Italy Residence Permit for Study
Your study visa gets you into Italy. To stay for your course, you ask for a residence permit for study within 8 working days of arriving, with a post office kit (a paper form pack you get at the post office).
ItalyITALY RESIDENCE PERMIT
Type: Student
ID#: Example
ID: Example
Status: Student
Example: Master's degree
Example: University of Bologna
Your residence permit for study (permesso di soggiorno) lets you live in Italy while you study. It is a plastic card with your photo and fingerprints.
What the Residence Permit Is
The residence permit for study is the card that lets you stay in Italy for your course. It lasts up to one year and is renewed each year.
Visa or Residence Permit?
Issued by the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country
Lets you enter Italy
Valid for 365 days, with several entries, or 100 days if you must take an entry test in Italy
Issued by the Questura in Italy
Lets you live and study in Italy
Up to one year, renewed each year
Who Does What
You hand in the kit at a post office. The police headquarters (Questura) of the province where you live takes your fingerprints and gives the card.
Key Papers
Study visa (type D)
The sticker in your passport that lets you enter Italy. Type D is the national study visa.
Post office receipt
Proof you asked for your permit.
Enrolment certificate
From your university. You need it to renew.
Exam record
Shows the exams you passed. You need it to renew.
If You Leave Your Course
What You Must Do
Ask in time
Within 8 working days of arriving in Italy.
Keep health cover
Your permit is never longer than your health insurance, or your cover from Italy's National Health Service (SSN).
Pass your exams
At least 1 exam in your first year and 2 in each later year, to renew.
Renew early
At least 60 days before your permit ends.
Residence Permits for Students
Most students need three kinds of request: the first permit, a renewal each year, and a permit to look for work after the degree.
Key Dates
Study visa at home
India: up to 90 working days
Post office kit
Within 8 working days of arrival
Questura appointment
Date on your receipt
Collect your card
About 60 days on average
Request Types
Residence Permit for Study (First Request)
For students who just arrived on a national study visa (type D).
Key Requirements:
- Form 1 of the post office kit, filled in and signed
- Copy of your passport and visa
- Copy of your health insurance
- Proof of money to live in Italy
- A EUR 16 tax stamp (marca da bollo)
Renewal for the Next Year
For enrolled students who continue their course.
Key Requirements:
- The same papers as the first request, up to date
- Your enrolment certificate
- Proof you passed 1 exam (first renewal) or 2 exams (later renewals)
Permit to Look for Work
Students who finish a bachelor's, master's or PhD can change their study permit into a one-year permit to look for work.
Key Requirements:
- Register on the job seekers' list at the local job centre (Centro per l'Impiego)
- Forms 1 and 2 of the kit
- A copy of your passport
Your First Residence Permit
Study visa at home
Get your national study visa (type D) from the Italian embassy or consulate for your area.
Duration: India: up to 90 working days
Post office kit
Fill in the kit and hand it in at a post office. Keep the receipt.
Duration: Within 8 working days of arrival
Questura appointment
Go to the police headquarters (Questura) with photos for fingerprints.
Duration: Date on your receipt
Collect your card
You get a text message when the card is ready.
Duration: About 60 days on average
How to Apply
The first request and each renewal follow the same route: kit, post office, Questura, card.
Your First Permit
Get your study visa
You need it to enter Italy for your course.
A national study visa (type D) from the Italian embassy or consulate for your area.
Hand in the kit
You get a receipt and an appointment letter.
At a post office with a "Sportello Amico" desk. Pay EUR 30 and EUR 70.46.
Go to the Questura
The police headquarters checks your papers.
Bring your passport and photos. Give your fingerprints.
Collect your permit
About 60 days on average.
You get a text message when it is ready.
Renewing Your Permit
Get your papers
Ask your university for your enrolment certificate and exam record.
Fill in the kit
Use form 1 of the post office kit.
Post office
Hand it in at least 60 days before your permit ends.
Questura
Go on the date in your letter.
Collect
Bring your passport, the original receipt and your old permit.
After You Graduate
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence permit for study | Permit to look for work (attesa occupazione) | A finished bachelor's, master's or PhD, and registration at the job centre. | It lasts one year. You can change it to a work permit when you find a job. |
Papers for Your Residence Permit
Put copies of these papers in the post office kit. Bring the originals to the Questura.
Papers for Your First Permit
Form 1
From the post office kit, filled in and signed.
Passport and visa
A copy of your passport pages and your study visa.
Health insurance
A copy of your insurance, valid for the whole permit.
Money proof
Papers that show you have money to live in Italy.
Tax stamp
A EUR 16 tax stamp (marca da bollo), sold at tobacco shops.
Photos
Bring photos to your Questura appointment.
Papers for a Renewal
Same papers, up to date
Everything from your first request, updated.
Enrolment certificate
From your university.
Exam record
Proof of 1 exam passed for the first renewal and 2 for each one after.
After Your Degree
Permit to look for work
- Forms 1 and 2, filled in and signed
- A full copy of your passport
- Proof you registered at the job centre (Centro per l'Impiego)
How Long It Takes
You can check if your card is ready on the police website with the ID and password on your post office receipt.
Permit Steps
Kit
Fill in the post office kit.
Key Activities:
- Take the kit from a post office with a "Sportello Amico" desk.
- Add copies of your passport, visa, insurance and money proof.
Post office
Hand in the kit at the post office.
Key Activities:
- Pay EUR 30 for the post office service and EUR 70.46 for the card.
- Keep the receipt and the appointment letter.
Questura
Go to the police headquarters (Questura).
Key Activities:
- Bring photos.
- Give your fingerprints.
Card
Collect your card.
Key Activities:
- You get a text message with the day, time and place.
What Can Slow It Down
Missing papers
If a paper is missing, the immigration office stops your file until you hand it in.
Fingerprint appointment
The card is made only after your Questura appointment.
Typical Cases
Complex Cases
Keep Your Permit Valid
Your permit lasts up to one year, so plan your renewal and exams.
What to Do Each Year
Renew on time
Late renewals can cause problems with your permit.
Hand in the kit at least 60 days before your permit ends.
Pass your exams
Exams are checked at renewal.
1 exam for your first renewal, 2 for each one after.
Watch the work limit
Your permit allows part-time work.
Up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year.
Mistakes to Avoid
Plan Ahead
Most problems come from late renewals and missing papers.
Residence Permit Questions
Answers to what students from India and Pakistan ask about the residence permit for study (permesso di soggiorno).
Common Questions
Official Links
Polizia di Stato
The Italian police. Check if your permit is ready with the ID and password on your post office receipt.
Learn MoreTax code and city registration
Our guide to the tax code (codice fiscale) and the registry office (anagrafe).
Learn MoreNeed More Help?
Your university's international office helps with the kit. Some town halls and free help centres (patronati) help too.
Complete Guide to Italy
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Get Free ConsultationNeed help with your residence permit in Italy?
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