What will happen at your Permesso di Soggiorno Appointment?
My process and what you can learn from it:
Most expats get nervous about their permesso di soggiorno appointment at the questura (police office). But, because my paper work had been done by INAC, I was confident. What could go wrong?
But then on an expat forum I was told to “have a thick skin” and “they will yell at you” and “take someone with you who speaks fluent Italian.”
My Italian is pretty good although it would probably falter if I was being yelled at in a police station. So I began to wonder if I needed to bring someone with me. But my new Italian acquaintances were working so I went on my own.
I arrived early for my appointment and was seen about 40 minutes after the time of my appointment. The small room, with no air conditioning, was very hot. In front of me were 3 Albanian women who did not speak Italian. At a different window were other immigrants— we are all considered immigrants of the same category whether from Albania, Africa or in my case, the US.
The man at my window was pleasant with the non-Italian speaking women in front of me, and when my turn came, he was quite cheery with me. What a relief.
He did not ask for any of my financial documents. Only for my passport, my post office receipt and 3 photos.
I said, “ne ho quattro” when I handed him the un-cut sheet of 4 photos. He replied that I spoke Italian well and that it was no problem for him to cut out 3 of the photos.
Then he told me I needed to take a course.
Now this is something I’d not heard of and I registered surprised in my reply. He gave me a handout in English that said “Notice to participate in the civic training session” and said that if I don’t attend it I’ll loose 15 points.
I didn’t know I had any points. Is this like a game? Immigrants versus Italians?
“You have to demonstrate a certain capability with the language and a knowledge of civic life…” he explained to me.
“I have taught about the civic life of 15th century Florence in my courses on the Florentine Renaissance.” I tell him.
“Ha ha, you could teach the course then! But nevertheless you need to take it.” He said cheerily.
This “course” is part of the Integration Agreement that was instated in 2012—long after I last lived in Italy.
I was told to wait to be taken to another room for fingerprinting. The only 3 chairs were taken up the Albanians. I stood and sweated, rather contently, because I was on my way to becoming legal in Italy.
My name was called and I, and the Albanians, followed him to another office where the air was much fresher. He seemed about my age and looked like a sailor with a super tan face, a white polo shirt, and sneakers.
The elderly Albanian woman was having trouble standing so he took both her hands as he brought her toward the finger printing station. He made a joke about it being “un ballo Latino Americano” and I laughed. The Albanians didn’t understand what he said and looked at me curiously. But they didn’t speak English either so I couldn’t explain why I was laughing.
After I was fingerprinted I was told I could go. Sailor man said I would get a notice when my permesso was ready. Maybe by SMS, maybe a call, or maybe I was supposed to check online. He didn’t know.
That was good enough for me. I thanked him and left.
No yelling. No nightmares!
The take aways from this post:
For those who don’t speak Italian: If your questura is small and friendly you should be OK on your own at your permesso di soggiorno appointment if you’ve followed prior steps accurately. If your questura is a large hectic one, bring someone with you who speaks Italian.
Be prepared to be given a specific date when you must attend the civil life course.
To learn more about the civil life course see Post #1 of the Integration Agreement.
Michael Locke says
Thanks for detailing your experience Chandi. Very informative.
We are two Australians going through the same process, with application for permesso submitted and an appointment date in Perugia for July 5 ( as you noted, far longer for larger towns, as we submitted completed forms early April!)
We had heard third hand about new language requirements and civic training, but are unaware of details, any points requirement etc. Are you aware of a web site that explains the detail please?
Chandi Wyant says
Ciao Michael,
I am glad my posts about this are helpful for you.
So, it’s an “integration agreement” and you have to fulfill certain things during the term of your permesso. So if it’s your first permesso, it will be for one year. A month before the end of that year, you’ll be assessed. You will be given a date for the initial class when you are at the questura appointment.
I have heard that the initial class is just a few hours, and it covers the civic life/constitution stuff. Once I have that first class, I will write a post about what I have learned. To stay tuned for that you might want to sign up for my newsletter if you have not already.
This link will give you a good overview:
Here’s the link: http://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/en/latest-news/highlights/Pages/Integration-agreement.aspx
Jenna Francisco says
I’ve always wanted to live in Italy but have heard that it’s such a headache to get papers and figure out the system. Good to know that the person helping you was pleasant to everyone. I’m sure this series will be helpful to those who are trying to go through the process.
Chandi Wyant says
Thanks Jenna, yes, those who are in the midst of the paperwork spend a lot of time & energy figuring out the system!
Monica says
Hi! I had my appointment with the questura in Rome today to convert my school visa to a work visa. My appointment was at 9:00am and I arrived about 8:15 and was out before my appointment was scheduled! Wow!
Last year I spoke zero Italian and when I brought my Italian boyfriend with me to help, we were told he couldn’t accompany me. It was ok, as everyone I encountered spoke English.
