For many international students who want to study in Italy, especially non-EU students residing abroad, the Universitaly pre-enrolment process is one of the most important steps before applying for a study visa. For IMAT 2026 candidates, this procedure is particularly relevant because students applying to English-taught Medicine and Surgery courses may need both the IMAT admission process and the Universitaly visa-related pre-enrolment process.
According to the official international student procedures for A.Y. 2026/2027, the pre-enrolment application for students applying to Italian higher education institutions must be submitted exclusively through Universitaly, which is the official and free portal of the Italian Ministry of University and Research for this procedure.
What Is Universitaly Pre-Enrolment?
Universitaly pre-enrolment is the online procedure used by international students who need a study visa for university enrolment in Italy. It allows the chosen Italian university to check the student’s application and, if the evaluation is positive, validate the application for the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate. Universitaly explains that students must complete the “Pre-enrolment” application after creating an online account and upload the qualifications and documents required for access to the chosen study programme.
This process is important because the university’s validation can lead to the issue of a Letter of eligibility for enrolment, which is needed to start the study visa procedure. However, students must understand that Universitaly pre-enrolment is not the same thing as final university enrolment, and it is also not the same thing as IMAT registration. IMAT registration concerns the admission test, while Universitaly pre-enrolment concerns the visa and international student procedure.
Who Needs to Complete Pre-Enrolment?
The procedure mainly applies to non-EU students residing outside Italy who need a study visa to enter Italy and enrol in an Italian university. Sapienza, for example, states that online pre-enrolment on Universitaly is mandatory for all non-EU students residing abroad who require a study visa to enter Italy and enrol at the university.
EU citizens, EFTA citizens, and some non-EU citizens who are already legally residing in Italy may follow different procedures and may not need the same visa-related pre-enrolment pathway. Universitaly explains that EU citizens and students from EFTA countries do not need a visa, while non-EU citizens must apply for a student visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate of their jurisdiction.
Before You Start: Read Your University’s Official Instructions
Before opening your Universitaly application, students should carefully check the website of the university and the course they want to apply to. Universitaly clearly states that the evaluation of the application and foreign qualifications for enrolment is under the exclusive responsibility of the Italian higher education institution.
This step is especially important for IMAT candidates because Medicine and Surgery is usually a restricted-access course. At Sapienza, for example, the university states that for restricted-access courses, the Universitaly application will be validated only if the candidate is among the winners in the official ranking.
In simple words: submitting a Universitaly pre-enrolment application does not automatically mean that you are admitted to Medicine. You still need to follow the official admission call, sit the IMAT if required, and obtain a successful position in the ranking.
Step 1: Create Your Universitaly Account
The first practical step is to create an account on the Universitaly portal. Students must enter their personal details carefully, using the same information shown on their passport. This is very important because mistakes in names, date of birth, citizenship, or passport details may create problems later during university validation or visa processing.
Once the account is created, the student usually receives a confirmation email and must complete the registration process by following the instructions provided. Sapienza’s 2026 orientation material explains that after completing the registration page, students receive a confirmation email and must follow the instructions in that email before opening the pre-enrolment application.
Step 2: Open a New Pre-Enrolment Application
After logging in, students should open the pre-enrolment application section. Universitaly describes this as the online “Pre-enrolment” application that students must complete after creating their account.
In the portal, students should look for the option usually called “Pre-enrol now” or “New pre-enrolment application.” Sapienza’s 2026 guidance explains that after registration and confirmation, students can open the pre-enrolment application through the “Pre-enrol now” button in order to proceed with the study visa request.
Step 3: Complete Step A — Personal Data and Academic Year
In Step A, students usually check the personal data already entered during registration and select the correct academic year. For the current IMAT 2026 cycle, students should make sure they are selecting A.Y. 2026/2027, not a previous academic year.
Sapienza’s 2026 Universitaly guidance describes Step A as the section where students find the details uploaded during registration and must add the academic year from the drop-down menu before continuing to Step B.
Before moving forward, students should check every personal detail carefully. The information should match the passport exactly, including spelling, middle names, surname order, gender, date of birth, place of birth, and citizenship.
Step 4: Complete Step B — Passport, Visa Choice, Embassy, and Course Information
Step B is one of the most important parts of the Universitaly pre-enrolment form. In this section, students usually upload a passport-size photo and a valid passport. Sapienza’s 2026 guidance states that students must upload a passport-size picture and a valid passport, and it also notes that the passport must be valid for at least three months after the visa expiration date.
