Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Italy Expat Forum

Renewing Visa in Italy

New Topic Newest First
codybrandy
  7/16/2016 02:50 EST

Please help. My visa expires in Nov. 2016 and I will be out of the country until Oct...will there be dire consequences if I don't start the renewal process until 1 month before it expires? I've heard you should submit forms c 2 months + before expiry. Thank you for any insight.

guestuser
  7/16/2016 03:04 EST

Codybrandy, based on the time-related information that you provided, please clarify whether you are referring to your visa or to your permesso di soggiorno. Different rules apply to the two different documents.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

DoppioCittadino
  7/16/2016 07:50 EST

More specifically, a visa gives you permission to *enter* Italy, a permesso di soggiorno (PdiS) gives you permission to *remain* in Italy.

You obtain a visa prior to arriving and then obtain a PdiS upon (shortly after) arrival. You need to renew your PdiS on a regular basis which can vary from 1 to 5 years (if I recall correctly). Your visa, however does not and cannot be renewed.

On the other hand, if you make the mistake of allowing your PdiS to expire for any length of time, there is the risk that you will have to leave Italy and begin the entire process - including a new visa - over again.

codybrandy
  7/16/2016 08:46 EST

Hello Jacksterjam, It is my PdiS stating I have a residenza electiva exp Nov.6,'16...Since I am about to leave the country Aug 1 and wont return until Oct 1 (ish) should I just send in my renewal papers when I return. If I send them in now I might not be around to get any messages about going to the questura etc. If I wait until Oct. I'll be available and I wont leave the country again until after it renews. Thank you if you have any advice. C.

codybrandy
  7/16/2016 08:51 EST

Hello Jacksterjam, It is my PdiS stating I have a residenza electiva exp Nov.6,'16...Since I am about to leave the country Aug 1 and wont return until Oct 1 (ish) should I just send in my renewal papers when I return. If I send them in now I might not be around to get any messages about going to the questura etc. If I wait until Oct. I'll be available and I wont leave the country again until after it renews. Thank you if you have any advice. C.
P.S. I've never renewed the visa that is in my Passport...I think it actually exp. a year ago and I've been in and out of the country 2 or 3 times...they always just look at my PdiS card...am I missing something?

guestuser
  7/16/2016 12:33 EST

Hi Codybrandy. No, you're not missing anything. Although I suspected you were asking about renewing your PdiS, you said visa so I just wanted to be sure that I was addressing the correct situation. For the renewal of your PdiS, which will be valid for two years, they request that you submit your application 90 days in advance.

I am currently in the process of renewing my own PdiS and appointment dates for fingerprinting are about 72 days out, then another 60 days before you have the new PdiS in hand. I recommend that you submit your paperwork 90 days in advance and try to plan your travel dates around the fingerprinting appointment if you can. If you submit your paperwork by August 1, the date of your appointment to give fingerprints probably won't be until after October 1. When you submit your renewal application, if they give you a date that is before you return, perhaps you can explain and change the date of the appointment.

If you wait until you return, because the entire process is taking about 4 1/2 months, you will be without a valid PdiS for about 3 months. That's not a problem for the Italian authorities because you will have the renewal receipt in hand, but you won't be able to travel through the Schengen zone, even to make flight connections, during those 3 months. I know several people who got caught up in that and, although they had their PdiS renewal receipt with them, they were not allowed to board their planes because their connections were within the Schengen zone. As far as the other Schengen countries are concerned, you would be without valid documentation that allows you to even be in the Schengen zone and they are being very strict about it. My friends showed security their renewal receipt and the response they received was, "Yes, but we don't know that Italy will actually approve your permit."

Good luck!

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

codybrandy
  7/17/2016 03:12 EST

JacksterJam, Thank you so much...I will take my papers down in Aug...good luck with your own renewal...you addressed all my concerns, C

guestuser
  7/17/2016 03:15 EST

Your welcome. Good luck and safe travels!

guestuser
  7/17/2016 03:17 EST

You're welcome. Good luck and safe travels!

Umbertomar
  7/24/2016 10:06 EST

Regarding renewal of PDS, I did so recently. As we know, different officials require different documents. Since I was going to be out of Italy for some of the processing time for my PDS, I retained a lawyer to be a contact point for the Questura and I visited te Questura and told them of my travel schedule. I submitted my documents, same as my original permesso only updated. I was required to have a sworn translation of the English documents, which I provided. During the time that I applied for the new PDS, the responsible Commisioner of the province changed and required that the sworn translation of the English documents be legalized by the Italian Consulate in the US. I learned of the "new" requirement while I was out of Italy from my lawyer.
I applied for my PDS Renewal on 5/18/2015 and finally received it on 10/28/2015.
I guess the only lesson is to check with the Questura on documentary requirements. Also, I was out of Italy when my first PDS was granted and I asked that the Questura hold it for me and they did so.

Umbertomar
  7/24/2016 10:06 EST

Regarding renewal of PDS, I did so recently. As we know, different officials require different documents. Since I was going to be out of Italy for some of the processing time for my PDS, I retained a lawyer to be a contact point for the Questura and I visited te Questura and told them of my travel schedule. I submitted my documents, same as my original permesso only updated. I was required to have a sworn translation of the English documents, which I provided. During the time that I applied for the new PDS, the responsible Commisioner of the province changed and required that the sworn translation of the English documents be legalized by the Italian Consulate in the US. I learned of the "new" requirement while I was out of Italy from my lawyer.
I applied for my PDS Renewal on 5/18/2015 and finally received it on 10/28/2015.
I guess the only lesson is to check with the Questura on documentary requirements. Also, I was out of Italy when my first PDS was granted and I asked that the Questura hold it for me and they did so.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

guestuser
  7/24/2016 10:17 EST

Umbertomar, I'm not sure that I understood you correctly. You submitted your documents for the renewal while you were in Italy, but they then required that the Italian translation be "legalized" by an Italian Consulate in the U.S.?

Umbertomar
  7/24/2016 15:18 EST

Correct !!

guestuser
  7/24/2016 15:22 EST

Wow! I've never heard of that before. I know 3 people who've renewed their PdiS in the last six months and none of them were required to do that, nor was I. If you don't mind sharing, in which city do you live?

maluza86
  7/24/2016 23:43 EST

I've heard of strange requirements, but this one tops the cake! How can they expect you to travel back to the US to get a sworn translation from an Italian Consulate? Is there more to the story?

Sergios
  7/25/2016 01:15 EST

During my citizenship process I was asked to have my marriage certificate translated at a consulate as well. Instead I had the document translated by a certified translator, with bollo and registration in Palermo and it was accepted. I think you are dealing with an ignorant official. The certificate did already have an apostile. Does yours? Is that possibly the problem?

Umbertomar
  7/25/2016 03:35 EST

I did not have to travel back to the US. I mailed the docs to the Italian Consulate with $9.50 per page with a self addresses prepaid return envelope., the consulate legalized the docs and sent them back to me. I then filed them with the Questura.

Umbertomar
  7/25/2016 03:39 EST

None of documents ever had an apostile, although the first set of documents were sworn translations with a bollo.
My lawyer commented that the requirement for legalization by the US consulate did not make any sense.

guestuser
  7/25/2016 03:48 EST

Was the Questura in question able to show you a regulation/policy that required you to have an Italian Consulate in the U.S. legalize your translations for the renewal of the PdiS? I go with the flow regarding some requirements, but others move me to question the person making the demand, not that it always gets me very far. Ha!

DoppioCittadino
  7/25/2016 09:09 EST

Probably because the documents did not have apostilles...

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Italy GuideLiving in Italy Guide

Expats in Italy discuss the pros and cons of living in Italy. From bureaucracy to expensive cities, Italy can be a challenge. Most expats find that the amazing food, charming countryside, beautiful beaches and public healthcare make up for the cons.

Italy Forum Italy Forum
Join our Italy forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Italy.

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Best Places to Live in Italy Best Places to Live in Italy

If you're considering a move to Italy, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Italy in 2023.

Healthcare in ItalyHealthcare in Italy

An overview of the healthcare system in Italy - public and private hospitals, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), getting your Tessera Sanitaria (healthcare card), Covid-19 entry requirements, vaccinations for Italy, prescription medication availability and more.

Cost of Living in ItalyCost of Living in Italy

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Italy.

Moving to ItalyMoving to Italy Guide

Expats moving to Italy envision a romantic lifestyle in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, it is important to make sure that you do comprehensive research and fully understand what it will mean to move to the city, town or village you choose.

Real Estate in ItalyReal Estate in Italy

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Italy.

Pros Cons of Living in ItalyPros & Cons of Living in Italy

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Italy.

Retiring in ItalyRetiring in Italy

Advice for people retiring in Italy.

Visa and Residency ItalyItaly Visa & Residency Guide

Expats share their experiences obtaining residency in Italy. They discuss the ins and outs of the applying for the permesso di soggiorno, recent travel issues, permanent residency in Italy and more.

10 Tips for Living in Italy10 Tips for Living in Italy

If you've recently arrived in Italy, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Italy.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help others in Italy by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal