Permesso di Soggiorno for Study Purposes

What is a study permesso di soggiorno?

A study permesso di soggiorno is issued to non-EU citizens entering Italy for study, training, or internships. It can be requested by people attending:

• University programs (Bachelor’s, master’s. doctorate);
• Higher education programs in art and music;
• Recognized professional or training courses;
• International exchange or mobility programs, including those for non-EU citizens.

Before coming to Italy to study, you need to choose your desired course of study and where you will be studying, for example, which university and city you will study at. When making your decision, remember to also consider other aspects of your future university life, like the cost of living, which  varies from city to city, and tuition fees, especially if they are a private institution. In Italy, private universities are much more expensive than public universities run by the state. 

How to obtain a study visa?

Once you’ve chosen your course of study, you will need to pre-register on Universitaly, a portal run by the Ministry of University and Research, where you will find information on how to enroll in degree programs in Italy. On the portal, you will need to upload some documents and provide the information needed for your university admission process. 

Attention! If your chosen program has limited enrollment, you will also need to register for the entrance test. Also check the test procedures carefully, as they may be in person. If the test is in-person, remember that you are not allowed to come to Italy solely to take the entrance test. 

After completing your pre-registration on the Universitaly site, the university or training institution will be able to admit you to the program. Once you are admitted to the program, you can go to your embassy or consulate and apply for an entry visa. You will then need to follow the enrollment instructions provided by the admitted university.

An important aspect for embassies is the recognition of your qualifications. Before you grant a study visa, some embassies and universities require a declaration of value, which is a document issued by the diplomatic mission that recognizes your qualification. In some other cases, a statement of comparability is also sufficient.  The statement of comparability is a document issued online by CIMEA – the Information Center on Academic Equivalences and Mobility, the Italian body that evaluates foreign qualifications.

Embassies, consulates, and universities may require different information and documents, so make sure you always check the relevant embassy and the university/education institution website to understand exactly what documents are required. 

How to apply for a permesso di soggiorno for study purposes?

Once you arrive in Italy you will have a total of 8 days to submit your application for a study permesso di soggiorno at the Poste Italiane. You will need to:

• Complete the postal kit Form 1 and include photocopies (never original copies!) of the documents listened in the envelope;
• Bring a €16.00 revenue stamp (marca da bollo) and remember to pay a €70.46 postal payment slip . 
• Pay €30.00 for registered mail to ship the kit. 

After you send the kit, you will receive a receipt. There are several options for the appointment date at the police station: you can have the appointment sent directly to the Poste Italiane, you can have it sent by registered post to the address you entered in the kit, or you can receive a text message. 

Attention! The Police Headquarters (Questura) processing times can sometimes be very slow; until you obtain your permesso, the receipt is the document that counts as your permesso di soggiorno. Remember that even the certified receipt has an expiration date!

Also remember that as soon as you arrive you will need to request a codice fiscale (tax code), which may be temporary. Some universities and training institutions will request it for you before your arrival, so contact your course office for more information. 

Duration and renewal of the permesso di soggiorno for study purposes:

The study permesso di soggiorno lasts for a maximum of 12 months and can be renewed until the completion of your studies. Remember that you can renew your permesso 30 days before it expires and up to 60 days after the expiration of your previous permesso di soggiorno. 

What can I do with a study permesso di soggiorno?

The study permesso does not cover the Italian National Health Service (SSN). If you would like to obtain one, you will need to pay €7000.00 for each calendar year; otherwise, you can apply for private insurance.

With a study permesso, you can also work up to 20 hours per week for a maximum of 1,040 hours per year

The permesso di soggiorno also allows you to complete family reunification (ricongiungimento familiare) and travel within Schengen countries for up to three months.

Converting the Permesso di Soggiorno

If you wish to remain in Italy after completing your studies, you can apply to convert your permesso to a permesso di soggiorno awaiting employment (attesa occupazione). This permesso can also be requested once and is valid for a maximum of 12 months. 

If you have found a work contract that exceeds 20 hours per week, you can convert your permesso di soggiorno from study to work. There are certain conditions and the application is submitted online at the Sportello Unico Immigrazione Ministry of the interiors Immigration Help Desk and is initially processed by the relevant prefecture.