Procedure for the admission of third-country nationals for scientific research
Information on entry into and residence in Italy for researchers from third countries admitted as visiting researchers, visiting professors, fixed-term researchers, researchers on research grants or research training scholarships, including those funded by foreign institutions. The following procedures apply in all cases where research or scientific collaboration is the primary activity. To identify the applicable procedure, depending on the duration or type of stay, please refer to the Guidelines for admission from third countries for the purposes of scientific research.(in Italian)
Short-term stays (less than 90 days)
If you are planning a short-term stay, please check whether you require an entry visa. If so, the researcher must apply to the Italian consular office with jurisdiction over the relevant territory. The university will be required to provide a letter of invitation and/or a hosting agreement on the department's letterhead, and send a copy by email to the relevant consulate. For the hosting agreement template, please use VB.All.1_Hosting_Agreement_Visiting_Professor; for the letter of invitation template, please use the attached facsimile. VS ALL 1: Instructions for applying for a study visa.
At the end of the 90 days, the researcher must return to their country of origin, as it is not possible to apply for a residence permit or extend the duration of the visit whilst in the country, unless an application is submitted on the grounds of serious and demonstrable reasons.
Long-term stays (over 90 days)
Stays for which no contractual agreement with Sapienza is required
In cases where no contractual relationship with Sapienza is envisaged (e.g. the researcher is funded by a grant from a foreign institution that does not require a contract, a long-term visit by a lecturer on sabbatical leave, or the visit by the lecturer/researcher is funded by their home institution with which they maintain a formal relationship), it is possible to apply for a Study Visa for Higher Education or Research. For guidance on the procedure, please consult the Guidelines and instructions in the annexes (see Annex 1: Instructions for applying for a Study Visa and Annex 2: Interministerial Decree 850). The researcher will then apply for a residence permit for study purposes via the postal application pack.
Stays involving a contractual relationship with Sapienza
Where a contractual relationship with Sapienza is involved, the researcher must apply for a Scientific Research visa pursuant to Article 27-ter of Legislative Decree 286/98, as amended and supplemented. The signing of a hosting agreement between the host institution and the researcher is a prerequisite for applying for authorisation for scientific research. The agreement establishes the legal relationship and the researcher’s working conditions, the monthly resources made available to them (equivalent to at least double the social allowance), the costs of the return journey, the taking out of a health insurance policy for the researcher and their family members, or the obligation for the institution to ensure their registration with the National Health Service. In the case of Sapienza, host agreements may be entered into by the Heads of Department subject to express authorisation from the Rector (VR.All.2_Host Agreement Authorisation Request Form).
Please read the Italian version of this page for further instructions
PLEASE NOTE: The processing time for visa applications for scientific research purposes varies and depends on a number of factors. We strongly recommend that you initiate the application process at least three months before the non-EU researcher’s expected arrival date, although a shorter period (even less than two months) may be sufficient.
Tax Identification Numbers (Codici Fiscali)
For long-term stays, a provisional Codice fiscale is issued directly by the SUI once the initial entry procedures have been completed. In other cases, should it be necessary to issue a Codice fiscale, departments may submit a reasoned request on behalf of the researcher/professor; for this purpose, please read CF_Instructions and cover letter and CF_Application for
