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Visa for Scientific Research in Italy

Visa for Scientific Research in Italy

Foreign citizens can enter Italy based on various types of visas. Among these, the scientific research visa is quite sought by certain categories of visitors. Among them, students and scientists the most important categories.

Obtaining a scientific research visa for Italy implies certain steps, among which filing various application forms and complete some formalities. Our immigration lawyers in Italy can offer more information on the scientific research visa. We can also help foreign citizens with their applications for Italian scientific research visas. You can also obtain a residence permit in Italy based on this type of visa, however, it will be a temporary one.

Conditions for obtaining a scientific research visa in Italy

According to Italian legislation, a scientific research visa can be obtained by certain categories of foreign citizens. They must comply with certain qualifications and must submit proof of these qualifications.

Here are the conditions for a successful application of an Italian scientific research visa:

  1. those applying for such a visa must have high-level education which can be completed by a doctorate;
  2. the applicant must first obtain an approval from an Italian scientific institute approved by the Ministry for Education, University and Research;
  3. the applicant must also prepare a scientific project which is sanctioned by the Italian institute;
  4. the institute or other entity inviting the foreign researcher must also comply with certain conditions before issuing the invitation;
  5. the Italian entity must draft a reception/hosting agreement and offer an employment contract to the foreign applicant;
  6. the institute must handle the travel expenses and health insurance of the foreign researcher applying for the visa.

When it comes to the employment conditions which must be satisfied by the Italian institute inviting the foreign researcher, there are a few requirements it must comply with. Among these, the entity must ensure it has sufficient funds to complete the research project. Then, it must the salary of the foreign employee must be double that the monthly social security allowance granted by the Italian state.

Our immigration lawyers in Italy can offer more information on the requirements the entity inviting a foreign citizen must comply with when applying for a scientific research visa. We can also assist in obtaining an employment permit in Italy. However, this type of visa does not secure Italian citizenship.

Filing the application for an Italian scientific research visa

The scientific research visa must be obtained even if the foreign scientist has a residence permit in Italy or has come to Italy based on a different type of visa. This is because the visa will act as a temporary work permit.

The Italian scientific research visa can be obtained for a period of less than 3 months or longer than 3 months, case in which short, respectively long-terms visas are issued.

The application must be filed with the Immigration Department in Italy by a representative of the institute no matter if the foreign citizen is in Italy or not.

In the case of foreign citizens who do not reside in Italy, an application must also be submitted with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home countries.

Compared to other types of Italian visas, the scientific research visa is easier to obtain, and the procedure is mainly completed by the institution inviting the researcher.

If you need any information about the Italian scientific research visa, our lawyers are at your disposal with complete information. We can also guide you with the application for a residence permit in Italy.

We can also assist if you want to apply for Italy citizenship by investment.

The list of documents for obtaining a scientific research visa in Italy

The following documents need to be filed when applying for a scientific research visa for Italy:

  • two application forms for long or short-stay visas are required when coming to Italy for research purposes;
  • the passport in original, but also a copy of it is required (the validity of the passport must be at least 3 months);
  • three passport-sized photographs which cannot be older than 3 months at the time of the application;
  • the Italian residence permit (for applicants which have such a document issued by the Italian authorities);
  • the hosting agreement signed by the institute inviting the foreign researcher to Italy;
  • the flight ticket, the proof of accommodation and the employment contract which covers the terms mentioned above.

Once arrived in Italy, the foreign citizen must register with the police department in the city where he or she will stay. The same requirement applies to citizens of EU and non-EU countries.
It is important to mention that a scientific research visa can be converted into a family reunification visa or elective residence permit.

Please contact our immigration lawyers if you need help in applying for a scientific research visa in Italy. We can also advise on Italian citizenship matters.

Persons who want to obtain citizenship in Italy must be aware of the fact that they have to pay a processing fee upon the registration for citizenship.

The value of the fee is of EUR 300 – we refer here only at the processing fee charged by the institutions, but you can expect a higher cost when adding the notarization of various documents and other legal fees that can appear along the way.

We invite you to contact us if you want to move to Italy regardless of the intended duration of your stay. Our immigration lawyers can provide tailored assistance to all foreigners.

You can rely on us if you need to apply for a short-term stay visa or a long-term one, as well as on the process of obtaining a residence permit, where the case may be. We can, of course, represent businessmen.

All foreign nationals who are businessmen and investor can contact us for in-depth legal assistance and legal representation in the process of applying for a Golden Visa in Italy or any other type of visa that allows foreigners to develop a business activity here.

Please contact us for information on the overall cost of the investment and the costs and fees associated with the immigration formalities.