politecnico-di-milano-graduated-school-of-business-340x45

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Before arrival and during your studies, you will have a number of questions about living and studying in Milan.
Below we have attempted to answer some of your FAQs. We provide here general information only. More details can be found on dedicated pages of this website.

Please note that information on this page is for guidance only, and should not be treated as a complete statement of the law. Always enquire about your personal circumstances, as law and regulations are subject to change.

You can make an appointment with the ISO to further discuss the topic of your interest, by writing to iso@mip.polimi.it .

IMMIGRATION
ENROLLMENT
BUREAUCRATIC PROCEDURES
ACCOMMODATION
FACILITIES AND OTHER KEY FACTS

IMMIGRATION

WILL I REQUIRE A VISA?

NON-EU students will require a visa to study in Italy. Visa application can be filed no earlier than 3 months before your intended arrival in Italy.
If your stay is longer than 90 days, together with your visa, you will need to have your original admission letter validated by stamp at the Consulate or Embassy. The stamped admission letter will be returned to you at the time your visa is granted. Please ensure that you have received it when collecting your visa, as the original stamped document is required for the application of your permit of stay (residence permit for Italy) upon arrival in Milan. Some Consulates or Embassies would return a copy of the letter. This is fine too, provided there is the Embassy/Consulate stamp.

MY MASTER STARTS IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. WHEN DO I APPLY FOR MY ITALIAN VISA?

If your master starts in another country, you will first need to obtain a visa for that country following the guidelines of our partner School. You will be able to apply for your Italian visa later on. Depending on the documents you hold, you will be able to apply from the country of your first semester or from your home country. You will receive guidance from the ISO.

WHAT IS THE PERMIT OF STAY AND HOW DO I OBTAIN IT?

The permit of stay is the residence permit for Italy. All non-EU students who hold a D type visa (long stay) will need to apply for it upon arrival in Italy. You will receive full guidance during an orientation session at arrival. The student permit is granted for one year, renewable for the duration of your studies in Italy.

MAY I WORK ON MY STUDY PERMIT?

Yes, you can work part time up to 20 hours per week. You can take up internship with working hours not exceeding 40 hours per week. In Italy only. For work or internships in other EU countries you will need to obtain a relevant visa.

MAY I TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF ITALY WHILE WAITING FOR MY FIRST PERMIT OF STAY?

Yes, students with a valid study visa type D can travel throughout Italy and the Schengen Area.

HOW LONG MAY I STAY IN ITALY AND TRAVEL EUROPE WITH MY PERMIT OF STAY?

A permit of stay allows you to stay in Italy for the period covered by your permit and travel in all countries within the Schengen Area. On your Italian permit of stay, you can stay in another Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days every 6 months, for tourism only. If your studies are longer than the duration of your permit, you will need to renew it.

MAY I TRAVEL IN THE SCHENGEN AREA WHILST AWAITING MY RENEWED PERMIT OF STAY CARD?

No, you may not. With the receipt of your application for renewal of your permit of stay and your expired permit you may not travel in the Schengen area.

MAY I TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE SCHENGEN AREA WHILST AWAITING MY RENEWED PERMIT OF STAY CARD?

You may travel to your country of origin and re-enter Italy, provided that you do not travel through other countries in the Schengen area, not even in transit.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO RE-ENTER ITALY IF I ONLY HAVE THE POSTAL RECEIPT OF RENEWAL APPLICATION AND THE EXPIRED PERMIT?

Upon re-entry in Italy, you must have the postal receipt of your renewal application (assicurata), your expired permit of stay card, and your valid passport. You will need a direct flight to Italy as you are not allowed to transit in other Schengen countries. Border authorities may ask you to show additional documentation proving the reason of your stay in Italy (for instance, documentation proving your enrollment into your master). We advise you check again the above information before travelling.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO RENEW MY PERMIT BUT I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS TO COVER ME FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF MY STAY?

When applying for permit renewal, you will be required to show that you have enough funds for your stay. Your permit of stay will be granted for a duration as covered by your funds and health insurance. If you have funds, and health insurance for 6 months only, you will obtain a permit extension for 6 months.

WHAT DOCUMENT DO I NEED TO INCLUDE IN MY PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION IF I HAVE AN INTERNSHIP OFFER?

If you have an internship offer, you can request a study permit extension, to cover your internship period. You will need to include your internship agreement. If it is a paid internship (at least Euro 500 per month), you will not need to provide other proof of financial means. You need to have a valid permit to start your internship.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MY FAMILY TO STAY LEGALLY IN ITALY WHILE I AM STUDYING?

If you have arrived in Italy with your family, you may have the possibility of requesting family cohesion.
Importantly, before travelling, you will need to arrange a certificate proving your relationship to your family member (i.e. your marriage certificate or birth certificate for your children) translated and certified by the Italian Consulate/Embassy. When arranging accommodation, make sure you obtain a regular housing contract, registered at the Italian taxation office.

ENROLLMENT

WHAT DOES ENROLLMENT MEAN?

When we talk about ‘enrollment’, we are referring to the process students complete when they have handed in a number of mandatory documents to become a Politecnico di Milano student. Among these documents, there is the Statement of Comparability of your degree, your Italian fiscal code, your visa and permit of stay (for non-EU students) and other documents as indicated to you upon confirmation of your admission. You will receive a comprehensive guide from the ISO.

