All non-EU students will need a visa in order to attend a semester of the Globalization Program as it is longer than 90 days.
Some non-EU students will need a visa in order to attend the summer session of the Globalization Program.
To check if you need a Visa according to your nationality and the length of your stay, check the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs website, Visa for Italy section:
https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
Visas are issued by Italian embassies and consulates in the student’s country of origin.
For a list of embassies and consulates visit the website of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs at: https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/struttura/laretediplomatica/
N.B. Obtaining a Visa and applying for the residency permit on arrival in Italy are a pre-requisite to be accepted and to remain in the Globalization Program.
You will have to book an appointment and go in person to the Consulate to present your documents for your visa application.
Most Consulates have an online booking system. Many now outsource the processing of visa applications to agencies. Make sure you refer ONLY to official outsourced agencies as indicated on the Consulate’s official website.
In some Consulates you may have to wait for up to a month for an appointment.
All applications for student visas require the following documents:
• A valid passport – it should be valid for at least 3 months beyond the validity date of the visa requested. The passport must have a blank page available for the visa to be affixed
• Visa request form, available from competent embassy or consulate
• One passport photograph
• Letter of acceptance from host institution: VIU
• Proof of accommodation (included in VIU letter)
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Evidence of financial means (€467,65 per month)
Note: always bring photocopies of all of your documentation. The consular office may ask for any additional documentation at its discretion. Make sure you check the Consulate’s website before your appointment.
The Letter of Acceptance from VIU:
• The original letter will be sent to the International Office / Study Abroad office in your home university. You should arrange to pick it up there.
• The letter will specify the dates of the program
• The letter will state that the student will be provided with accommodation on campus for the duration of the program (students who are assigned to apartments will change this LATER on their residency permit application)
• This letter must be stamped and returned to you by the Italian Consulate: it will be required for the residency permit application once in Italy. Make sure that it is returned to you.
• For the Italian Consulate in the UK, the letter must be dated no longer than 30 days prior to your appointment at the Consulate. Do not delay in making an appointment once you receive your letter. If you need a new letter request one by writing to visas@univiu.org
RESIDENCY PERMIT (“PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO”)
Within 8 working days after arrival in Italy, a student who holds a study visa must apply for a Residency Permit (Permesso di soggiorno). VIU guarantees for your invitation and stay in Italy for the length of the semester, as it should correspond in your Visa.
Residency Permit application through Postal Kit
Students:
During orientation week, there will be an info session on submitting the residency permit application. During this meeting VIU staff provide information on the residency permit application, check students’ documents, provide the application kit and assist students in filling out the application and compiling the necessary documents.
Once completed, the application must be sent through the postal service.
Globalization Program students must submit to VIU a copy of the receipt of submission in order to continue in the Globalization Program.
The application kit is a white A4 envelope with a yellow stripe provided by the Italian Postal Service
The kit contains:
Application form: “Mod. 209 Modulo 1”
Postal order for electronic permit
To complete the application, you will need:
• Mod. 209 Modulo 1 (provided with kit)
• Photocopy of ALL pages of passport, including blank pages and visa
• Photocopy of certificate of acceptance (VIU invitation letter) with the official stamp of embassy/consulate that issued the visa.
-Some consulates staple this to the back cover of the passport.
-If the Visa office did not return this letter to you, request that they send you a copy.
-Make sure that officers at immigration control do not take this original document from you.
• Photocopy of INTERNATIONAL health coverage:
-If you do not have coverage you can purchase an insurance in Italy. We can suggest the WAI policy, purchased online for €71.00 for the duration of six months (ask your program coordinator for information).
-If you have coverage from your country of origin, you must have valid documentation with you that specifies that your policy includes coverage in Italy, and includes the dates of coverage which must cover the duration of your expected stay in Italy.
-If you are covered by a family policy, you must have a certificate from the insurance company that specifies that you are covered.
N.B. Only documents written in Italian or English are accepted: ask for an English copy of your health coverage if written in another language!
You’ll need to have an Italian mobile number as communication on your residency permit application are sent by the Immigration Office by text.
VIU staff will give you instructions on how to get an Italian SIM and mobile number. The cost is between 10 and 15 euros according to the different providers.
Residency Permit Postal Kit costs:
- Stamp duty (marca da bollo): €16.00
- Electronic permit (Postal Order): €70,46 *
- Postal administration charge: €30.00
- Total: €116,46
* Cost valid since 9 June 2017 (Decreto del Ministero delle Finanze del 5 maggio 2017 “Modifica del decreto 6 ottobre 2011 relativo agli importi del contributo per il rilascio del permesso di soggiorno”), consisting in “contributo di rilascio” + contributo per la stampa del documento elettronico”.
Please note:
- A compulsory payment of € 116,46 tot. is required for the issue of the electronic permit. Fill out the postal order included in the application Kit, according to the sample order provided by your program coordinator.
- The marca da bollo (stamp duty) cannot be purchased in the post office. You can purchase it in a tobacconist store in advance. Tobacconists displaying the “Lotto” and “T” sign sell the Marca da Bollo. What to ask for: Vorrei una marca da bollo da sedici euro, per favore
- The Post Office does not accept Credit Cards – BRING CASH – EURO ONLY.
(There is an ATM at the post office).
Submission of the Residency Permit application
While sending the application kit at the Post office, you will receive a receipt. The receipt is proof that you applied for the residency permit as required by law and therefore that you are legally in the country.
As the issue of the permit itself requires some time the receipt is valid in lieu of the residency permit until you get your permit.
Take into account that the receipt does not allow you to travel outside Italy in the Schengen area as the permit would allow. Practically, you can still travel freely in the Schengen area for 90 days from your arrival if your citizenship allows short stays (up to 90 days) without a Visa.
You must keep the receipt and your passport with you at all times.
A copy of the receipt must be submitted in to the Globalization Program office to prove that you accomplished program requirements as regards immigration procedures. Together with the receipt you’ll receive a summons
to present yourself at the Headquarters of the Immigration Police in Marghera (“Questura) to complete the application procedure. The date of the appointment is issued automatically by the system and can’t be changed. There is usually a time for the appointment in the summons, but the time can be disregarded. All people called on the same day must be at the office by 8.30 am and will be given a number based on the queue.
The Globalization Program office will also keep a copy of this summons as absences in the Globalization Program due to the immigration procedures are justified.
At the Immigration office you will be fingerprinted. You must present your passport, the original documents submitted in the postal application kit and four passport-size photos (all 4 photos must be identical).
Information on this page is provided by VIU however VIU is not responsible for any changes in the Italian law and each student is expected to make sure that all of his/her papers are in order.
