was not checked.

  • CIMEA statement of verification (alternative route)[18](depending on profile)€65≈ 42,637 FCFA

    Same caveat.

  • Legalization of the diploma by the Ivorian authorities[16]0 FCFA

    Free according to a 2016 servicepublic.gouv.ci page about other documents; to be reconfirmed for diplomas.

  • University application fees[1]amount not found

    Variable; not found in general terms.

  • Language test (Italian B2 or English B2)amount not found

    No CILS/CELI center found in Côte d'Ivoire; prices of English tests in Abidjan not found.

Known subtotal44,300 – 185,331 FCFA

Excluding funds (€10,179.85). Min = dichiarazione di valore route (free): VFS service 11,300 + visa 33,000. Max = CIMEA route: + €150 and €65 (141,031 FCFA at the fixed rate).

Items with no published official amount (not counted)

  • certification of the translation by the embassy (art. 72 of the consular fee schedule)
  • Italian translation of the documents
  • university application fees
  • language test
  • health insurance
For the visa

Funds to prove

6,677,544 FCFA / yeari.e. €10,179.85 / year

2026-2027 / 2027-2028 circular (valid for two years): €10,179.85 per year, plus the return trip. Funds must be stable, traceable and available on the day of submission; cash, bank guarantees (fideiussione) and recent deposits are refused. The Italian ministry's FAQ and many guides still show €6,079.45 or €6,947.33: outdated.[2][5][21][22]

Accepted proof

  • personal bank statements
  • statements from parents or relatives
  • scholarship actually awarded
2027 intake

Timeline

  1. November 15, 2026

    Padua: first application window closes (foreign qualification)[3]

  2. July 16, 2026 → November 30, 2026

    walk-in visa submission at VFS (2026 campaign)[7]

    window set each year by the embassy; to be confirmed for 2027

  3. September 30, 2026to be confirmed

    Universitaly pre-enrollment deadline at several universities (Pisa, Bari, Venice)[1][9][10]

    same period each year, but each university sets its own date

  4. October 31, 2027

    visa application deadline (laurea, laurea magistrale, AFAM)[2]

Specifics Côte d'Ivoire → Italy

Differences and pitfalls

What differs from the general rule

  • Dichiarazione di valore free for study purposes at the Italian Embassy in Abidjan, by appointment via email; the Italian translation is certified as true by the embassy itself.
  • No apostille: diplomas legalized by the Ivorian authorities before the dichiarazione di valore.
  • Submission at VFS Global (Treichville), with a walk-in window reserved for students (July 16 - November 30 in 2026).
  • Visa fees collected in FCFA, in cash (33,000 FCFA for €50).
  • Côte d'Ivoire is not on the ministry's 2026-2027 list of "particularly poor" countries (Benin, Senegal and Togo are): no simplified income assessment for the regional DSU scholarship.
  • Housing: the Abidjan embassy accepts a hotel booking of at least one month.

Pitfalls to avoid

Old funds amount[2][21]

The minimum is €10,179.85 per year; the amounts of €6,079.45 or €6,947.33 still cited are outdated.

Cash and last-minute deposits[21][22]

Cash, bank guarantees and recently deposited funds are not accepted.

Housing "pending"[2][5]

An application for university housing is not proof: you need a lease, hospitality or a confirmed booking.

University deadlines well before the visa[2][3]

The visa deadline (October 31, 2027) is not the universities' deadline; they close as early as November 2026 (Padua) or in the summer.

Limited walk-in window and "facilitators"[7]

Walk-in submission at VFS was only available until November 30 in 2026; after that, book an appointment on the portal, without paying an intermediary.

Universitaly validation is not a visa[20][30]

Do not pay for non-refundable housing or tickets before the decision.

8-day deadline for the residence permit[2][26]

The postal kit must be sent within 8 working days of arrival; keep the receipts.

