I am preparing for the IMAT to join an MBBS program in Italy, but I have two major concerns regarding my visa application.
First, my passport only has my given name; the surname field is blank. I have heard rumors that Italy and other Schengen countries are rejecting passports with a single name. Will this be an immediate ground for rejection for a Type D student visa?
Second, regarding finances: My family’s monthly income is only around 30k INR. I am planning to fund my 6-year course using a 7.5 Lakh non-collateral loan from SBI (Global Ed-Vantage) and savings of about 6-10 Lakhs. I am also applying for the DSU scholarship. Given that I have no other major assets, is this financial profile sufficient, or will the low family income lead to a rejection based on “insufficient socio-economic ties”? I am stressed and considering dropping the plan if these are deal-breakers.
Let us look at the theoretical limit of your situation. The single name issue is a binary variable: accepted or rejected. Recently, many Schengen states have enforced strict naming conventions requiring both a given name and a surname. A blank surname field creates a logic error in their systems (often entered as FNU - First Name Unknown). It is illogical to proceed without correcting this. Regarding finances: 10 Lakhs INR + 7.5 Lakhs Loan is approximately €19,000. For a 6-year MBBS, this covers the initial phase, but the consulate will calculate the ‘risk’ based on your family’s 30k INR income. They may conclude your family cannot support you if the scholarship fails. The probability of rejection is non-zero.
Listen, I’ve seen this exact panic every IMAT season. You are not in “deal-breaker” territory. Here is the straight talk on your two concerns:
1. The “Single Name” Passport
The Reality: Italy generally accepts passports where the surname is blank for Type D student visas.
The Fix: When filling out your Universitaly and visa forms, you typically repeat your given name in the surname field (e.g., First Name: Xingyang, Surname: Xingyang) or follow specific VFS local guidelines.
Verdict: Not a ground for immediate rejection, though adding a surname to your passport is always “cleaner” for future international travel.
2. The Financial Profile (30k INR Income + 15-18L Funds)
Subsistence vs. Ties: For a student visa, the consulate cares more about you having €6,000+ per year available than they do about high family “ties”.
The SBI Loan is Gold: A sanction letter from a major bank like SBI is the strongest proof of “liquid” funds you can provide.
Low Income = Scholarship: Your 30k INR monthly income actually makes you an ideal candidate for the DSU Scholarship, which covers tuition and provides a stipend.
Verdict: Your profile is sufficient. The combination of a bank loan, personal savings, and a clear path to a need-based scholarship is a solid 6-year plan.
Don’t drop the plan. Focus 100% on the IMAT. As long as your paperwork clearly shows the source of your 15-18L (the loan and savings), the low monthly income won’t stop you