No one has ever mentioned a civic exam so I’ll be clicking on your experience with that next! 🙂
Now the waiting game…
Chandi Wyant says
Ciao Monica,
That’s amazing, particularly for a questura in a large city, that you were done before the time of your appointment. That’s interesting that they said your Italian support person couldn’t be with you. At the Lucca questura they are not checking anyone in. You can just wander in and wait your turn and no one is going to notice who is “with” you. I suppose it could happen that when you get to the window, you could be asked “who is that with you?” and I suppose that person could be told to leave, but I have not heard of that happening, if it’s clear you’re bringing someone to help translate.
I will have the “civic class” in 2 weeks. I’ll post about how it went and what else I learned.
Carlo Roberts says
Chandi thank you SO much for this useful information! Two things: 1) A few months ago, I renewed my PDS for another two years, and nothing had ever been mentioned about the integration agreement. Now, I’m a little freaked because more than 2 years has passed, so it sounds like I may have lost 15 points before even knowing about this! 2) I wasn’t aware Italy offered free Italian classes, so I clicked on your link and it didn’t go anywhere. (I’m in Guardia Sanframondi / Campania) Do you know another place to find out about classes? I really appreciate your insights and help!
Chandi Wyant says
Ciao Carlo, sorry, i have corrected the link that at the bottom of this post that leads to a post about the next step in the process.
Regarding the free Italian language course (I’ll post about this in the next months but here’s some info that should help you):
You need to find a CTP: “Permanent Territorial Centre” where courses are free of charge.
Enrolment in the courses is available to all foreign citizens aged at least 16, and at the end of the course you can get the needed certificate.
Carlo Roberts says
Chandi, thanks for you quick, and helpful reply. I’ve signed up for your emails, and look forward to them. All the best, Carlo
Chandi Wyant says
Prego! 🙂
Kate says
Really helpful information! Especially the details on the civil life course. I also love how you paint a detailed picture of the setting and process. It really helps to get an idea of what this will be like. Really appreciate you documenting these steps!
Chandi Wyant says
You are very welcome Kate. Stay tuned for more!
John Hill says
Chandi, Good day. Great reading and info. I wads wondering if you could point us in the right direction. We are planning to visit Italy for 1 year, living in 4 different spots for 3 months in each, following the weather. Rented apartment probably. When we try and get an answer from the consulate they say we need proof of our accommodation for the whole year and we need to stay in one spot. So a couple of questions.
1.Can we just enter as a tourist for up to 90 days and then decide to stay longer?
We will have proof of income and private health insurance, but no permanent address. We won’t to be able to travel around using a base of 3 months in each location. Do you think this is doable?
2. If we try to be 100% legal it appears we can only use 1 address? Is this the way it has to be?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
Regards
John
Chandi Wyant says
Hi John,
As you know, if you are not EU, the Schenegen Agreement allows you to be Italy (or another country which is part of the agreement) for a max of 90 days.
I can make some “suggestions” here but I am NOT a lawyer or a border official or a consulate employee. Please take my suggestions only as things for you to look into and become more informed about:
1) After your consecutive 90 days in Italy, you could leave and go to a non-schenegen country like the UK or one of Balkan countries for another consecutive 90-day period, and then you’d be allowed to re-enter Italy and spend up to 90 days again.
2) I have heard that it “may” be possible to get a 30 day extension to the 90 day tourist visa. You could inquire about this at an Italian Consulate.
3) If you don’t like numbers one and two, and want to remain in Italy beyond the 90 days you must apply ahead of time at the Italian Consulate in your country. You cannot be in Italy and decide you want to stay longer and apply for it while in Italy. You would apply before your trip for a “long-stay visa” such as elective residency where you demonstrate that you have enough $ in the bank to support yourself. Or try for a student visa by signing up for a language course.
To apply for these you must provide a one year registered lease. Have you considered staying for one in year in one place, and taking a lot of trips around the country to visit different places? This could still achieve your goals. Italy isn’t that big, the train network is huge and flights can be considered for longer distances between north and south.
SHARON says
did the questura pay you a home visit before or after the interview to confirm your address
Chandi Wyant says
Hi, This happens as part of the registering at the Anagrafe for residency, and not as part of the permesso process. You can read about that here: http://paradiseofexiles.com/italian-citizenship/
Mohamoud abdallah zakaria says
Ho bisogno di prendere appuntamento per rinnovare il permesso di soggiorno
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Mohamoud, I can’t provide appointments. I am just an individual person, writing informational posts about the process but I am not a government official and I have no connection to the government offices for these appointments.
Salve Mohamoud, non posso fornire appuntamenti. Sono solo una persona chi scrivo dei post informativi sul processo, ma non sono un funzionario governativo e non ho alcun collegamento con gli uffici governativi per question appuntamenti.