The University must submit the application for authorisation to the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione at the Prefecture (SUI) responsible for the territory using the on-line procedure on the Ministry of the Interior website www.interno.it for which this University is registered and is enabled for access.

If the foreign researcher is not already in Italy for other reasons (for example, with a residence permit for study) it is important to start the process of applying for the nulla osta at least two and a half months before the arrival of the researcher.

The Prefecture, after obtaining the opinion of the Police Headquarters on absence of reasons for denying the foreign citizen concerned entry into Italian territory, will issue authorisation to carry out the scientific research specified in the application. Usually, it takes around 20/25 days from submission of the application to receive notification of an appointment at the Prefecture.

What should a Visiting Professor do when is given a research assignment by Politecnico di Milano?

• give copy of his/her passport to the Visiting Professors Welcome Office
• fill in the form for data collection 
• communicate his/her address during his/her stay in Italy
• sign and return the original Convenzione di Accoglienza

Please note that for the nulla osta of the Prefecture, the applicant must demonstrate that the accommodation where he/she will reside while in Italy is suitable to accommodate the researcher and possible family reunification. Where the accommodation chosen is a university partner residence or managed by Politecnico di Milano, will be the Residential Service Area itself to provide a declaration that the accommodation fits the parameters of the regional law.

If the researcher will stay at a private residence, a Certificate of proof of suitability of the accommodation must be provided to the Prefecture offices.

What is a Certificate of proof of suitability of the accommodation and how do you obtain it?

It is a certificate issued by the Municipality, at the request of the person concerned, that provides proof that a given property is fit for use as accommodation and the number of people who may live there. The maximum number of people who may live in an apartment is established by a Lombardy Regional Council law.

Only the person who has signed the contract of ownership, lease or gratuitous loan of the property may apply for the certificate. In the city of Milan, the Municipal Zone Offices (Uffici di Zona) issue this certificate, in about 20/30 days, but the Sportello Unico della Prefettura accepts a copy of the submitted application together with the documents regarding the accommodation (rental or lease agreement duly registered).

Once the authorisation has been obtained, the original will be immediately forwarded to the foreign citizen who must give it to the Italian Consular Authorities in his/her country of origin to obtain an entry visa.