Generally the main differences in visa and entry procedures are related to researchers' citizenship, to the length and to the reason of their stay in Italy.
Applicants seeking entry visas for Specialization School Diploma, PhD, Masters degree and Postgraduate studies (with or without scholarship grants) do not fall within the scope of article 27-ter, Legislative Decree 286/98 (entry visa and residence permit for scientific research). These are all covered by the normal residence permit for study purposes.
Any researcher coming from any EU Member State or EEA country can be defined as “European”.
EU member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
EEA consists of the EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
Eu researchers are allowed to travel freely and stay either in Italy or in other European Union countries up to 90 days without any formalities. A valid ID or passport is required.
The owner of the hosting accommodation has to send the proper form called “comunicazione di ospitalità” correctly filled in by recorded delivery, fax, or personally to the Police Headquarters within 48 hours from the guest’s arrival.
Long term stays (> 90 days)
Researchers, who wish to stay in Italy longer than 90 days, have to be registered in the Schedario della Popolazione Temporanea (Temporary Residents Card Index) at the Ufficio Anagrafe (Registry Office) submitting specific documents, e.g.:
It is recommended to contact the Registry Office in advance:
Ufficio anagrafe - Comune di Padova
piazza dei signori, 23
tel. +39 049 8205771 - +39 049 8205781
fax +39 0498205740
e-mail registropopolazione@comune.padova.it
opening times: Mon - Fri 8:15 - 12:30; Tuesdays and Thursdays also 14.30 – 17.00
Authorization is essential in order to obtain a visa for scientific research (except for researchers already resident in Italy, and researchers admitted to other EU member States) and, thereafter, a residence permit for scientific research purposes.
Duration is 40 days from presentation of the application.
The procedure can be activated at any time, given that authorizations are issued independently of the quotas established under the flows decree.
NB: Under the acceptance agreement, the researcher undertakes to implement the research project, and the institute undertakes to accept the researcher. The research project must be approved by the governing bodies of the institute, which will evaluate the object of the research and check that the qualifications of the researcher, as specified in a certified copy of the relative degree, diploma etc., are appropriate to the subject matter, as well as verifying that funds are available for the project.
The agreement establishes the legal status and working conditions of the researcher, including the provision of a monthly living allowance (equivalent to at least twice the social allowance) and return travel expenses, also the requirement that both researcher and family members must be provided with insurance cover against sickness, or registered by the institute with the National Health Service.
If the authorization is denied, the agreement becomes void.
Requirements
Documentation
Procedure
Presenting the application
Once the documents have been presented, the SAOS Office can fill in the FR form applying for the authorization, which will be sent to the SUI (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione - Immigration Service) in electronic format.
The SUI will proceed to verify that the declarations in the application forwarded electronically correspond to those in the documentation presented by the applicant.
If the Police Headquarters Immigration department considers there is no impediment to the foreign applicant being allowed into Italy, the SUI issues the authorization and sends it electronically to the consular representatives abroad.
At this point the foreign researcher can apply to the competent Italian diplomatic/consular authority in his/her country of residence for an entry visa.
The entry visa for scientific research purposes can be requested by the foreign researcher up to 6 months following the date on which the authorization was issued, and is given priority over other types of visa.
N.B.: A researcher already legally resident in Italy for a different purpose, other than political asylum or temporary protection, does not require a visa, and does not have to show certification of current residence abroad in order to secure the authorization.
This is a requirement for non-EU or stateless persons coming directly from countries that are not signatories to the Schengen agreement, and intending to stay in Italy for a period no longer than three months for visiting, business, tourism and study purposes.
For stays of up to 3 months, the authorization is replaced by a communication to be addressed to the SUI (Immigration Service) using the appropriate electronic form (Form FC), having first registered on the applications forwarding service site, which is reachable from the Ministry of the Interior website. On receiving the communication, the SUI will contact and ask the researcher to provide a certified copy of the acceptance agreement concluded abroad (allowing the research to be conducted in Italy and confirming that funds are available), together with the health insurance policy and the declaration issued by the institute at which the research activity in Italy will be based.
A short stay declaration do not allow the visitor to work while in the country. The visitor can stay in Italy only for visiting, tourism and short term study purposes, or to manage business affairs.
A declaration of presence cannot be converted to a residence permit for salaried or self employment activities.
Procedure
1. Presenting the application.
At the moment of entering Italy, the foreign citizen makes a declaration of presence to the nearest Border Authority.
