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Residence Permit

possible scenarios before and after graduation

Understanding Your Legal Status in Italy

 

Visa (Visto)

  • A visa is an entry document issued by the Italian consulate in your home country.
  • It allows you to enter Italy for a specific purpose (e.g., study, work, family reunification).
  • It is not valid for staying in Italy long-term without further steps.

 

Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)

  • Once you arrived in Italy with a visa, you applied for a residence permit
  • The residence permit allows you to legally stay in Italy for the duration of your studies or other authorized activity.

  • It must be renewed and it is essential for accessing services like healthcare, internships, and employment.

     

    Important Notes

  • You cannot work in Italy with just a visa. You need a valid residence permit.
  • The type of permit you hold (e.g., for study, work, or self-employment) determines what activities you are allowed to do.

Student Status and Work Rights

  • As a student, you are allowed to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week and a maximum of 1,040 hours per year.
  • Internships are not considered employment. You can undertake a full-time internship while holding a student residence permit.

Key Factors That Influence Your Options

Your ability to remain in Italy after graduation depends on several variables:

  • The expiry date of your current residence permit.
  • Whether you have a job offer.
  • Your student status at the time of applying for a new permit.

Type of Recidence Permits

Below is an overview of the most common types of residence permits available to international students after completing their studies in Italy:

 

PERMIT TYPE

WHEN

KEY REQUIREMENTS

WAITING TIMES

NOTES

STUDY PERMIT-

permesso di studio

Before graduation only

  • Have passed at least 1-2 exams

3-5 months

-Straightforward process

- Max 1 year, renewable

PERMIT FOR JOB SEARCH OR ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

permesso di attesa occupazione/ricerca lavoro

After graduation only

  • DID

  • Certificate of graduation

  • Proof of financial means

3-5 months

 

-Straightforward process

- Max 1 year, not renewable

 

WORK PERMIT

Either before or after graduation

  • job offer (min 20g/week)

  • Residency/residenza

  • Accommodation proof

Around 3 months minimu

  • External support can be useful

  • 1-2 years, renewable

 

Important notes

  • Once you receive your residence permit, you should:
  1. Register your residency (residenza) in Milan (check with your landlord if this is possible).
  2. This will allow you to obtain:
    • An Italian ID card
    • A SPID (Public Digital Identity System), which is required to apply for the conversion of your permit from student to work.
  • You may also consider applying for other type of permits:
  • Self-employment permit
  • EU long-term residence permit
    • EU Blue Card (for highly qualified workers)