Visa and residence permit in Italy

Article 4, par. 1, D. Lgs.286/1998 regulates the access of foreigners coming from outside the EU into the Italian territory. The possibility to enter Italy depends on obtaining a visa (which consists of a stamp or a vignette on the passport) issued by the Italian diplomatic authorities in the country of origin or stable residence.

Esistono varie tipologie di visto, corrispondenti al motivo dell’ingresso dello straniero in Italia (ad esempio motivi familiari, di turismo, studio, lavoro subordinato, ecc.). Per il rilascio di ciascun tipo di visto sono previste dalla normativa italiana requisiti differenti, da valutare caso per caso.

There are several types of visas, relating to the reason of the entry of the foreigner in Italy (for instance family reasons, tourism, study, employment, etc.). Different requirements are established for the issuing of each kind of visa, to be assessed case by case.

Except for entry for tourism reasons – following the receipt of the relevant visa permitting the stay in the national territory and in the Schengen area for a period of up to 3 months, pursuant to article 5, par. 3, D. Lgs. 286/1998 – within eight working days from entering Italy, the foreigner must have a residence permit, with a request formulated to the Questura of the province in which the alien is located (article 5, par. 2, D. Lgs. 286/1998). The residence permit is issued – after the taking of the foreigner’s fingerprints – for the same reasons as the entry visa (article 5, par. 2 and 2-bis, D. Lgs. 286/1998).

Per i soggiorni per motivi di turismo, in forza di visto o permesso rilasciato dall’Italia o altro Stato dell’Unione europea valido per il soggiorno in Italia – salvo che il cittadino straniero sia stato sottoposto a controllo da parte della polizia di frontiera all’ingresso in Italia (è il caso dei voli diretti con destinazione Italia, provenienti da Paesi situati fuori dall’area Schengen) – entro 8 giorni lavorativi dall’ingresso in Italia, lo straniero deve dichiarare la presenza al questore del luogo in cui si trova (art. 5, c. 7, D. Lgs. 286/1998).

For stays for tourism purposes, by virtue of a visa or permit issued by Italy or another EU Member State valid for stay in Italy – unless the foreign national has been checked by the border police while crossing the border into Italy (this is the case for direct flights to Italy from countries outside the Schengen area) – within 8 working days since the entry into the Italian territory, the foreigner must declare the presence at the Questura of the province where he is (article 5, par. 7, D. Lgs. 286/1998).

At least 60 days before – and no longer than 60 days later – the expiration of the residence permit, the foreigner must ask for renewal at the Questura of the province in which he resides. The renewal of this permit is subject to verification of the conditions for the issue and the presence of additional requirements (such as the absence of criminal records) provided for by law (article 5, par. 4, D. Lgs. 286/1998).