Cameroon to Italy
language & visa guide

Why learn Italian?

Italy has a large Cameroonian diaspora, especially in cities like Milan, Rome, Naples, and Turin. Whether you're joining family, studying at an Italian university, or taking a work opportunity, Italian language proficiency is essential for your visa and daily life.

Italian language levels (CEFR)

Italy uses the same CEFR framework as the rest of Europe:

Level	What you can do	Time to reach (from zero)
A1	Introduce yourself, basic phrases, simple questions	2-3 months
A2	Handle daily situations, simple conversations, short texts	4-5 months
B1	Express opinions, understand main points of clear speech, write simple texts	6-9 months
B2	Follow lectures, participate in discussions, write detailed texts	10-14 months

Italian language exams

Italy recognizes several official language certificates:

Exam	Organization	Notes
CELI	University of Perugia	Most widely recognized. Available at Italian Cultural Institutes worldwide.
CILS	University of Siena	Equally accepted. Popular for university admission.
PLIDA	Dante Alighieri Society	Accepted for visa and residency applications.
IT	University Roma Tre	Less common but officially recognized.

Important: For long-term residence permits (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo), Italy requires A2 minimum. For university admission, B2 is typically required.

Visa types and language requirements

Visa Type	Italian Level Required
Family reunification	A2 (for long-term residence)
Student visa	B2 (Italian-taught programs)
Work visa	A2-B1 (varies by employer)
Long-term residence	A2 minimum (mandatory test)
Italian citizenship	B1 (required since 2018)

Study timeline: Zero to A2/B1

Month	Level	Focus
1-2	A1	Greetings, numbers, present tense, everyday vocabulary
3-4	A2	Past tense (passato prossimo), daily conversations, reading short texts
5-6	A2 exam prep	Mock exams, writing practice, listening comprehension
7-9	B1	Subjunctive, conditional, expressing opinions, longer texts

Good news for Francophones: Italian and French share Latin roots. As a French speaker, you already recognize many Italian words. Most Cameroonians find Italian easier to learn than German.

Preparation tips for Cameroonians

• Start with what you know. Many French words have Italian equivalents: information → informazione, restaurant → ristorante, situation → situazione.
• Practice pronunciation early. Italian pronunciation is regular once you learn the rules, you can read any word correctly.
• Focus on the passato prossimo. This past tense is the most tested grammar point at A2.
• Listen to Italian daily. Music, podcasts, or RAI News. Even passive listening helps your ear adjust.
• Use Linguafora mock exams. The app includes timed CELI-style mock exams that mirror the real test format.
• Don't skip writing practice. The writing section catches many test-takers off guard. Practice short emails and descriptions weekly.

With Linguafora: Choose Italian during onboarding. The app provides the same structured CEFR progression for Italian as it does for German A1 through B2, with spaced repetition, mock exams, and offline access.