2. Collecting the permit
Confirmation that the declaration of presence obligation has been met is provided by the border police, who will apply the Schengen entry stamp to the visitor’s travel document.
The countries actively implementing the Schengen agreement are: Italy, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria and Greece; these states have eliminated land, air and sea border controls.
Sweden, Denmark and Finland have also been members since 1 March 2001. A further enlargement of 21 December 2007 saw the addition of Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Slovakia.
Norway and Iceland have the status of "associate" countries.
This is a requirement for non-EU or stateless persons coming directly from countries that are signatories to the Schengen agreement, and intending to stay in Italy for a period no longer than three months for visiting, business, tourism and study purposes.
Non Eu-researchers allowed to stay in Italy for less than 90 days for study, tourism, business or visits reasons, do not need to apply for a residence permit. But, if they travel from a Schengen state, they have to register their presence within 8 days after their arrival in Italy at the Questura (Police Headquarters) by submitting the form “Dichiarazione di Presenza” (Declaration of Presence). For researches staying in a hotel, evidence of their presence is the registration form submitted to the hotel management and signed by the foreign guests on arrival. The hotel will provide a copy of this form to the foreign guest who can show it to police officers, if requested.
If they travel from a Non-Schengen State, they do not need to report their presence at the local police headquarter, since the stamp that the border authorities put on their passports already attest their presence.
This is required where persons need to stay in Italy for family reasons.
The permit is issued to a foreign national in possession of a valid residence permit, within 1 year of expiry, who has a spouse or family members in Italy, EU or non-EU, meeting the criteria for family reunification.
The duration of a residence permit issued for family reasons is the same as for a residence permit held by a foreign family member meeting the criteria for reunification, and the two are renewable together.
It allows the holder to take up salaried employment or self-employment (provided that the individual is not under the legal working age), to register with an employment exchange, and to enrol for study and professional training courses.
Holders of a residence permit issued for family reasons are bound to register with the National Health Service; they are treated equally and have exactly the same rights and obligations as Italian citizens in terms of contributions, and of the care delivered by the National Health Service in Italy and the period of cover.
In the event of the death of a family member meeting the criteria for reunification, and in the event of legal separation or divorce or, in the case of children unable to stay in Italy for an extended period, on reaching eighteen years of age, a residence permit issued for family reasons can be converted to a residence permit for salaried employment, self-employment or study purposes, provided that the individual is not under the legal working age.
Activation
The application should be made within 1 year of the expiry of the family member's tourist visa. In the case of countries with no tourist visa, the term lapses after one year following the expiry of 90 days from the date of entry into Italy.
N.B. It is advisable in any event to activate the procedure before the expiry of the tourist visa.
Duration: at least 6 weeks from the date of sending the application.
Requirements
Requirements for foreign family member already in Italy
N.B.:
Documentation required
Procedure
Procuring the forms
The forms, contained in a special kit, are available from all Post Offices. The forms must be completed using block capitals and in black ink, writing strictly within the spaces indicated.
If help is required with filling in the forms, the student can request assistance free of charge from the SAOS (Servizio Accoglienza Ospiti Stranieri – Foreign Guests Acceptance Service) at Palazzo del Bo, via VIII Febbraio 1848, n° 2.
Presenting the application
The forms must be placed in an unsealed envelope and presented by the applicant at an authorized Post Office.
Foreign nationals must show a passport or other equivalent document for identification purposes, when presenting the application at the post office counter.
The post office counter clerk will give the applicant:
Photographic identification
The day of the visit to Police Headquarters (first interview), the student must bring the following documents:
Collecting the permit
Having checked on the Polizia di Stato website that the permit is ready, the student must go to the SAOS office to set a date for a second interview at Police Headquarters, when the permit can be collected.
To arrange the second interview, the student must bring the following documents to the SAOS:
N.B. The electronic residence permit will be issued by Police Headquarters no earlier than 4 weeks after the date of the interview, provided that all statutory requirements and conditions have been met. In any event, the residence permit is issued for a duration corresponding to the period for which healthcare cover is provided, and under no circumstances longer than 1 year. To remain in Italy thereafter, students must make certain to renew their residence permit in plenty of time, presenting the application for renewal at least 2 months before the current permit expires.
Costs
Authorization is essential in order to obtain a visa for family reunification and subsequently a residence permit issued for family reasons.
