Foreigners who are not citizens of one of the European Union Member States, entering Italy to carry out scientific research, are permitted access only after obtaining an Entry Visa on their passports.

The Visa is the key to access which authorises non-EU foreigners to enter Italy, although it does not permit them to reside in our Country.

The purpose of the Visa is to permit a preventive assessment of the foreigner: after examining his/her qualifications, the Italian embassy or consulate will conduct security checks, consulting – using a worldwide visa network – the SIS (Schengen Information System) list of foreigners who cannot be admitted to the Schengen area.

Legislative Decree of 9 January 2008 no.17 modifies Legislative Decree 25 July 1998 no.286 of the Testo Unico sull’Immigrazione (the Italian law on immigration).

The new regulations state that foreigners who possess degrees (which in the Countries where they were obtained would give access to Doctorate courses) and who intend to enter Italy to carry out scientific research for a period longer than three months, must first obtain authorisation by the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (SUI) at the Prefecture Service for issue of an Entry Visa for scientific research.

The office of the Politecnico di Milano in charge to follow the application procedure for nulla-osta (clearance) at the territorial jurisdiction of the Prefecture Service (in the same territory where the research will be conducted) is the Visiting Professor Welcome Office. It is therefore extremely important to contact that office whenever that structure is determined to host a foreign researcher who held a research.

Acceptance agreement
Authorisation (nulla osta) for Scientific Research
Visa Application
Residence Permit
Countries Exempted from Visa

Foreign workers holding a valid residence permits for self-employment or employment, independently of the length of their stay have the right to apply for reunification visas for the following relatives:

• spouse
• underage children (including those of a spouse or those born outside marriage) of parents who are not married or who are legally separated, on condition that the other parent, if alive, has given his/her consent
• dependent children of age, when they are unable to earn their own living due to their state of health which involves permanent inability to provide for their own primary needs
• dependent parents who cannot rely on suitable family support in their Country of origin or in the country from which they come from.

Researchers who have the above requisites therefore can apply for family reunification visa using the computerised procedure available on the website on the Ministry of the Interior website www.interno.it in the “Immigration” section

Application Procedure
Accompanying Relatives
Residence Permit Application