Within 8 days of your arrival in Italy, you must go to any Poste Italiane office (look for the "Sportello Amico" sign) to request the application kit (the "yellow kit") for your first Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno).

The kit must include:

• Form 1 (filled in and signed).
• A photocopy of your valid passport and study visa.
• Photocopy of health insurance valid for the entire duration of the permit.
• Documents proving financial means (means of livelihood) in Italy.
• A €16.00 duty stamp (Marca da bollo), to be purchased at a tobacco shop (Tabaccheria).

You must apply for renewal at least two months before the expiry date of your current permit at a Post Office.

Required documents for renewal:

• All documents listed for the first issue (updated).
• University enrolment certificate (issued by Sapienza).
• Academic progress: A certificate proving you have passed at least one exam for the first renewal, and at least two exams for subsequent renewals (except in documented cases of force majeure).

• Work: The study permit allows part-time work for a maximum of 20 hours per week (annual limit: 1,040 hours).
• Validity: The study permit may only be renewed if the entry visa was issued for a multi-year degree programme.
• Duration: Renewal cannot exceed three years beyond the legal duration of your degree programme.
• Course Changes: You may not use or renew a study permit for a course other than the one for which the visa was issued, except for authorized transfers to other faculties or progression to higher-level university courses. To apply for these transfer/changes you need to have been regularly resident in Italy and to have been enrolled in the originally required course for at least 1 academic year after the study visa release.
• Conversion to Work Permit: International students who have reached the age of majority or have obtained a Master’s degree/PhD in Italy may convert their study permit into a work permit, subject to current immigration quotas and legal requirements.

If you wish to stay in Italy after graduation to find employment, you can apply for a Residence Permit for Job Search (Permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione).

Requirements:

• Completed application form.
• Photocopy of your passport.
• A copy of your University Degree/Diploma.
• Registration with the Centro per l'impiego (Italian Employment Office).

Note: Losing your job is not a reason for immediate withdrawal of a permit. If you have a work permit and lose your job, you may register with the Employment Office for the remaining validity of your permit (minimum 6 months).

1. How long does it take to obtain the permit? Generally about 90 days from the appointment at the Questura.

2. How can I check the status of my application? Visit the Polizia di Stato website and log in using the User ID and Password found on your postal receipt (Assicurata).

3. What if I can't see my status online? You can email immigrazione.segreteria.rm@poliziadistato.it for updates.

4. Can I travel home while my renewal is pending? Yes, provided you take a direct flight (no stopovers in other Schengen countries). You must carry your passport, the expired permit, and the original Postal Receipt (Cedolino/Assicurata). If it is your first permit, you need your passport with a valid multiple-entry visa and the postal receipt. If your multi-entry visa expires while you are in your country, you no longer have a valid visa to return to Italy and you will have to apply for a re-entry visa.

5. Can I travel to other Schengen countries with only the receipt? No. If you have an urgent need to travel to a Schengen country, you must request a temporary permit at the Immigration Office in Rome (Via Teofilo Patini 23), but only after your fingerprints have been registered.

6. What if I missed a document in the kit? The Immigration Office will suspend the procedure. You must check your status regularly and provide the missing document immediately when requested.

7. How far in advance should I apply for a permit renewal? You must submit your renewal application at least 2 months before your current residence permit expires to ensure continuous legal stay.

8. Where do I collect my Residence Permit? When you go for your fingerprinting appointment, the staff will inform you where to collect the plastic card. You will receive a dedicated message when your residence permit is ready.

9. What happens if my Residence Permit expires before the new one is issued? As long as you have the original Postal Receipt (Cedolino/Assicurata) proving you applied for a renewal, you are legally staying in Italy. You may circulate freely on Italian territory (carry your expired permit along with the valid Postal Receipt of the renewal). Regarding travel, you can return to your country of origin and come back to Italy provided that you use direct flights (no stopovers in other Schengen countries) and carry your expired permit along with the valid Postal Receipt.

10. What documents do I need to bring with me when I collect my Residence Permit? To collect your plastic Residence Permit card, you must present:

• Your valid Passport;
• The original Postal Receipt (Assicurata);
• Your old Residence Permit (only in the case of a renewal).

11. Opening hours of the Sapienza Police Station (Commissariato)?

• Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: 09:00 – 13:00.
• Thu: 15:00 – 18:00.
• Location: Main Campus (CU007), entrance from Viale dell'Università.
• Appointment: You must sign the register/sheet outside the office. We recommend calling 06 49910966 the day before to confirm opening hours.
• Note: This office only issues permits and collects missing documents. For other issues, contact Via Teofilo Patini 23 in person or via email immigrazione.segreteria.rm@poliziadistato.it

11. I already have a study permit; can I enrol as an "EU-equivalent" student?

Yes, but only in these specific cases:

• You have lived in Italy for at least one year and have an Italian high school diploma.
   
• You are a non-EU citizen already regularly enrolled in a degree course in an Italian university holding a valid residence permit for study purposes and wish to transfer or change programmes.
  IMPORTANT: If you are moving to Sapienza from another Italian university, do not withdraw (rinuncia agli studi) from your current university. Doing so will invalidate your residence permit and you will need to start again with the study visa procedure by going back to your Country. Instead, you must follow the official transfer procedure.
   
• Foundation Year: You completed a Foundation Year in Italy and are progressing to a degree programme.
   
• Single Courses: A residence permit for study purposes issued for a “Single course” will be considered valid for university enrolment as a EU-equivalent student just in case all the three following requirements are met:
  
  • You have entered Italy with a study visa released for a single course
  • You have fully attended and positively passed the single course
  • The single course is relevant for the degree course that you are requiring to be enrolled in.

Note: Permits issued for Italian language courses or short-term exchange/mobility are not valid for degree enrolment. You must return home and apply for a new visa via Universitaly.

• Visto per l'Italia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Universitaly - Living in Italy
• ItaliaHello - Residence Permit Guide