Students must also select the Italian Embassy or Consulate where they will apply for the study visa. This must normally be the Italian diplomatic mission responsible for the country where the student resides. Sapienza’s instructions specify that students must choose the Embassy or Consulate where they will apply for the study visa, and that it has to be in the country where they reside.
The student must then indicate the reason for the visa application. For a full university degree, the correct option is usually “I want to enrol in a study course.” Sapienza’s guidance specifically warns students to be extremely careful with this choice because it must correspond to the student’s future academic pathway in Italy.
In the course information section, students must select the type of institution, the institution name, the course type, the language of the course, and the exact course name. For Medicine and Surgery applicants, this is very important because the study visa will be linked to the course selected on Universitaly. Sapienza’s 2026 guidance states that the course name must correspond to the student’s final choice because the study visa will be issued only for the course indicated in Universitaly.
Some universities may also ask students to enter an internal university ID number, such as a matricola or student ID. Sapienza’s instructions, for example, refer to uploading or entering the student’s Infostud matricola number in the relevant field.
Step 5: Complete Step C — Upload Your Qualifications and Required Documents
Step C is the section where students upload their qualifications and supporting documents. Universitaly states that students must upload their qualifications and all documents required to access the chosen study programme.
For Bachelor’s and single-cycle degrees, including Medicine and Surgery, students may need documents such as a high school diploma, transcript, translation, Declaration of Value, CIMEA statements, language certificates, or other documents required by the university and by the student’s country-specific rules. The exact list depends on the university, the chosen programme, and the education system where the qualification was obtained.
Sapienza’s 2026 guidance explains that in Step C students must upload all mandatory documents required for the evaluation of their profile, choose the type of qualification from the drop-down menu, upload the qualification name, and upload as many documents as required according to the mandatory document list.
Students should not upload random or incomplete files without checking the university’s official document list. For IMAT candidates, it is especially important to check whether the university requires specific documents for single-cycle Medicine and Surgery and whether any additional rules apply to qualifications obtained outside Italy.
Step 6: Review the Summary Before Submission
After completing the form, students reach the summary page. This is the final opportunity to review the information before submitting the application.
Students should carefully check their name, surname, date of birth, citizenship, passport details, Embassy or Consulate, university name, course name, language of instruction, academic year, and uploaded documents. Even a small mistake may delay the validation process.
Sapienza’s guidance explains that in the final summary page students can check their data again, go back to change information if needed, approve the data processing, and finally apply for pre-enrolment by clicking the dedicated button.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Once everything has been checked, students must click the final button to submit the pre-enrolment application. After submission, the chosen university receives the application in its back-office platform and evaluates it for possible validation for the Embassy or Consulate selected by the student.
Students should not simply save the application and leave it unfinished. The application must be officially submitted before the university deadline. Sapienza, for example, states that pre-enrolment applications for non-EU students residing abroad must be finalized and submitted by 30 June 2026 at 23:59 Italian time.
Different universities may set different internal deadlines. Ca’ Foscari, for example, lists a Universitaly pre-enrolment deadline of 30 September 2026 for its 2026/2027 procedures. (Unive) This shows why students must always check the specific deadline of their chosen university and programme.
Step 8: Wait for University Evaluation and Validation
After submission, the university checks the application and decides whether it can validate it. Universitaly explains that if the application is positively evaluated, the institution can issue a Letter of eligibility for enrolment and validate the application online with the details required by the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.
If documents are missing or unclear, the university may ask the student to integrate or correct the application. Sapienza states that incomplete applications may be reopened so candidates can upload missing documents, but the application must still be submitted by the deadline to be eligible for further updates or integrations.
Students should check their email regularly after submission because universities may contact them for corrections, missing files, or additional documents.
Final Advice for IMAT 2026 Candidates
For IMAT 2026 candidates, the safest strategy is to prepare early. Create your Universitaly account, check your passport validity, collect your academic documents, read the official call of your chosen university, and make sure you understand whether you need a study visa.
If you are a non-EU student residing abroad, Universitaly pre-enrolment is not just a formality. It is a key part of your path to studying Medicine in Italy. Submit your application carefully, follow your university’s instructions, monitor your email, and prepare your visa documents well in advance.
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