And How Do I Get One?
A permesso di soggiorno requires an application, which you can pick up from your local Poste, known as a Kit Giallo. In addition to bringing your physical passport to the appointment, make sure to stop by a cartoleria to print out copies of your passport (including your visa page, if applicable), and documents supporting your permesso application.
- Financial proof
- Registered lease
- Health insurance
- School enrollment (if applicable)
Be prepared to hit a roadbump here!
For citizenship applications, applying for your permesso di soggiorno can trigger a catch 22. Although it is best practice to first apply for your permesso, you may be asked for proof that the anagrafe has accepted your application or proof of residency— both of which, in most cases, can only be issued with proof of your permesso di soggiorno receipt. In this situation, you may need the local assistance of a service provider who understands the process and can work with local officials to find a sufficient compromise.
After submitting your application, you will be given a receipt. Hold onto it! Best practice is to put your receipt inside your passport and keep it on you at all times until you receive your official permesso card. You will also be issued an appointment date. It is very important that you do not miss your appointment! If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot make your appointment, you will need to contact the local Questura to request a new appointment date.
For those of you on a visa, you will need to continue to renew your permesso di soggiorno for as many years as your visa is valid if you wish to remain a legal resident in Italy. If you plan on leaving Italy and terminating your residency before your permesso appointment, you must cancel your appointment! If you don’t, you could experience issues in the future if you travel to Italy or try to claim residency again.