Activation: at any time
Duration: about 180 days from presentation of the application.
Requirements for foreign nationals seeking reunification
1. possession of EC residence permit for long-term stay or current residence permit of not less than 1 year's duration for salaried employment, self-employment, asylum, subsidiary protection, humanitarian reasons (pending conversion to a subsidiary protection permit), study, religious and family reasons, or possession of a residence permit for scientific research irrespective of duration;
2. receipt of gross annual income, already earned or presumed, deriving from legitimate sources, not less than:
N.B.:
3. availability of accommodation responding to health and hygiene requirements and acceptable living standards, as verified by the competent municipal authorities.
Family members eligible for reunification
Documentation
General documentation indicated by the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authority in the country of residence, to be presented at the first interview with the SUI (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione - Immigration Service).
Documentation regarding accommodation (to be presented at the first interview with the SUI).
N.B.: in the case of family reunification in favour only of a minor under the age of 14 the municipal certificate can be replaced by: a declaration of hospitality (original) signed by the owner of the property (Form S1) and 1 copy of the rental/free loan/ownership agreement for a duration of not less than 6 months with effect from the date indicated in Form S1.
Documentation regarding employment/income, to be presented at the first interview with the SUI (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione - Immigration Service).
N.B.: When determining income, account must also be taken of any dependent family members reunited previously, and of children born in Italy who are already named in the residence permit. Accordingly, where the applicant has already secured authorizations previously, the "previous reunifications declaration" must be attached to the application, together with a copy of the family members’ residence permit.
Declaration by the work provider, indicating the current employer-employee relationship (Form S3, original, signed with all parts filled in), and accompanied by:
1 photocopy of the notice of recruitment sent to the Provincial Employment Centre;
1 photocopy of the last pay packet;
1 photocopy of the applicant’s most recent CUD (Certificato Unico Dipendente) or, if the employment contract is less than 1 year old and the applicant therefore has still made no tax return, the declaration by the work provider must also contain an indication of the presumed income of the employee, using Form S3bis rather than form S3;
1 photocopy of the identity document of the work provider or, if the work provider is a foreign national, a copy of the current residence permit, and if the permit has lapsed, of the receipt confirming renewal.
1 photocopy of the most recent tax return (modello Unico) with receipt of filing on-line; if the activity is less than one year old, a statement (original) relating to the entire period, drawn up and signed by the applicant’s accountant;
certificate of registration with the Chamber of Commerce or downloaded extract of entry in the Chamber of Commerce register, and 1 photocopy of municipal licence where required;
1 photocopy of VAT registration certificate.
Documentation certifying family relations
Once authorization for family reunification has been secured, through the SUI, certification demonstrating family relations, matrimony, age of minors and any other record of civil status, translated and legalized, must be presented by the family members (for whom authorization has been secured) to the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authority in the country of origin, at the moment of applying for a visa to enter Italy.
Procedure
Presenting the application
For help with presentation of the application to the SUI (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione - Immigration Service), the applicant can seek assistance from accredited municipal offices, national employers’ associations, trade union organizations and accredited non-profit agencies.
Collecting the permit
Having received the application, the competent SUI will contact and ask the applicant to appear for the purposes of presenting and authenticating the documentation relative to the availability of the required accommodation and minimum income.
The SUI issues a receipt for the application and the documentation presented.
Having verified whether or not the criteria are met, the SUI will issue or deny the authorization no later than 180 days after the application is received, informing the consular authority accordingly.
Having secured the authorization, the family member for whom reunification has been requested must apply to the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authority in the country of residence for a visa to enter Italy, producing the documentation in which family relations are certified.
The authorization can be used for up to 6 months from the date of issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When presenting the suitability of accommodation certificate issued by the municipal authorities, is the original document required?
Yes.
2. Who issues the suitability of accommodation certificate?
This must be requested by the applicant from the municipal authority for the area in which the dwelling is situated.
3. What document must be produced to show that a rental agreement has been tacitly renewed?
A copy of Form F23 certifying payment of the annual renewal fee to the Registry Office.
4. What information must be presented when declaring the joint income of a co-habiting family member?
Co-habiting family members must indicate their income by providing documentation of salaried or self-employed activity.
5. Where must documentation certifying family relations be presented?
At the moment of applying for a visa to enter Italy, the family member for whom authorization has been requested and secured must present certifications demonstrating family relations, matrimony, age of minors and any other record of civil status, duly translated and legalized, to the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authority in the country of origin.
