If you’ve been studying in Italy and are now wondering, “What’s next?”, I’ve got some exciting news for you. I’ve navigated the process of converting my student residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per motivi studenti) into a job-seeking one (permesso di soggiorno per motivi ricerca di lavoro), and I’m here to guide you through it. On the other hand, if you haven’t make up your mind yet whether to move to Italy or not, read my article here.
How To Convert Permesso Di Soggiorno Studente to Ricerca Di Lavoro 🌟
After my studies, I stumbled upon this gem: Italy allows us to convert our student residence permit into a job-seeking one. It’s Italy’s way of saying, “We value your skills; why not contribute here?” And honestly, it’s a fantastic opportunity.
🚦Who Is Eligible to Apply for Permesso Di Soggiorno Ricerca di Lavoro?🚦
The job-seeking residence permit is governed by decree n.71/2018. Non-EU citizens who have obtained a higher education degree in Italy can request it, such as:
- Doctorate or Master’s degree (dottorato o master universitario)
- Bachelor’s degree or Specialist degree (laurea triennale o la laurea specialistica)
- First or second level academic diploma (diploma accademico di primo livello o di secondo livello)
- Higher technical diploma (diploma di tecnico superiore)
This permit, designed to allow the holder to find a job or start a business “consistent with the completed educational path,” lasts between 9 to 12 months.
What Documents Do I Need? Document Checklist
For you to apply for Permesso Di Soggiorno per motivi ricerca di lavoro, you will need to prepare the following documents:
- Passport
- Current Permesso di Soggiorno (per motivi studenti)
- Codice fiscale (tax code)
- Your degree certificate
- Residenza – read if you need one and how to apply in this blogpost
- Carta Identita (necessary for applying for the DID online, or you can also access the site using your SPID)
- Tessera Sanitaria (national health insurance) or any international insurance covering your stay
- DID online (dichiarazione di immediata disponibilità al lavoro) – an automatic certification of your immediate availability for work. Apply for your DID at the ANPAL website.
- Financial proof showing a minimum of €5,889 in your bank account
- €16 marca da bollo or revenue stamp (available at local tabacchi)
The Different Types of Permesso di Soggiorno and Their Code
There are many types of permesso di soggiorno, and each one serves a different purpose. Here’s what they are and the code related to each one.
| Code | Types / Motifs |
| 02 | Affidamento |
| 03 | Aggiornamento carta di soggiorno (cambio domicilio, stato civile, inserimento figli, cambio passaporto, aggiornamento foto) |
| 04 | Aggiornamento permesso di soggiorno (cambio domicilio, stato civile, inserimento figli, cambio passaporto) |
| 05 | Attesa occupazione |
| 06 | Atessa acquisto cittadinanza |
| 07 | Asilo rinnovo |
| 09 | Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo |
| 10 | Conversione permesso di soggiorno |
| 11 | Duplicato carta di soggiorno |
| 12 | Duplicato permesso di soggiorno |
| 13 | Famiglia |
| 14 | Famiglia minore |
| 15 | Lavoro autonomo |
| 16 | Lavoro subordinato |
| 17 | Lavoro casi particolari previsti art 27. Testo unico immigrazione |
| 18 | Lavoro subordinato-stagionale |
| 19 | Missione |
| 20 | Motivi religiosi |
| 21 | Residenza elettiva |
| 23 | Status apolidia rinnovo |
| 24 | Motivi di studio (art. 39 TUI) |
| 25 | Tirocinio formazione professionale |
| 27 | Ricercatore (art. 27 ter TUI) |
| 28 | Ricercatore – ricerca lavoro (art. 27 ter TUI) |
| 29 | Ricercatore – mobilita (art. 27 ter TUI) |
| 30 | Studente – Ricerca lavoro (art.39 bis. 1 TUI) |
| 31 | Studente (art. 39 bis TUI) |
| 32 | Alunno (art.39 bis TUI) |
| 33 | Tirocinante (art.39 bis TUI) |
Step-by-Step Breakdown of The Application Process 🛠
Document Roundup
- Start with the Poste Kit Giallo (Yellow Kit), filling out Module 1.
- Photocopy ALL the original documents mentioned above to include in the kit for Poste Italiane.
