VADEMECUM FOR INTERNATIONAL PhD STUDENTS

BEFORE ARRIVING IN ITALY

VISA APPLICATION

Non-EU citizens who have participated in the competition to attend the Interuniversity PhD Program in Sustainable Land Management – GST, a collaboration between the University of Bari Aldo Moro and the Polytechnic University of Bari with administrative headquarters at the University of Bari, must first apply for a VISA to enter Italy. The VISA application is done through the Universitaly Platform and one must contact the Italian diplomatic-consular representations in their country, presenting a passport. The VISA to apply is for study purposes and requires passing the admission exam for the study course. Only after obtaining this VISA can one proceed with university enrollment.

In the following, what needs to be done is listed:

You must follow the Procedures issued by the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research for “Entry, Residency and Enrolment at Higher Education Institutions for Students Requiring VISAS for higher Education Courses in Italy“ by submitting your pre-enrolment request through Universitaly Platform.

If you have been admitted to the Ph.D. programme for which you have applied, Research Doctorate Unit will approve your submission on Universitaly Platform and will attach, within your Universitaly request, the admission letter.

After the approval of your pre-enrolment request, the Italian Diplomatic Authority (Embassy/Consulate) in your Country of residence will check, review and analyze your study VISA request. If the Embassy/Consulate accepts your request, it will issue an entry VISA for study purposes.

Before living, it is important to bring with you an economic amount that can cover approximately the first two months (for food and accomodation), as the disbursement of the scholarship will not be immediate.

IN ITALY

HEALTHCARE IN ITALY

EU students who do not have the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or a Certificate of Entitlement must obtain private health insurance valid in Italy or register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) where provided, through Local Health Authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale - ASL). The registration to our NHS entitles to receive the same healthcare services as any Italian citizen.

Non-EU students must also register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) or have valid health insurance in Italy.

The duration of the residence permit for study is up to one year. A shorter duration may be due to various factors including the duration of health coverage: the residence permit issued will never be longer than the health insurance or registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

For further clarification, refer to the website https://www.universitaly.it/vivere-in-italia.

RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION

Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit for study within 8 working days from their arrival by following the new procedure on the Immigration Portal (Questura). The kit, which includes forms and instructions for filling them out, can be picked up at designated post offices (Sportello Amico). The completed application kit must be submitted to one of the post offices displaying the Sportello Amico logo along with:

A photocopy of the passport (only the pages with personal data and VISA)

Four passport-sized photographs

Documentation related to the chosen course of study specifying its duration and stamped by the Italian diplomatic representation that issued the VISA

A copy of the receipt for the payment of health insurance valid for the duration of the residence permit. EU citizens do not need a residence permit. They can stay in Italy for up to 3 months without formalities provided they have a valid identity document for travel. After 3 months, they must register at the Anagrafe (Register Office) of the municipality where they live. At the Register Office, the following must be presented:

Passport or identity card;

Self-certification proving university enrollment;

A photocopy of documentation proving the availability of sufficient financial resources, such as a scholarship certificate or bank account statement;

A copy of the receipt for health insurance payment.

All students are invited to consult the Italian Diplomatic Authority in the Country of residence and carefully read the communication issued by the Italian University and Research Ministry for Study VISA and Residence Permit Procedures.

TAX CODE APPLICATION

The tax code (codice fiscale) represents the identification tool for citizens in dealings with entities and public administrations and is essential, for example, for completing enrollment, opening a bank account, requesting a health card, or signing a rental contract.

The request for a tax code for international students or non-resident guests must be made either personally by the individuals concerned or by proxy at the offices of the Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) by filling out a specific form online.

COMPLETION OF ENROLLMENT

For the completion of enrollment, foreign citizens who are not residents in Italy must submit to the Research Doctorate Unit, in addition to a valid residence permit or a copy of the application submitted to the competent authorities and the Italian tax code, the following certificates within 30 days from the date of enrollment:

a) birth certificate;
b) citizenship certificate;
c) certificate of enjoyment of civil and political rights in the state of belonging or origin;
d) certificate equivalent to the general certificate of the criminal record issued by the competent authority of the state of which the foreign candidate is a citizen.

Certificates issued by the competent authorities of the state to which the foreigner belongs must comply with the regulations in force in that state, and the signatures on them must be legalized by the competent Italian consular authorities. Certificates issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by an Italian translation certified as conforming to the foreign text, prepared by the competent diplomatic and consular representation or by an official translator. For further clarification, refer to the website of the doctoral course of interest or send an email to: dottorato@uniba.it.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Bank Account

If you need to open a bank account while in Italy, simply go to a branch office of any bank with the following documents: tax code, passport, postal receipts of the residence permit application, residence permit (if already available), certificate of your enrolment at University of Bari. Bank account terms and conditions vary from bank to bank: in most cases, a debit card (Bancomat) is issued as well as a cheque-book (libretto degli assegni). In some banks a small deposit of money is required for openingthe account. In any case it is advisable to contact the banks directly to acquire the necessary information considering that each institute can offer different solutions.

INPS (National pension Institute)

University of Bari pays social security taxes on the Ph.D. scholarship. Therefore, it is necessary that all Ph.D. students are registered at the Italian National Institute for Social Security (INPS).

Equivalence of foreign qualification

For the enrolment of Ph.D. students, candidates are asked to upload their original degrees certificates along with its official/legalized translation (in English) or its Declaration of Value (issued by the Italian Diplomatic Authority in the Country where the degree was obtained). If you don’t have the official/legalized translation nor the Declaration of Value, you can consult CIMEA and ask for a Statement of Comparability (attestato di comparabilità). Alternatively, you can attach the Diploma Supplement if your qualification has been awarded in an EU Country (or in any of the Countries taking part in the Bologna Process).

Further information about the city and services for international students can be found at the website:

https://www.uniba.it/it/studenti/segreterie-studenti/studenti-stranieri