Your student visa simply allows your entrance in Italy. In order to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno), which includes your fiscal code/tax code (codice fiscale).
The Italian tax code/fiscal code (codice fiscale) is "a means of identification of foreign citizens in their relations with public authorities and other administrations" (source: Agenzia delle Entrate official website). You will need it to open a bank account, have access to the public healthcare system, rent a property for longer than 30 days, be registered as a Healthcare Operator, and more.
Important: You might be able to request a codice fiscale in your home country through your local Embassy or Consulate. We highly recommend this, as it will make the process of enrollment and obtaining a residence permit considerably easier and quicker.
Regardless of your fiscal code, once you have arrived in Italy you will have 8 working days (excl. Saturday, Sunday, national holidays) to submit an official request for a residence permit. Please note that holding a residence permit is a legal requirement and therefore not optional.
A member of our Student Administration Office will closely assist you with the bureaucratic procedures regarding your residence permit and tax code.
Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Four recent photos of yourself, valid for ID purposes
- Photocopy of every page of your passport
- Two photocopies of your passport with official stamp(s) of the Italian Embassy or Consulate of your home country
- Copy of the admission letter, with official stamp(s) of the Embassy or Consulate
- Proof of health insurance
- Tax stamp(s)
- Duly filled out forms included in the Kit (more on this below)
What is the "Kit"? The so-called "Kit" includes a set of forms that are necessary to submit a new request for a residence permit (kit per la richiesta di un nuovo permesso di soggiorno). It looks like an envelope with a yellow stripe and you can find one in almost all post offices.
Here is how to get one:
- Go to one of the many post offices that offer the service "Sportello Amico", and ask for a kit.
- Bring the Kit to school on the day and time indicated by our team. We will assist you in filling out all forms.
If you wish, you can also ask a Patronato (institution that specializes in assistance, consultancy, and mediation in matters pertaining to public administration, free from additional fees) to assist you with the process. In this case you will not need a Kit (source: Poste Italiane official website).
After submitting all the documents, you can monitor the progress of your request here.
You will need to wait for the local police station (Questura) to schedule an appointment with you, so make sure to check the link regularly! We ask you to be patient as it may take anywhere between 4 to 10 months; in the meantime, the receipt(s) of your payments for the residence permit will be valid, effectively allowing you to stay in Italy in accordance with the law.
For detailed information or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. A member of our Student Administration Office will be glad to assist you.