Figures

Statistics

Ivorian students in Italy / study visas issued
No official figure found: Italy is not among the destinations in the Campus France Côte d'Ivoire mobility profile; no official figure found (12/10/2026).

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 12, 2026.

Checked on

Sources

  1. [1]Preiscrizione su Universitaly — Università di Pisa, accessed October 12, 2026
  2. [2]Procedure per l'ingresso, il soggiorno, l'immatricolazione degli studenti internazionali… a.a. 2026/2027 e 2027/2028 (circolare MUR-MAECI-Interno, copie hébergée par l'Université de Ferrare) — Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca / MAECI / Ministero dell'Interno, accessed October 12, 2026
  3. [3]Università di Padova – page d'accueil (annonce candidatures titre étranger 2027/28) — Università degli Studi di Padova, accessed October 12, 2026
  4. [4]Study in Italy — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  5. [5]Study purposes – Enrolment in Universities / Études – Inscription universitaire (2026-2027) — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  6. [6]Visti — Ambasciata d'Italia ad Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  7. [7]New procedures for study visas (16 juillet 2026) — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  8. [8]Cost for a visa and how to pay — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  9. [9]Ammissione studentesse e studenti internazionali — Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, accessed October 12, 2026
  10. [10]Preiscrizione e visto studentesse e studenti non europei — Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, accessed October 12, 2026
  11. [11]Requisiti ammissione studenti non-UE – Lauree Magistrali in italiano 2026-2027 — Università di Parma, accessed October 12, 2026
  12. [12]Declaration of Value — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  13. [13]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
  14. [14]Legalization cascade of Ivorian documents — Ambassade de Belgique à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  15. [15]Légalisation de documents ivoiriens — Netherlands Worldwide (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), accessed October 12, 2026
  16. [16]Légalisation de casier judiciaire et certificat de nationalité pour un ivoirien vivant à l'étranger — servicepublic.gouv.ci (Gouvernement de Côte d'Ivoire), accessed October 12, 2026
  17. [17]Legalisation and translations — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  18. [18]Accordo Univpm – CIMEA (ultimo aggiornamento 02-10-2025) — Università Politecnica delle Marche, accessed October 12, 2026
  19. [19]Attestati CIMEA — Università degli Studi di Brescia, accessed October 12, 2026
  20. [20]Foundation Course – Visa — Università di Pisa, accessed October 12, 2026
  21. [21]Studiare in Italia – Domande frequenti — Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, accessed October 12, 2026
  22. [22]Requisiti per il Visto di Studio — Ambasciata d'Italia a Lusaka, accessed October 12, 2026
  23. [23]Tableau des droits perçus pour les visas (Abidjan, 02.01.2026) — Ambassade d'Italie à Abidjan, accessed October 12, 2026
  24. [24]Estratto tabella consolare I trimestre 2026 — Ambassade d'Italie à Washington (tableau consolaire du MAECI), accessed October 12, 2026
  25. [25]Study visa – students enrolling in full Italian university programs — Ambasciata d'Italia a Helsinki, accessed October 12, 2026
  26. [26]Permesso di soggiorno per studenti e dottorandi — Università di Pisa, accessed October 12, 2026
  27. [27]Assistenza sanitaria per gli studenti internazionali — Università di Bologna, accessed October 12, 2026
  28. [28]Mini guida per studenti internazionali — Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, accessed October 12, 2026
  29. [29]Studio – Immatricolazione università — Ambasciata d'Italia a Maputo, accessed October 12, 2026
  30. [30]Visto per studio – Immatricolazione universitaria — Ambasciata d'Italia ad Addis Abeba, accessed October 12, 2026
  31. [31]Info visto studio immatricolazione 2026-2027 — Consolato Generale d'Italia a Valona, accessed October 12, 2026
  32. [32]Fiche mobilité Côte d'Ivoire (édition octobre 2025, données UNESCO sept. 2025) — Campus France, accessed October 12, 2026
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