Italy has a strong emphasis on higher education and a relatively high proportion of individuals pursuing post-secondary studies. According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
, Italy has one of the highest tertiary education enrollment rates among OECD countries. In 2019, the gross enrollment rate for tertiary education in Italy was 77%, surpassing the OECD average of 44%. So are you an international (non-EU) student pursuing higher education in Italy, and is your residence permit nearing its expiration date? If you hope to extend your stay in Italy, then find out all that is needed to renew your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno).
But if you are applying for an Italian student residence permit for the first time, read this guide
with all the detailed information.
When should I apply for the residence permit renewal?
You must begin the procedure to renew the residence permit two months i.e., 60 days before the expiry date. The expiry date is indicated on the residence permit. The Italian student residence permit is granted for one year and usually follows the dates of your health insurance.
How do I apply for residence permit renewal?
The process to renew the Permesso di Soggiorno or the residence permit is similar to when requesting for the first time albeit with some minor changes.
- To initiate the process of renewing your Italian student residence permit, you must submit a package consisting of your personal information and the necessary documents. This package, commonly referred to as a “kit”, includes application forms and step-by-step instructions to assist you in completing them. The kit can be obtained at designated post offices displaying the Sportello Amico sign and is available at no charge.
- As part of the submission process, the kit requires specific documents to be submitted alongside the completed forms. Here are the required documents for residence permit renewal,
- Copy of Passport with personal data page and visa
- Copy of current residence permit
- Copy of transcript of exams passed (at least one exam for the first year and at least two exams for subsequent years)
- Copy of health insurance policy
- Copy of documents proving sufficient financial resources for the duration of stay
- Copy of document detailing your accommodation in Italy
- A 16€ duty stamp (Marca do Bollo) which can be bought at the Tobacconist’s shop (Tabacchi)
- Submit the kit and accompanying documents at the designated post office displaying the Sportello Amico sign. Place the documents in the provided envelope without sealing them, as the officer inspects them before mailing. Remember to bring your passport as a form of identification.
- Pay the necessary fee at the post office and here is the cost breakdown,
- 30€ for kit submission
- 30.46€ for the electronic residence permit
- 40€ administrative tax
- Upon submitting your residence permit application, make sure to obtain the receipt and a document with the appointment details.
- The receipt must be kept safely as it serves as a temporary equivalent to the actual residence permit until you receive the official document. The receipt must also be produced when collecting the original permit.
- The additional document with the receipt contains the date, time, and address of the appointment at the Police Station (Questura).
- Go to the Police Station (Questura) at the designated appointment time and take the following documents,
- Passport
- Residence Permit
- Original copies of the documents submitted in the kit
- 4 passport-size photos
- Receipt of the residence permit application
- Document indicating the appointment at the Police Station
- Upon the successful completion of your appointment at the Police Station, you can track the status of your residence permit application online. The State Police website or the Immigration Portal can be checked. Log in using the user and password details provided on the application receipt. This will allow you to stay updated on the progress of your application.
- Collect your residence permit from the Police Station, usually where you attended your appointment. Typically, you will be notified of the availability of the residence permit via SMS, using the phone number provided in the application form. Carry the following documents when collecting the residence permit,
- Passport
- Current Residence Permit (Expiring/Expired)
- Receipt of the residence permit application
Conclusion
On the whole, these are the steps you need to be taking when renewing the student residence permit. The renewal of Permesso di Soggiorno is straightforward if you have already gone through the process when applying for it the first time. Just be aware of the different sets of documents that need to be presented at the time of renewal as opposed to the first application.
If all goes smoothly it takes 1-2 months from your appointment date to obtain the residence permit. Always coordinate with your university officials for any guidance during the process.
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