Entering & Staying in Italy

Entering & Staying in Italy Legally

The immigration process is lengthy and regulatory in nature. The applicable rules change frequently. Please review the web pages at the links provided below to obtain the most up to date information.

As the visa application can be a lengthy process, we recommend that students familiarize themselves with the visa procedures in advance and get started as soon as possible. 

It is the student’s responsibility to comply with current immigration requirements and to secure the applicable documents.

Upon arrival in Rome, please come the Graduate School Office, located in Via Orazio Raimondo n°18 (5th floor), with two passport-style photographs. You will certify your registration and be given a student id card.

1. Declaration of Relative Value

Students possessing degree(s) not achieved in Italy will have to submit to the Graduate School office a Declaration of Relative Value (or “dichiarazione di valore relativa al titolo”) within three months of registration.

The Declaration of Relative Value is required as recognition of a diploma or certificate from any foreign school. The Declaration serves to demonstrate the validity of the diploma or certificate.The Declaration of Relative Value is issued by the representative Italian Embassy or Consulate of the country or territory in which the academic diploma or certificate was issued. If the applicant is already in Italy, they can apply through the Embassy or by writing directly to the Italian Consulate.

If the legislation of the country or territory that issued the diploma or certificate stipulates that the document must be legalized as a guarantee of its authenticity, the Italian Embassy or Consulate will issue the Declaration of Value only after the diploma or certificate is legalized by the competent authority of that country or territory.

If this rule applies in the country or territory where the diploma or certificate was issued, you must contact the competent authority of that country or territory to obtain the legalization of the diploma or certificate BEFORE you ask the Italian Embassy or Consulate to issue the Declaration.

Alternatively, if the country that issued your diploma or certificate signed the Hague Convention (5 October 1961), your diploma or certificate falls under the guidelines of the "Hague Postilla" (Hague Apostille). The stamp with the “Postilla” should be placed on your document BEFORE you ask the Italian Embassy or Consulate to issue the Declaration. You can be exempted from the Declaration requirement only if you meet one on the following conditions:

1) the institution that issued the diploma or certificate belongs to one of the countries that have signed the European Convention in Brussels on 25 May 1987 (Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy); or

2) you are in possession of a diploma issued by Germany, which as a result of the Italo-German Convention, provides exemption from the legalization of public documents.

2. Regarding Translation

Documents written in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation in Italian. The translation must be obtained by the student and must be certified by the student's local Italian Embassy/Consulate office abroad. Students who are already in Italy can contact official or sworn translators, or the Embassy/Consulate office of the document's country of issue, or the appropriate local court office.

3. Entry Visa (for non-EU citizens)

All students holding a non-European Union passport are required by Italian law to obtain a student visa before departing from their home country. Without a valid student visa, the student will not be able to apply for their Permit to Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno).

Students must obtain their student visa after receiving approval of their acceptance. The Graduate School Office at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” will send each newly admitted student a certificate of acceptance which they can take, along with all other necessary documents, to their local Italian Consulate.

Students should check with their local Italian consulate to make sure they have all the necessary documents before presenting their application.

Please note that the student visa should be obtained prior to leaving one's home country. It is not possible to apply for such a visa in Italy.

For information on documentation needed and the location of the Italian Consulates, please see: http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp

4. Codice Fiscale

5. Permit to Stay (Permesso di Soggiornio) (for non-EU citizens)

Within 8 working days after entering Italy, you must report your presence to the local Central Police Station (the Questura) of the province in which you are staying and apply for a Permit to Stay (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Post Office (please go to the “Amico” service window).When applying for the Permit to Stay, you will need to provide the following:

• Five (5) identical, passport-sized photos
• Three (3) photocopies of your passport (every page)
• Two (2) photocopies of your visa
• Two (2) photocopies of a medical insurance policy* valid in Italy
• Two (2) photocopies of your official certificate of acceptance from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” stamped by the Italian Consulate (the Consulate will stamp it and return it to you when you apply for your visa)
• Two (2) photocopies of a bank statement or other documents demonstrating possession of adequate means of support
• A Revenue stamp valued at €14.62, which can be bought at most Tobacco Shops in Italy
• €27.50 for payment by postal order (bollettino) to the Italian Police (the Questura)
• €30 for payment to the Italian Postal Service for processing your application

Each student must submit their application in person at the post office in the neighborhood of their residence. (Please be prepared with a copy of your housing rental agreement.) The post office will provide each student with receipts of their submitted application.

**These receipts are extremely important – it is recommended the student make copies!**

The receipts will serve as proof that the student is in the country legally while their application is processed. It is recommended that you keep the original receipts in a safe place and carry copies with you regularly.

Several months after the application is submitted the local police will contact each student in order to be finger printed. The actual permit is issued at a later date and needs to be picked up in person.

The initial permit is typically valid for one year. Within 60 days of its expiration, please begin the renewal process (much the same as the initial process).

An up to date list of required documentation can be found at: https://www.portaleimmigrazione.it/ImmigrazioneNET/APR_PDS_Motivi_Studio.aspx

6. Certificate of Residency (for EU citizens)

EU citizens who plan on staying in Italy for longer than 90 days must obtain a Certificate of Residency (Certificato di Residenza. The certificate can be obtained from the “anagrafe” office (registry office) in the neighborhood or district of their residence.

In order to obtain this certificate, the following documentation is required (remember to bring copies of each document):

• Passport or valid ID
• Copy of your Codice Fiscale
• Official certificate of acceptance from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of means of financial support

7. Additional Websites

Helpful informations on the immigration process and filling out the necessary forms can be found at the following sites:

 http://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/10716/

http://www.poste.it/azienda/ufficipostali/eli2/soggiorno/guida/eli_soggiorno_inglese.pdf

8. Useful Phone Numbers in Italy

Police                      113

Carabinieri                112

Fire Department        115

Ambulance               118                

9. Transportation

ATAC (local public transportation)

You can calculate routes to get around Rome and get bus/subway information:

www.atac.roma.it

TRENITALIA

http://www.trenitalia.com/

10. ADISU

You may be able to eat at the cafes associated with ADISU at a discounted rate. In order to do this you will need to obtain an ADISU membership card.

To get a membership card, go to the LAZIODISU administrative office on Via Cambridge 115 (located behind the Faculty of Economic - Bus 20 Express).

You will need to provide the office with the following:

• - proof of your university registration
• - two passport-style photographs
• - a letter from the Embassy of your home country certifying that you do not receive money from your home country.

Note: If you cannot read Italian, it might be helpful to take a friend with you who does in order to help fill-out your request on the computers at the LAZIODISU office. The price of your meals will be fixed according to your income level

11. ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE

The Graduate School offers a 90 hour Italian language course organized by CLICI (Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana). The course is offered two days a week for 2-1/2 hours per day.

12. ACCOMODATION

Based on availability, we can offer limited housing in our dormitory.

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