Choosing Italy as your abroad research country is an excellent idea, but the important thing is what you are going there to research. However,
Consider the weather condition of the country, Like some people may be used to the seasons of the country, while some may not. Though it may not get as hot or cold as in some places around the globe, there are significant temperature changes throughout the year. The country of Italy is more of a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Northern Italy experiences cooler temperatures compared to southern Italy and along the coast. On average, the coldest temperatures in Italy are found to be in the 30s (Fahrenheit), and the hottest temperatures reach the 80s or 90s.
Throughout the year, Italy does experience rainfall, with more rain in the south and along the coast. Keeping the climate and weather patterns in mind, it’s a good idea to consider when and where you will be located, so you’ll know what to bring when researching abroad in Italy.
What is a Research?
Research is “creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge.” It involves collecting, organizing, and analyzing evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by attentiveness to controlling sources of bias and error. A research project may be an expansion of past work in the field. Research may replicate elements of previous projects or the project to test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments.
What is a research Visa?
If you are a third-country national researcher, this Visa allows you to enter Italy to work as a researcher for Italian Universities or Italian Research Institutes for a short or long-term stay. It is issued based on a hosting agreement. This activity can be self-employment work, payed-employment work or fellowship. This VISA is issued primarily than other VISAs and must be used within six months from its withdrawal.
The eligibility for a Research visa:
For an alien to be eligible for this visa, you have to possess the following:
- A graduate from a higher institution.
- Must be twenty years and above.
- You must not be an ex-convict.
- The Italian Research center must have an agreement with the applicant institution.
The Requires Documents for the Visa:
For a foreigner to apply for a research visa in Italy, prepare the following requires documents.
1. National visa application form.
Each applicant or representative must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each section. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. Photograph.
A recent, passport-size, color photograph taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid passport.
Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than ten years ago will not be accepted.
The Consulate keeps the applicant’s passport posted back to the holder at the end of the procedure. Applicants must provide a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope (with full name and address), along with the visa application documents, and fill in this form in a new window.
4. Residence permit.
Original and a copy of the residence permit issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, which you want to carry on the research.
5. Criminal record check certificate.
Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or country of residence for the past five years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, submitted with an official translation into Spanish.
This certificate cannot be over three months unless it specifies a more prolonged expiration.
For UK Criminal Records, submit ACRO Certificate.
These certificates must be legalized through the Spanish Representations in the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalized. Sworn translation into Spanish is also required.
6. Proof of residence in the consular district.
The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district. To verify your consular district, please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate.
7. Proof of the representative’s identity and capacity.
Suppose the visa application is submitted through a representative. In that case, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and the power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when applying. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, submitted with an official translation into the English language.
8. Payment of the visa fee.
A visa fee payment is compulsory and must be made simultaneously when submitting a visa application. The fee must be paid in local currency, subject to regular changes due to currency fluctuations.
Validity of the Research visa:
The residence permit issued to conduct research activities in Italy has the duration of the research program.
At the end of the research program, the researcher can state their immediate willingness to be employed at the Job Centre of the area of residency and apply for a residence permit for expected working activity, having a maximum duration of one year. This permit can be converted into a work residence permit if the researcher finds a working activity.
The residence permit is renewable under the same substantive conditions as the issuance of the first one, as long as the foreign national is never absent from the Italian territory for longer than six continuous months.
The applicant can renew the residence permit independently or be assisted by us.
After five years of continuous registered legal residency in Italy, the applicant would be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.
The Duration to Obtain the Visa:
The expected time frame to obtain the Research visa is approximately two months from the application. Once the researcher obtains the visa, they can travel to Italy, apply for a residence permit and reside there legally.
Renewing the residence permit:
A new agreement must be signed to renew your residence permit for research purposes.
Essential: the residence permit “ricercatore” (researcher) cannot be converted into “studente” (student). If you want to enroll in a degree program, you must return to your country and apply for a visa for study purposes.
Read also Italy Religious work visa here.
Bottom Lines:
The Italy research visa is an article that analyzes what a foreigner should do before moving to research in Italy.
The article further explains the meaning of research, the meaning of a research visa, the eligibility for the visa, the requirements for the visa, the validity for the visa, the duration to obtain the visa, and how to renew your residence permit before carrying out your research in the country of Italy.
