Useful Information

Temporary Residence Permit
The permesso di soggiorno, or Temporary Residence Permit, is the document that allows foreign citizens to reside in Italy for a limited time period.

The permesso di soggiorno must be requested within eight working day after entering Italy. This request must be made at the Questura, or local police office, of the Province in which the foreigner is in. Furthermore, the permesso is granted for the intended activities in line with the entrance visa or designated regulations.
The duration of the permesso is directly connected to provisions of the entrance visa and is within the limits established by law and in conformity with enforced agreements and international conventions.
The duration, however, cannot exceed one year in relation to the attendance of a course of study or for duly certified educational activity. However, the permesso is renewable on an annual basis in the event of courses which are longer than one year.


Residence Card
The carta di soggiorno, or Residence Card, is a document, which is not fixed with a time limit, that allows a foreigner to reside in Italy.

Non EU citizens have the right to request a carta di soggiorno if they are regularly residing within the Italian state for at least seven years and those who possess a permesso di soggiorno that was granted for motives which require an indeterminate number of renewals. These citizens must also be able to demonstrate a sufficient income for supporting themselves and their families.
The request for obtaining a carta di soggiorno for non EU citizens must be submitted in person at the Questura in the place where he currently resides. The carta di soggiorno is for an indeterminate amount of time. Beyond what is required for a foreigner who regularly resides in Italy, the holder of the carta di soggiorno must, inter alia, enter the country in exemption of a visa and comply to the services and benefits designated by public administration, except in the cases that are established otherwise.
The carta di soggiorno has no expiration, but must be certified within 10 years of the date of issue. It is valid as a identification document for 5 years after the date of issue, at which time it is necessary to renew.