Practical travel information on Visas in Rome - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Visas

EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy. Nationals of some other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the USA, do not need visas for stays of up to 90 days in Italy, or in any Schengen country.

Italy is one of the 15 signatories of the Schengen Convention, an agreement whereby participating countries abolished customs checks at common borders. The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

The standard tourist visa for a Schengen country is valid for up to 90 days. As a rule, a Schengen visa issued by one Schengen country is valid for travel in other Schengen countries, although it’s always worth checking as individual countries may impose additional restrictions on certain nationalities. You must apply for a Schengen visa in your country of residence and you can apply for no more than two in any 12-month period. They are not renewable inside Italy.

Technically all foreign visitors to Italy are supposed to register with the local police within eight days of arrival. However, if you’re staying in a hotel you don’t need to bother as the hotel does this for you – this is why they always take your passport details.

Permesso di soggiorno

A permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) is needed if you plan to study, work (legally) or live in Italy. It’s required by all non-EU nationals who stay in Italy longer than three months. In theory non-EU citizens should apply for one within eight days of arriving in Italy, but in practice few people do. EU citizens do not require a permesso di soggiorno.

To get one you’ll need a valid passport, containing a stamp with your date of entry into Italy (ask for this as it’s not automatic); a photocopy of your passport; a study visa if necessary; four passport-style photographs; proof of your ability to support yourself financially (ideally a letter from an employer or school/university); and a €14.92 official stamp (formerly known as a marca da bollo, now called a contrassegno telematico), available from authorised tobacconists.

Although correct at the time of writing, the documentary requirements change periodically so always check before you join the inevitable queue.

You can apply at the Ufficio Stranieri (Foreigners Bureau; 06 468 63 216; Via Genova 2; 24hr); at your nearest commissariato (police station); or at major post offices.

Study visas

Non-EU citizens who want to study at a university or language school in Italy must have a study visa. These can be obtained at your nearest Italian embassy or consulate. You will normally require confirmation of your enrolment, proof of payment of fees and proof that you can support yourself financially. The visa covers only the period of the enrolment. This type of visa is renewable within Italy but, again, only with confirmation of ongoing enrolment and that you are still financially self-supporting (bank statements are preferred).

Work visas

To work in Italy all non-EU citizens require a work visa. Apply to your nearest Italian embassy or consulate. You’ll need a valid passport, proof of health insurance and a work permit. The work permit is obtained in Italy by your employer and then forwarded to you prior to your visa application.