Students from countries outside the European Union must obtain a student visa if they wish to study in Italy.
N.B. Obtaining a Visa and proceeding all documents for the residency permit once in Italy are a pre-requisite to be accepted in the Globalization Program.

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: http://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/servizi/italiani/rappresentanze/
To check if you need a Visa according to your nationality, check the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs website, Visa for Italy section: http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en#BMQuestionario

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. This letter must specify the dates of the program, and that the student will be provided with accommodation for the duration of the program.
N.B. This letter must be stamped and returned to you by the Italian Consulate/Embassy: it will be required for the residency permit application once in Italy (see below).
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Evidence of financial means.

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

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Residency Permit  (“permesso di soggiorno”)
Procedures in force since December 2006

Within 8 working days after arrival in Italy, a student who holds a study visa must apply for a Residency Permit (Permesso di soggiorno). VIU guarantees for your invitation and stay in Italy for the length of the semester, as it should correspond in your Visa.

1. Residency Permit application through Postal Kit

Students:
During orientation week, a meeting on residency permit is organized. During this meeting VIU staff provide information on the residency permit application, check students’ documents, provide the application kit and assist students in filling out the application.

The application kit is a white A4 envelope with a yellow stripe provided by the Italian Postal Service.
The kit contains:
Application form: “Mod. 209 Modulo 1”
Postal order for electronic permit

For completing the application, you also need:

_Mod. 209 Modulo 1 (provided with kit)

_Photocopy of ALL pages of passport, including blank pages and Visa

_Photocopy of certificate of acceptance (VIU invitation letter) 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 original document from you.

_Photocopy of INTERNATIONAL health coverage:
If you do not have coverage you can purchase an insurance in Italy. We can advise company WAI, purchased online for €71.00 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.

N.B. Only documents written in Italian or English are accepted: ask for an English copy of your health coverage if written in another language!
N.B. You’ll need to have an Italian mobile number at the time of application as communication on your residency permit are sent via text by the Immigration Office. VIU staff will give you instructions on how to get an Italian SIM and mobile number. The cost is between 10 and 15 euros according to the different providers.

Residency Permit Postal Kit costs:
- Stamp duty (marca da bollo): €16.00
- Electronic permit (Postal Order): €70,46
- Postal administration charge: €30.00
- Total costs: €116,46

Please note:
- A compulsory payment of € 100,46 is required at the post office when submitting the application kit forth issue of the electronic permit of stay. Fill out the postal order included in the application Kit, according to the sample order provided by your program coordinator.
- The marca da bollo (stamp duty) cannot be purchased in the post office. You can purchase it in a tobacconist store in advance. Tobacconists displaying the “Lotto” and “T” sign sell the Marca da Bollo. What to ask for: Vorrei una marca da bollo da sedici euro, per favore.
The Post Office does not accept Credit Cards – BRING CASH – EURO ONLY.
(There is an ATM at the post office).

Professors:
The application for residency permit is sent through postal kit right after your appointment at Prefecture of Venice, within 8 working days after arrival in Italy.

2. Appointment at the Immigration Police Office (Questura di Venezia)

Students and Professors:
While sending the application kit at the Post office, you will receive a receipt. The receipt is the proof that you applied for the residency permit as required by law and therefore that you are legally in the country.
As the issue of the permit itself requires some time the receipt is valid as residency permit until you get your permit.
You must keep the receipt and your passport with you at all times as in Italy Police can stop citizens for documents check at any time.
A copy of the receipt must be handed in to the Globalization Program office to prove that you accomplished program requirements as regards immigration procedures.
Together with the receipt you’ll receive a summons to present yourself at the Headquarter of the Immigration Police in Marghera (Questura di Venezia, Ufficio Immigrazione, via Nicolodi 21, 30175 Venezia) to complete the application procedure. The date of the appointment is issued automatically by the system and can’t be changed. There is usually a time for the appointment in the summons, but you don't have to take it into consideration. All people called on the same day must be at the office by 8.30am to take a number.
The Globalization Program office also keep a copy of this summons as absences due to the immigration procedures are justified. Students are invited to upload a scan copy of the receipt on their personal page.
At the Immigration Office you will be fingerprinted. During the appointment you must present your passport, the receipt of the residency permit application, the summons, the original of the documents submitted in the postal application kit and four passport-size pictures (all 4 photos must be identical).

3. Residency Pemit Pick-Up

Once your Residency Permit is ready, you’ll receive a text on your mobile indicating the day of the appointment for picking it up. The appointment is assigned automatically by the system and can’t be changed. On the stated day, you should go back to the Immigration Office in Marghera to pick up your permit bringing your passport, the receipt of the residency permit application, the summons of the first appointment.

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.