Visas & Permissions

CLIDA can assist and advise those students who require a STUDY VISA to study in Italy or those would like to obtain a PERMISSION OF STAY (Permesso di Soggiorno) for the purpose of prolonged study overseas. If you as a student are a citizen of the EU (European Union) you do not require a Visa but have to report to the Police Headquarters of Florence and apply for a Permission of Stay. If you are not a citizen of the EU, you require a STUDY VISA, obtainable at the Italian Consulate in your home country. Obtaining the visa and arriving in Italy, you need to get a PERMISSION TO STAY from the Questura (Police Headquarters) in Firenze.

Obtaining A Visa

You should contact the ITALIAN EMBASSY or CONSULATE in your country to determine exactly what is required for you to enter Italy as a foreign student. Take with you a copy of your ENROLMENT CERTIFICATE (a certified document from CLIDA confirming that you will be attending the school on a specified date).

CLIDA will send out the ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATE when they have received the fully completed STUDENT ENROLLMENT FORM and payment of the course/courses in full.

Important Note:

If your VISA is not issued on time, you must notify CLIDA prior to the commencement of your course with an authorized document from the Embassy stating that your VISA application was rejected. Without this authorized document, we cannot reimburse the deposit. Failure to notify the school prior to the commencement of your course, will result in the loss of your deposit and the annulment of your enrollment.

USA PLATFORM 3000 offers services for attaining a VISA. For more information visit: www.platform3000.com

Obtaining A Permission to Stay Document

Upon your arrival to Florence, if you have the STUDY VISA, you need to contact the QUESTURA DI FIRENZE (Florence’s Police Headquarters) and notify them of your presence in Italy. They have a department dedicated to the needs of foreign students and will be able to help you attain your PERMISSION OF STAY (Permesso di soggiorno) documents.

In order to obtain a PERMISSION OF STAY, you will need to take the following with you when you visit the QUESTURA:

The QUESTURA DI FIRENZE can be found at the following address:

Questura Di Firenze
Via Zara, 2
Florence, Italy

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  1. Three passport photos
  2. A photocopy of your passport
  3. Your ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATE from CLIDA validated by the Italian Consulate
  4. Your health insurance documents or the INA Heath Insurance for Urgent Hospital Care that can also be done in Florence.
  5. A revenue stamp of 14.62 €
  6. Your VISA issued by the Italian Embassy in your country
  7. A photocopy of your credit card or a financial guaranty