WHAT IS THE STATEMENT OF COMPARABILITY OF MY DEGREE AND HOW DO I OBTAIN IT?

Upon admission, you have to start the process for obtaining the statement of comparability. This document officially attests the validity of your degree in Italy and will enable you to enroll at Politecnico di Milano.
It can be obtained by requesting it to CIMEA, Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence. You can apply for it online by uploading your degree and transcripts and following their instructions.
We recommend that you start the procedure months in advance of the master’s start.

BUREAUCRATIC PROCEDURES

I AM A NON-EU STUDENT. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR LIVING IN ITALY?
  • Obtaining your Fiscal Code, the Italian tax file number and social security number via e-mail from the taxation office: about 1 week
  • Enrolling into the National Healthcare System (elective): within few weeks of arrival
  • Obtaining your Permit of Stay: a few months
  • Obtaining residency by enrolling into the population registry: currently a few months after obtaining the permit of stay
  • Opening a bank account: a few months
WHAT IS RESIDENCY?

Residency is the act of enrolling into the population registry of the city where you live. It is a requirement for non-EU students to convert your study permit into a work permit, upon receipt of a job offer. The process is straight forward but long and requires some paperwork. Importantly, you will need a regular housing contract, which allows you taking residency at the indicated premises.

ACCOMMODATION

WHAT ARE THE AREAS CLOSE TO MIP AND WHICH AREAS IN MILAN ARE UNSAFE?

Areas close to MIP include: Bovisa, Affori, Certosa/ Quarto Oggiaro/Villapizzone, Cadorna, Garibaldi, Porta Venezia, Centro, Fiera, Sempione, Repubblica, Stazione Centrale.
Unsafe areas include: Via Padova, Pasteur, Via Varesina, Baggio and Barona. Also, some streets in the Certosa Quarto Oggiaro and Villapizzone area, Central Station can be a bit unsafe, especially at night.

WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS WHEN SEARCHING FOR PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION?

Ideally, travel time from your domicile to MIP should not exceed 45 minutes on public transport. Your contract should always be registered at the Taxation Office to be valid. Be wary of landlords not wanting to sign and register a contract. Use your best judgement to avoid fraud; negotiate a low payment prior to arrival and ask for your landlord's id.
Non-EU students should be particularly aware that they need to obtain a housing contract that will allow them to register their residence at the specific address. It is recommended that you enquire with the landlord or accommodation provider before committing to rent.

FACILITIES AND OTHER KEY FACTS

IS THERE A LIBRARY AT THE MIP CAMPUS?

The Politecnico di Milano University Library Services comprise online resources and several libraries located in the different Campuses. Building 28, just 2 minutes away from MIP building, hosts a two-floor library open Monday to Sunday from 08:00 am to 09:00 pm. Enrolled students are automatically enabled to use library services. You can access the Online resources at www.biblio.polimi.it with your Polimi credentials.

IS THERE A CANTEEN ON CAMPUS?

The Canteen at our campus is located at Via La Masa 34, Building 24. It functions as a café, self-service restaurant and pizzeria. Opening hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD TO SCHOOL?

There is a nice eating area at the ground floor of MIP Building. Outside the building you find benches and a small area with several microwaves. More microwaves are located in Building B12, Via La Masa 34. There are also a number of vending machines in the building, for snacks and drinks.

ARE THERE ANY STUDY AREAS AT SCHOOL?

MIP facilities, in Building 26, comprise study areas organized as cubicles, at each floor. Additional study areas are in Building 27. The canteen is also used as a study room outside lunch hours, from 08:00 to 11:30 am, and from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR IF I AM NOT FEELING GOOD? DOES MIP SUPPORT ME IN ANY WAY?

In case of a medical emergency, you should go directly to the nearest hospital to get immediate care. If it is not an emergency, you can download our document and read about how to go about seeing a doctor and book an appointment. When visiting an emergency ward at the hospital expect long waits, especially if you do not need immediate attention.
Students are encouraged to enroll in the national healthcare system. You will receive guidance at an orientation session. Hospitals might charge you for their treatments if you are not enrolled, and you will need to claim expenses on your private insurance.

For emergencies related to Covid-19, please visit our dedicated webpage.

HOW CAN I CONTACT STUDENTS FROM MIP?

You can get in touch with the MIP community by joining one of the following groups: Alumni MIP (@AlumniMIP), Alumni school of Management Politecnico di Milano (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alumni-school-of-management-politecnico-milano-53903a144/) or Alumni school of Management (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/21062). If you need further assistance, please write an email to alumnirelations@mip.polimi.it or visit https://www.som.polimi.it/en/alumni/

WHAT ARE THE MONEY MATTERS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

You should organize your funds so you can access your money while in Italy. Credit cards are widely accepted at businesses and shops, with the exception of government buildings and small retailers. Check that your accommodation provider accepts credit card payment.

When your enrollment is complete, you will receive a student card, issued in cooperation with the official bank of the Politecnico which functions as a pre-paid master card too.

Travel cheques are not common and hardly ever accepted.

Cash payments maximum amount is currently € 1.000. Additionally, cash deposits exceeding the same amount will be subject to inspection.

If you need to extend your study permit, you need to provide evidence of availability of around € 6.000. You will need to organize your funds accordingly.

MIP Shareholders