Foreign students coming from countries outside the EU and EFTA (i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) who are being enrolled for the first time and who need a Visa to enter Italy should obtain from the University a “Pre-Admission Certificate” necessary to obtain a “Visa for Studies” from the Italian Consulate in their countries.

In order to obtain the Pre-Admission Certificate, the student should present the following documents to the Dean of the Faculty in which he/she wishes to be enrolled:

• A Letter of recommendation of the Religious Superior in the case of Religious (seminarians/priests/Sisters), or of the Ordinary of the diocese in the case of diocesan priests, seminarians or lay students. The letter of the Ordinary must be countersigned by the Apostolic Nunciature of the country of origin. A letter of recommendation from a parish priest or another ecclesiastic is not enough.
• A photocopy of the previous university studies undertaken with the marksheets enclosed.  The original is to be submitted at the time of admission.
• A formal letter from the Superior of the Religious Institute or the sponsor (Bishop or otherwise) declaring one’s responsibility for the payment of all the expenses for the studies, the board and lodge and medical expenses of the student while he/she is in Italy.
• A photocopy of one’s passport.
• The address of one’s place of residence in Rome during the period of studies. Diocesan students (priests or seminarians) should reside in the colleges or institutes in Rome mentioned in the Annuario Pontificio. Students having difficulty finding lodging can kindly contact the Office of the Students of the University for any possible help ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
• Once the Dean has satisfactorily evaluated all the documents received, the Pre-Admission Certificate will be issued by the Secretary General. The same certificate must be then endorsed by the Congregation of Catholic Education and then by the Vatican Secretary of State and in certain cases even by the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy and the Prefecture of Rome.
• In any case it would be opportune to consult the Italian Consulate in one’s own country for further information.
• The certificate is free. The expenses incurred by the Secretariat for obtaining the document and the mailing thereof amounts to €40 (40 euros).

N.B. Please note that any requests received after the 20th July will not be considered till the re-opening of the administrative offices in the month of September. For further information or in special cases, please contact the Office of the Secretary General ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )