Residence permits are issued for specific duration, and they can be renewed based on the type of residence permit itself. The renewal process is very similar regardless of the type of current residence permit you hold.
You need to prompt action at 60 days before the permit expiration, and you need to renew your permit either at any post office (Check for Sportello Amico service) or at the local Questura (immigration office).
There is no fine to prompt the action later, however if you are found with an expired residency permit of at least 60 days with no renewal, you can be fined and expelled from Italy.
Which are the steps to renew your Residence Permit?
Firstly, you need to prepare all the renewal documents based on the type of Residence Permit you are currently benefiting from. In any circumstances, there are some documents you must prepare.
- Postal kit filing and signature
- Passport copy
- Marca da bollo € 16
- Current residence Permit
- Documents proving your current domicile
- 3 passport size photographs
Nonetheless, the Permesso di Soggiorno cannot be renewed if the applicant meets any of the following conditions:
– Interrupts his stay in Italy for more than 6 months (for annual residence permits) or for more than half of the permit’s term (for durations of two years or more). If the applicant has serious or proven reasons (i.e. health risks, life threats etc.) or needed to fulfil military obligations, this rule does not apply.
– Fails to meet the minimum income requirement;
– Receives a criminal sentence for crimes banning entry in Italy.
Once you submit all the required documents to the local post office, and pay the € 80.46 fee, you receive a post office receipt and your renewal date at the questura. The documents are then submitted by the post office to the local questura.
The post office receipt serves as a temporary residence permit, and you can use it to prove your legal stay in Italy, as well as board international planes and return to Italy with such a document.
What happens on the renewal date
On the renewal date you must show up at the immigration office at the time shown on the post office receipt, and wait for being called at the counter. Once at the counter you need to go through your documents and we advise you to have a copy of all the documents you already submit at the post office (just in case any paper gets lost).
The permesso di soggiorno needs then to be collected at the immigration office within 60 days from the appointment date.
You can normally track the process of your residence permit online.
Failure to show up at the appointment requires you to obtain a new appointment at the local questura.