6. What happens when the required certification is not available, due to problems connected with the competent foreign authority, or is not sufficiently reliable?
The diplomatic service in (or having jurisdiction in) the country of origin of the family members will issue the documentation on the basis of DNA tests carried out at the expense of the interested parties.
7. How can the state of health of dependent adult offspring be documented?
Through certification issued, at the expense of the applicant, by a doctor appointed through the competent Italian diplomatic-consular service in the country of origin of the family members for whom reunification has been requested.
8. How is the authorization issued?
Having checked that the documentation is complete and in order, the SUI (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione - Immigration Service) will contact and ask the applicant to appear, bringing a revenue stamp for € 14.62. The applicant will also be handed a written communication with the telephone number of the SUI to contact for the subsequent interview of the family member at the same office in order to arrange a residence permit, within 8 days of entering Italy.
9. For how long does the authorization remain valid?
The authorization can be used for up to 6 months from the date of issue.
10. Can the authorization be collected by a person other than the applicant?
Yes. A note of instruction is required, together with copies of the identity documents of the applicant and of the person deputizing.
11. Having secured the authorization, what does the foreign applicant do next?
The document must be sent to the country of origin of the family member, who will then approach the Italian diplomatic or consular service to request the reunification entry visa and present the documentation certifying family relations.
12. Where must the application for a family reunification entry visa be presented?
To the Italian diplomatic or consular services in the foreign applicant’s country of origin or long-term residence.
13. What details must be included in the application for an entry visa, and what documents must be attached?
The application must contain all general details of the family member seeking reunification, together with details of his/her passport or other recognized equivalent travel document (travel document for stateless persons, travel document for refugees, travel pass for foreign nationals unable to obtain a valid travel document from the Authority of their own country, United Nations laissez passer or individual document issued by a NATO Headquarters). The application must be accompanied by the passport or other recognized equivalent travel document, the reunification authorization, and the documentation certifying family relations.
14. When and how is the entry visa delivered?
No later than 30 days following presentation of the application.
15. Are other documents provided by the diplomatic or consular services when issuing the entry visa?
Yes, a communication written in a language understood by the visa applicant, or alternatively in English, French, Spanish or Arabic, explaining the rights and duties of the individual concerning entry and residence in Italy, and the obligation to apply to the SUI (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione - Immigration Service) for a residence permit no later than 8 days after entering the country.
16. Who must the diplomatic or consular authorities inform that the visa has been issued to the applicant?
Advice is sent to the SUI, electronically.
17. What is the duty of a person or persons acting as host to a foreign national who enters Italy with a family reunification visa?
Send a written communication, within 48 hours, to the local police authority, stating that the foreign or stateless visitor has been given lodging or hospitality or acquired the ownership of real estate, rural or urban, even if the visitor is a relative by blood or affinity. The communication must include general details of the writer and of the foreign national or stateless visitor, the details of the visitor's passport or identity document, the exact location of the property acquired by the visitor, or in which the visitor is housed or accommodated as a guest, and the reason for the communication. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of between € 160 and € 1,100.
18. By whom and how is the foreign national informed that he/she has been denied an entry visa?
By the diplomatic or consular authorities in a written and reasoned statement, handed to the applicant in person, indicating the procedure for a possible appeal, for example when there are documented convictions of first instance, not least in application of the penalty prescribed by article 444 of the Italian Code of Criminal Procedure, for offences under article 380, paras 1 and 2 of the Italian Code of Criminal Procedure, namely offences concerning drugs, sexual licence, smuggling of illegal migrants into Italy and from Italy to other countries, or for offences concerning the recruitment of persons to be forced into prostitution or the exploitation of prostitution or of minors to be employed in unlawful activities. If the foreign national does not understand the Italian language, the statement is accompanied by a translation in a language he or she is able to understand, or at all events in English, French, Spanish or Arabic according to preferences expressed by the recipient.
19. What must a foreign national do on arrival in Italy with a family reunification visa?
Within 8 days after entering the country, contact the SUI to collect the certificate confirming allocation of a tax code number, and to fill in and sign the form requesting a residence permit for reasons of family reunification; thereafter, a communication will be sent, indicating the time and date established for an interview at Police Headquarters (Immigration desk) for the purposes of photographic identification and fingerprinting, whereupon the residence permit for reasons of family reunification will be issued (or denied).
20. Can foreign nationals with no income apply for a family reunification authorization?
Yes. If an applicant has no income of his/her own, the income of a spouse or of co-habiting family members can be taken into consideration, provided it is sufficient.
21. What identity documents are admissible as alternatives to a passport?
Documents having the same validity as a passport include:
- stateless person’s travel document;
- refugee’s travel document;
- travel pass for foreign nationals (unable to obtain a valid travel document from the Authorities in their own country);
- United Nations laissez passer;
- individual document issued by a NATO Headquarters to military personnel serving with NATO forces;
- seaman's book, issued to seafarers for professional purposes;
- air navigation document;
- identity card allowing foreign travel, for citizens of a European Union state;
- identity card and other documents of citizens in States that are party to the “European Agreement on the Abolition of Passports" (signed in Paris 13/12/1957).
22. Having secured the authorization, what does the foreign family member do next?
Approach the Italian diplomatic or consular representative to present the application for issue of an entry visa, together with documentation received from the applicant family member and documentation certifying the family relationship.
This is needed in order to stay in Italy for family reasons following the issue of an authorization for family reunification or an authorization for accompanying family member.
The duration of a residence permit issued for family reasons is the same as for a residence permit held by a foreign family member meeting the criteria for reunification, and the two are renewable together. It can be renewed. It can be converted to an elective residence permit for foreign nationals having a pension entitlement in Italy.
In the event of the death of a family member meeting the criteria for reunification, and in the event of legal separation or divorce, a residence permit issued for family reasons can be converted to a residence permit for salaried employment, self-employment or study purposes.
In the event of the death of a family member, or of legal separation or divorce, it can be converted to a residence permit for salaried employment, self-employment or study purposes, provided that the individual is not under the legal working age
The residence permit allows the holder to take up salaried employment or self-employment (provided that the individual is not under the legal working age), even without the document being converted or amended. It also allows the holder to enrol for study or professional training courses.
Holders of a residence permit issued for family reasons are bound to register with the National Health Service; they are treated equally and have exactly the same rights and obligations as Italian citizens in terms of contributions, and of the care delivered by the National Health Service in Italy and the period of cover.
NB: A person or persons acting as host to a foreign national who enters Italy with a family reunification visa must send a written communication, within 48 hours, to the local police authority, stating that the foreign or stateless visitor has been given lodging or hospitality or acquired the ownership of real estate, rural or urban, even if the visitor is a relative by blood or affinity. The communication must include general details of the writer and of the foreign national or stateless visitor, the details of the visitor's passport or identity document, the exact location of the property acquired by the visitor, or in which the visitor is housed or accommodated as a guest, and the reason for the communication. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of between € 160 and € 1,100.
Activation: within 8 days of entering Italy
Duration: at least 6 weeks from the date of sending the application.
Requirements: arrival in Italy with an entry visa for family reunification.
Required documentation
Procedure
Procuring the forms
The foreign applicant must contact the Prefecture of Padua for the purpose of filling in the forms. To this end, an appointment will be fixed by SAOS (Servizio Accoglienza Ospiti Stranieri – Foreign Guests Acceptance Service) at Palazzo del Bo, via VIII Febbraio 1848, n°2.
Presenting the application
The application filled in at the Prefecture and the documents indicated must be placed in an unsealed envelope and presented by the applicant at an authorized Post Offices.
Foreign nationals must show a passport or other equivalent document for identification purposes, when presenting the application at the post office counter. The post office counter clerk will give the applicant:
Photographic identification
The day of the visit to Police Headquarters (first interview), the student must bring the following documents:
Collecting the permit
Having checked on the Polizia di Stato website that the permit is ready, the student must go to the SAOS office to set a date for a second interview at Police Headquarters (Immigration desk), when the permit can be collected. To arrange the second interview, the student must bring the following documents to the SAOS:
To collect the residence permit, the student must bring the following documents to Police Headquarters (Immigration desk):
N.B. The electronic residence permit will be issued by Police Headquarters no earlier than 4 weeks after the date of the interview, provided that all statutory requirements and conditions have been met. In any event, the residence permit is issued for a duration corresponding to the period for which healthcare cover is provided, and under no circumstances longer than 1 year. To remain in Italy thereafter, students must make certain to renew their residence permit in plenty of time, presenting the application for renewal at least 2 months before the current permit expires.
Costs
