Gondolas on the Grand Canal by the Rialto Bridge, Venice
Frequently Asked Questions

Study in Italy FAQs — Fees, IELTS, Visa & Refunds

Honest, plain-language answers about our services, fees, and what to expect — based directly on our consultancy agreement.

Our Services

What We Help With

We provide advisory and administrative support for four things: (1) university admission guidance — choosing programs, course matching, and submitting your application via the Universitaly portal; (2) pre-enrollment & documentation — compiling academic papers, translations, and CIMEA/DOV statements; (3) visa guidance — reviewing your checklist requirements; and (4) general advice on the Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) process within 8 working days of arriving in Italy.

Scholarship and regional grant programs (like DSU or EDISU) are run entirely by Italian regional bodies, not by us. They are not part of our paid service scope, and we do not guarantee scholarship outcomes. If you'd like, we can point you toward the official portals so you can apply directly.

Italian universities need official proof of what your Pakistani qualifications are worth. There are two accepted ways to provide it: the Dichiarazione di Valore (DOV), which is issued by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in Pakistan, or a Statement of Comparability issued by CIMEA (Centro di Informazione sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche), which many universities accept instead of the DOV. Each university states which one it accepts, so we confirm this for your chosen programs. We assist with compiling and submitting the right documents; any CIMEA or consulate fees are paid directly by you.

No. We act in an advisory and administrative capacity only. The final decision on admission, scholarships, or a Type-D study visa always rests with the respective Italian university and the Italian diplomatic authorities — we do not and cannot guarantee any outcome.

Requirements & Visa

IELTS, Bank Statement & Visa Refusals

Often, yes. Many Italian universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your Pakistani university or board, confirming your previous studies were taught in English, instead of an IELTS score. Other programs require IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo with a minimum score, and the embassy may still assess your English at the visa interview. Language rules vary by university and program, so we check them for every program before you apply.

There is no single fixed amount, but you do need a bank statement showing you can support yourself during your studies. A balance of around PKR 25 lakh (minimum) to PKR 35 lakh (maximum) is generally what's needed. The statement should show a stable balance over recent months, and if a parent or sponsor is funding you, their statement and a sponsorship letter are needed too. We review your statement before you apply and tell you if anything needs strengthening.

The most common reasons are: incomplete or inconsistent documents; insufficient or unexplained funds in the bank statement; a pre-enrolment that was not validated on the Universitaly portal; academic documents without the required DOV/CIMEA statement or HEC and MoFA attestation; a weak interview where the study plan isn't clear; and false documents, which lead to refusal and can affect future applications. We review your file to catch these issues before submission, but the final decision always rests with the Italian diplomatic authorities.

Fees & Payment

Costs, Payments & Refunds

Our total service fee is a fixed PKR 150,000, paid in three stages: PKR 50,000 when you agree to our service, PKR 50,000 once you secure university admission, and PKR 50,000 once you receive your visa. There are no hidden charges — the fee structure is fixed and published upfront.

No. Our service fee excludes third-party costs — university application fees, pre-screening fees (e.g. CIMEA), embassy/consulate visa fees, health insurance premiums, and translation costs. These are paid directly by you to the relevant institution, consulate, or provider.

Partly. If university admission is not secured through no fault of yours, we refund PKR 25,000 of the PKR 50,000 advance; the remaining PKR 25,000 covers the application work already done. Once admission is granted, fees paid are non-refundable, and no refund applies if your visa is rejected due to false documents, insufficient funds, or missing your appointment.

Your Responsibilities

What We Expect From You

You agree to provide accurate, truthful, and authentic documents and personal information; pay all official fees directly to universities, consulates, or government portals; and attend every mandatory in-person appointment at the Italian Embassy/Consulate.

Our service fee becomes non-refundable if your visa is rejected because of false documents, lack of funds, or failure to attend your appointment. This is why honesty and preparation matter — we're only able to guide you well when the information you give us is accurate.

Our Service Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Pakistan.

Why Italy UniPathways

Why Students Choose Us

We're Pakistanis actually living in Italy, and we started this because we've seen how many students get charged very high, often unclear fees by agents back home who don't really understand the process themselves. Our fee is fixed and published upfront, and because we're on the ground in Italy, our guidance on documentation, visas, and settling in comes from direct, current experience — not guesswork.

Yes — that's exactly who we built this for. Most students who reach out don't know the procedure at all. Fill out the free eligibility form or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll walk you through it step by step from your very first question.

Still Have Questions?

Talk to us directly — we reply personally, not with a call center script.