If you are waiting for the renewal and/or granting of a residence permit, you are nevertheless entitled to remain in Italy and your rights respected
The Ministry of the Interior’s Directive n.11050/M, of August 5, 2006, states that while the request of a residence permit is being processed you have the right to remain in Italy and keep enjoying all the legal rights connected to that request.
All foreigners who have a residence permit have received at least once a “voucher” or “receipt” when they have filed for renewal or the conversion of the document. Both have the same value: they are temporary certificates in effect till the definite permit is granted.
This is the difference between them:
- The “receipt” is issued by the post office (Sportello Amico).
- The “voucher” is issued directly by the police (Questura.)
Let’s examine better what they are, how you obtain them, and what they allow you to do.
The “receipt” is the document that you receive when you file the request for a residence permit, its renewal or conversion at the Post Office – Sportello Amico.. (A special info point set aside to process these types of requests.)
A receipt is issued because the time period before the residence permit is granted is quite lengthy even though the statute foresees 20 days for its emission (D.P.R. 394/1999.)
Possession of a receipt demonstrates that you have filed a request and are, therefore, entitled to all the benefits and rights that come with the residence permit.
The following are examples of residence permits types for which a receipt is issued:
Seasonal and occasional employment
Adoption and custody
Religious reasons
Education
Political asylum renewal, subsidiary protection
Training or apprenticeship
While waiting for employment or citizenship
Residence Card (today “EU Residence permit for long-term residents”)
Self-employment
Family reasons
Status Update (ex: adding of children, name change) …e … and many other instances.
STEP 1 – Postal Kit Go to the post office and get the “Yellow Kit.” It contains the forms for the request. STEP 2 – Compilation Compile the forms and return the open envelope to the Sportello Amico. If you have problems consult a Patronato (citizen advice office,) CAF (tax assistance center) or an association familiar with the issue. STEP 3 – Summon to Police District You will be given an appointment to appear at the local police district to give your fingerprints.. STEP 4 – Check Status of Request To check the status of your request go to PortaleImmigrazione.it or consult the page of the Polizia di Stato. |
The voucher is issued when the request is filed directly at the local police station instead of the post office.
It contains the petitioner’s personal data (name, date of birth, photo, the police’s identification mark.).
It is the equivalent of a “receipt,” and it allows you to live and work legally in Italy while waiting for the official residence permit.
Usually it is issued to those who file a request for:
International protection (6 months yellow permit)
First instance of political asylum permit
First instance of subsidiary protection permit
First instance of special protection permit
Permit for a minor
Permit for medical reasons
You can get a voucher by going to the local police district or via a legal request if you are in a reception shelter. In some cities Questura allows online reservations.
Yes, voucher and receipt have legal standing (Art. 1 of the D.P.R. December 28, 2000, n. .445.) They are certificates issued by the Italian public administration as temporary substitutes for the residence permit.
NB: Till the moment when the new permit is issued, the voucher or receipt stands for the residence permit. All rights granted by the residence permit are in effect for the entire period that the request for renewal is in progress. These rights are abolished if the renewal is denied, revoked or cancelled by the police.
You are in possession of a voucher or receipt for a residence permit request, you can carry out many activities just as you would with an official residence permit. Until your request is processed, you are a legal resident in Italy. Some activities are determined by the type of permit.
Therefore you can:
- Work regularly
NB: If you have petitioned for international protection, you can start working 60 days after the petition was filed.
- Enroll at a school or university
Beware: Some universities do not allow asylum seekers to register as full time students, but only allow them to take single courses.
- Sign a lease
- Get a drivers license
- Open a checking account
- Register at the local Office of Vital Statistics and get an identity card
- Enroll in the National Health Service (SSN)
- Register at Centro per l’impiego (employment exchange)
- Makes you eligible for unemployment insurance and other INPS welfare benefits.
- Return to your country of origin without passing through other Schengen nations.
NB: Those who have petitioned for international protection cannot leave Italian soil. If you have been granted international protection (as a refugee or with the status of subsidiary protection,) and decide to visit your country of origin on your return Italian authorities can verify the reasons for the trip. If the situation in your country of origin is no longer considered dangerous, your status can be revoked.