The Poste Italiane Pilgrimage
By now, visiting the Poste Italiane feels like a yearly pilgrimage for us non-EU foreigners. Here’s what to do:
- Present the original passport and residence permit.
- Pay €30.46 for the electronic residence permit (PSE) + €40 for a one-year permit + €30.46 for each child (if you have children).
- Ship the envelope (€30).
- Collect the shipping receipt, payment receipt, and Questura appointment details.
Questura Day – The Final Frontier:
Arrive at least 30 minutes early for your appointment. They’ll take your fingerprints and inform you about collecting your new permesso di soggiorno. Bring ALL the original documents you included in the yellow kit and 4 passport photos (plus 2 for each child, if applicable).
Golden Nuggets of Wisdom 📜
- Speaking Italian helps and will make your process 1,000 times smoother. Make sure you brush up on your Italian language skills.
- You’ll need to prove you have a certain financial means (at least €5,889 annually) and health insurance.
- If your degree certificate isn’t immediately available, don’t sweat it! You can submit it within sixty days of your request.
- If this feels overwhelming, consider hiring an immigration lawyer. It might cost around €150 or more, but they can expedite processes, like the notorious 6 to 9-month wait for a Questura appointment.
There you have it! My personal guide to converting your permesso di soggiorno for job searching, packed with all the nitty-gritty details, to help you transition seamlessly into the Italian job market. Just so you know, I managed the entire process myself, gathering information from local government websites like this one and the immigration portal. Plus, I’ve learned enough Italian to navigate through it all. Remember, every step is a learning experience. Embrace it, and here’s to your success in bella Italia! 🥂🍀
How to check if your permesso di soggiorno is ready for pick up at the police station?
You can check the questura website before coming down to pick up your permesso di soggiorno. Please note that sometimes, it doesn’t work. It happened to me once that the system kept saying it’s not available after 3 months and I had to go down to the police station to inquire about the status of my permesso.
Hello, thanks for this detailed blog! I am currently in the process of converting my student permesso di soggiorno into a permesso di ricerca lavoro. I went to the questura today for my appointment, but they said I am missing the DID online. I have now applied to the ANPAL portal and have my DID online document. Is there any additional documentation that I need from the CPI office before I go back to questura? Looking forward to your reply! Thanks .
Hi, sorry for the late reply. I’m not very active as this blog is just my side hobby. All the documents required that I remembered are all listed in my article. So if you have everything, you should be fine. Hope you have your permesso by now, good luck!
I graduated in October 2024, and my permesso has expired. I have a fingerprint appointment on March 25, 2025, and I am considering applying for a job search permit. However, my main concern is whether I will be able to switch back to a student permit once I enroll in my master’s program later this year.
Hi, sorry for my late reply. I’m not sure about the answer as I’m not an immigration expert. I would advise you to check with CAF or immigration expert. I’m just giving pointers in my specific case based on my experience to help other students. And I haven’t need to revert my permesso back to student, so I wouldn’t know. Sorry that I could not answer your question.
Hi,
I have a question. I have received permesso “attesta occupazione” after completing my master’s in Italy. Now, the company hired me but gave me the 1-year contract of “Tirocinio” (extra-curriculur or apprenticeship).
So , can I apply for work (lavoro sub-ordinato) with this? or if not (in which category It will convert)?
Thanks
Hi, sorry for the late reply. I’m not very active maintaining this blog as it is just my side hobby. I’m not sure for your case. I’m only familiar with permesso lavoro autonomo as I work freelance, and I do not know what category tirocinio would fall into. I would suggest you check with your nearby CAF or immigration expert. I think by the requirement of the lavoro subordinato, your tirocinio will fit the bill, but again I’m not immigration expert and I only write the article based on my personal experience and I never applied for permesso di lavoro subordinato). So CAF or immigration expert is your best bet.
Hi! Are you required to also present residence proof in the form of housing contract before converting the permesso?
Hi Nave, yes you will need to present your residenza, not just the housing contract. Here’s an article on how to apply for italian residenza and the process. Hope this helps!
Hi! Thank you for this article. I have a question. What if I graduate before my student permesso expires? Can I wait for its expiration and then apply for this?
Hi Mahan, yes, you can wait until 3 months before your student permesso expire and apply for ricerca di lavoro permesso. I said 3 months because the waiting time is usually 3 – 6 months to the next appointment at questura, at least here in Rome.