Visas and permits required for studying in Italy

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Information for students from countries outside the European Union

VISA
Students from countries outside the European Union must obtain a student visa if they wish to study in Italy. Visas are issued by Italian embassies and consulates in the student’s country of origin. For a list of embassies and consulates visit the web site of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs at: www.esteri.it/eng/2_11_6.asp

All applications for student visas require the following documents:

	A valid passport – it should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the validity date of the visa requested. The passport must have a blank page available for the visa to be affixed.
	Visa request form, available from competent embassy or consulate.
	One passport photograph.
	Original letter of acceptance from VIU (consulates in the US usually accept letter from Duke University for undergraduates. The Boston Consulate requires a letter from VIU). This letter must specify the dates of the program, and that the student will be provided with accommodation for the duration of the program. Important Note: make sure that the Embassy/Consulate returns this to you when you collect your visa. It is required for the residency permit (see below).
	Evidence of financial means.
	Proof of health insurance coverage.

Note: always bring photocopies of all of your documentation. The consular office may ask for any additional documentation at its discretion.

RESIDENCY PERMIT (“PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO”)

New procedures in force from December 2006

According to Italian law, during your stay in Italy you will need to apply for a “Permesso di soggiorno”, a residency permit.

Within 8 working days a student who holds a study visa must apply for a Residency Permit (Permesso di soggiorno)

As of December 2006 all applications must be made through the Post Office.

VIU students are advised to go to the San Marco branch behind Piazza San Marco to send the application (Monday – Friday 8.30 – 13.00). The Central Post Office at Rialto DOES NOT process Residency Permit applications.

The Post Office provides a kit which includes the application form and information on the documents that need to be enclosed with the application. Unfortunately all the information is in Italian, so the following is a summary of the documents students will need for the application. VIU students may request a kit from the coordinator of their program.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
In order to apply for a permit of stay you will need:

	Mod. 209 Modulo 1 (provided with kit)
	Photocopy of ALL pages of passport, including blank pages
	Photocopy of certificate of acceptance with official stamp of embassy/consulate that issued visa. -Some consulates staple this to the back cover of the passport. -If the Visa office did not return this letter to you, request that they send you a copy. -Make sure that officers at immigration control do not take this from you.
	Photocopy of INTERNATIONAL health coverage: -If you do not have coverage you can purchase insurance in Italy for €49.00 for the duration of six months (ask your program coordinator for information). -If you have coverage from your country of origin, you must have valid documentation with you that specifies that your policy includes coverage in Italy, and includes the dates of coverage which must cover the duration of your expected stay in Italy. -If you are covered by a family policy, you must have a certificate from the insurance company that specifies that you are covered.

	Costs:
	Stamp duty (marca da bollo):				€14.62
	Electronic permit:				€27.00
	Administration charge:				€30.00
	Total:				€71.62

	Please note:
	The marca da bollo (stamp duty) can not be purchased in the post office. You can purchase it in a tobacconist store in advance. Tobacconists displaying the “Lotto” sign sell the Marca da Bollo. What to ask for: Vorrei una marca da bollo da quattordici e sessantadue per favore
	The Post Office does not accept Credit Cards – BRING CASH – EURO ONLY. (There is an ATM at the post office).
	All documentation should be in Italian or English

You will receive a receipt from the Post Office. You must keep the receipt and your passport with you at all times. You will receive an order by registered letter to present yourself at the Immigration Office of the Police Headquarters in Marghera, Venice to receive your permit. You will be fingerprinted, and will be required to present your original passport and four passport-size photos (all 4 photos must be identical).

Guidelines for filling out Residency Permit application form:

The application kit is a white A4 envelope with a yellow stripe.
If you have not already received one, ask your program coordinator.
The kit contains the following:

	Postal order for electronic permit
	Application form: Mod. 209 Modulo 1
	Application form: Mod. 209 Modulo 2
	Information sheet (Informativa generale)
	Instructions booklet (Foglio note – Per la compilazione del modulo “Mod. 209 – Moedelli 1 e 2)
	Booklet of tables and codes

You will only need the first two items on this list.

The postal order
A compulsory payment of €27.00 is required for the electronic permit. Fill out the postal order according to the sample order provided by your program coordinator.

The application form:

Write in CAPITAL LETTERS using a black pen only.

Make sure that you write carefully and clearly inside the boxes.

All dates are in day/month/year format.

Translations of each section have been provided on the sample application form.

Boxes or areas that you should leave blank have been shaded in or crossed out on the sample form

On the sample application form some complex areas are marked with an *. Please see the list below for indications on how to fill out these areas.

Explanations of complex areas
(numbers correspond to areas on form “Mod. 209 Modulo 1”) indicated on sample form with an *:

25. Total number of pages in application, including all photocopies

27. In accordance with Italian Law DPR 28 December 2000, false or mendacious declarations are punishable under the criminal law code and under immigration laws in force.

28. Date in which you present your application for Residency Permit in the Post Office

29. Signature should be legible. Chinese and Japanese characters should NOT be used.

31. Civil Status: A = unmarried B = married

35. Country of Birth code
Israel = ISR
Japan = JPN
USA = USA
For other countries see table no. 3 (tabella allegata no. 3)

36. Country of Citizenship code – see table no. 3 (tabella allegata no. 3)
Israel = ISR
Japan = JPN
USA = USA
For other countries see table no. 3 (tabella allegata no. 3)

47. Visa data – check the visa in your passport for numbers and codes in this section.

49. Frontier where you entered Italy
If you arrived in Venice, Marco Polo airport write: TESSERA
If you arrived in Milan, Malpensa airport write: MALPENSA
If you arrived in Rome, Leonardo da Vinci airport write: FIUMICINO
If you arrived by train from Germany write: TARVISIO
If you arrived by train from Paris write: VENTIMIGLIA
For any other entry points, please ask your program coordinator for assistance

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The information on this page is provided by VIU however VIU is not responsible for any changes in the Italian law and each student is expected to make sure that all of his/her papers are in order.

Last modified 2007-02-08 12:13
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