- Ask leave for family reunification
Beware: Not all residence permits allow family reunification. Those who have petitioned for protection cannot apply for family reunification.
See: Art. 5, paragraph 9-bis, D.Lgs. 286/1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act); Interior Ministry Memorandum, October 17, 2006.
Yes.
The statute (Art. 5, comma 9-bis of the Consolidated Act on provisions for the regulation of immigration,) states that you can work while waiting for the granting or renewal of a residence permit if you are in possession of an official receipt or voucher, proof of a request having been filed.
Who has petitioned for asylum is allowed to work during the waiting period?
Yes, but only after a 60 day waiting period. Who has applied for international protection can start working 60 days after the date the petition was filed if an official decision has not yet been reached.
The voucher and/or personal certificate (model C3) of the petition for asylum is the equivalent of a temporary residence permit.
See: Art. 4, Paragraph 3, D.Lgs. 142/201.
Yes.
The registration allows you to establish your residence, get an identity card, and enroll in the National Health Service. You can register if you show:
- A valid passport (This is not required of asylum seekers and holders of international protection;)
- An entry visa (This is not required of asylum seekers and holders of international protection;)
- Receipt or voucher of the residence permit request;
- A copy of the permit (This is in case you have entered the country for work or family reunification.)
See: Interior Ministry Memorandum n. 43 of August 2, 2007.
Yes.
With the receipt and/or voucher of the residence permit request (even if it is the first or a renewal) you can enroll in the National Health Service (SSN.) This entitles you to having assigned a general practitioner, to receive health care and assistance.
Consult Juma Map FAQ on The Right to Health in Italy
Yes.
To open a checking account at a bank or post office, it is sufficient to have the receipt and/or voucher and a fiscal code.
Residence is not required.
Asylum seekers can also do it with a receipt and/or voucher of the international protection request (along with photo and personal info.)
See: Memorandum ABI of April 19, 2019.
Yes.
INPS has clarified (Bulletin July 25, 2022, Bulletin n. 189, April 22, 2024,) that whoever has filed for renewal of the permit is entitled to receive monetary benefits such as NASpI, Dis-Coll, bonus asilo nido, assegno unico, etc.
The benefits are in force until a decision is reached on the renewal or conversion.
Yes.
With a receipt for residence permit request you can:
- Sign up for driver education;
- Renew or convert a foreign license; ● Get vehicle registration or duplicates.
See: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Memorandum of November 6, 2023.
The rules about travelling depend upon what type of permit has been requested (or granted:)
- Who has petitioned for international protection cannot leave Italy.
- Who has already been granted the status of refugee or subsidiary protection has to be very careful about going back to the country of origin: it could jeopardize the status of your protection.
Those who have other types of permit can go back to his/her country of origin, but it has to be on a direct flight, without stops or transiting through other Schengen nations.
For example: You can travel to and from Italy
without transiting in other Schengen countries. It’s possible to stopover in countries outside the European Union if your passport is valid for admission to those countries. Beware: The residence permit is the equivalent of a visa only within the Schengen Area; the receipt or voucher are not recognized as a visa by other Schengen nations. During your trip you must carry: ● A valid passport; ● The expired residence permit; ● The receipt from a post office or Questura (voucher) that proves that the request for a permit or its renewal has been filed. It is not permitted to travel to other Schengen countries for tourism, employment or other reasons until the new permit has been approved unless it has been especially authorized. In case of an emergency or special need, the Questura can authorize a temporary paper residence permit to allow travel within the Schengen Area even before the procedure has finished. If you are waiting for the first residence permit: If you are in possession of a long-stay visa (type D,) travel is allowed in the other nations that are part of the European Union for a maximum of 90 days every six months but only during the period of validity of the visa. When the visa expires, travel outside Italy is not permitted. See: Ministry of the Interior Directive of August 5, 2006; regulations on travelling within the Schengen Area; administrative procedure of Italian Questura (police.) ARCI is responsible for these FAQ starting from the content of the Migrant Integration Portal: |
