Wondering how you can stay back in Italy after your higher education? The Italy post-study work visa is a permit that allows non-EU international students to extend their study visas to look for jobs in Italy or other Shenzhen countries. Luckily, EU students do not need a work permit to work in Italy. They just need to extend their residence permit as long as they wish to work in Italy.
It is important to understand all the details of the post-study work visa in Italy if you want to stay back in Italy after completing your higher education. In this blog, we will discuss all you need to know about the Italian post-study work permit for international students. Keep reading to understand the benefits of an Italy post-study work visa, how to apply for it, and some things to keep in mind for favorable results.
What is the Italy Post Study Work Visa?
Italy’s visa system is slightly complex. If you are a prospective student who wants to stay in Italy for a duration exceeding 3 months, you need to apply for a student visa in your home country first. The student visa acts as an entry visa only. Upon reaching Italy, you need to apply for a student residence permit within 8 days of arrival. The student residence permit is valid for a maximum of 12 months and requires annual renewal.
Upon completion of studies/research, they can convert their residence permit into a residence permit for work. There are several ways you can do this. The most convenient and easy way is if you already have a job/internship offer in hand. In this situation, students can convert their study visa straight into a work permit (subordinate or self-employed), and researchers can convert their research permit immediately into a work permit. Researchers can even build a start-up that is relevant to their research topic.
But, let’s face it, the chances of you already having a job offer in hand as soon as you finish your studies are minimal. Therefore, most international students opt for a post study work visa (Permesso per ricerca lavoro) which translates to a job search permit that allows you to look for work for a maximum of 12 months after finishing your studies. But it requires you to register as “unemployed” with the Italian employment center (Centro per l’Impiego).
Eligibility Requirements for Italy Post Study Work Visa
Study permit holders who completed their education in Italy and research permit holders who completed research activity in Italy are entitled to apply for Italy post study work visa. They must possess either one of the following:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree also known as “Laurea triennale o specialistica” in Italian
- PhD
- First- or second-level academic diploma
- First- or second-level postgraduate training
- Higher technician diploma
Students can apply for the permit at the end of their studies when their current student visa expires. Similarly, students who are about to finish their research project can apply too. The post study work visa lets them stay in Italy for 9 to 12 months for seeking a job or to build an innovative start-up.
How to Apply for the Italy Post Study Work Visa?
The process starts with an application to a local Questura i.e., the Immigration Office of the Police Headquarters. The application must include the immigration kit that includes Mod 209, Forms 1 and 2 along with the following supplementary documents:
- Copy of the passport (must include pages with personal data)
- For students, a copy of the academic certificates (can be produced within 60 days of the application)
- For researchers, a copy of the document stating they have completed their research activities in Italy (can be produced within 60 days of the application)
- Proof of accommodation (tenancy agreement)
- Copy of “cessione fabbricato” from the landlord
- Proof of funding not lower than the annual Italian social allowance (€6,542.51)
- Registration at the National Health System or a copy of the Italian health insurance policy that covers illness and injury for the entire validity of the permit
- Self-attestation that the student has registered at the local Job Center, coupled with the PDF of the online registration
- Copy of the Italian tax identification number
- A revenue stamp of €16
- Receipt of the postal giro slip containing the payment of €30.46 along with the administrative contribution of €40, which is to be made in the same slip
- Copy DiD (Dichiarazione di immediata disponibilità al lavoro) registration (for unemployed students/researchers)
Things to Remember
There are two types of residence work permit types for each category. 30 Studente – Ricerca Lavoro for students and 28 Ricercatore Ricerca Lavoro for researchers. Students/researchers must get their DiD registration before applying for the post study work permit as they do not have a job in hand yet. They can do so by applying online through the ANPAL website. The ANPAL then forwards the application to the nearby Job Center to carry out the unemployment status registration. Once registered, they can apply for an Italian post study work visa to seek employment (code 30 for the postal kit). For more information, contact Gyanberry. You can also read our blog on student visas for Italy. It covers everything about requirements, visa fees, processing time, extensions, etc.
Conclusion
Italian government lets students or researchers stay in the country for hob after completion of their studies or research respectively. There are two types of permits for each category: 30 Studente – Ricerca Lavoro for students and 28 Ricercatore Ricerca Lavoro for researchers. They can apply for Italy post study work visa by submitting an application kit and relevant documents to a nearby Questura. Students must also register with a local Job Center for DiD registration to get their unemployment status checked before starting the application process for post study work visa. To ensure favorable results, they must submit all the relevant documents including a revenue stamp of €16, a postal giro slip containing the payment of €30.46, and an administrative contribution of €40.
