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The Questura appointment

How the Questura appointment works for a residence permit: summons, fingerprinting and photographs, original documents to bring and what happens next.

Quick answer

After sending the postal kit you receive a summons to the Immigration Office: at the appointment you bring original documents, photographs and payment receipts, and your photograph and fingerprints are taken. From then on the Questura continues with its checks.

The appointment is when your application becomes a real procedure: documents are checked against the originals and biometric data is collected.

Arriving prepared reduces the risk of being asked to come back — the most common cause of delay.

Who this guide is for

Anyone who filed a permit or renewal application with the postal kit and received a summons.

What you need

  • Postal kit receipt (with user code and password)
  • Your expiring or expired permit, if you still have it
  • Original passport or travel document
  • Original documents for your reason of stay
  • Recent photographs, where required
  • Payment receipts (electronic permit and contribution)

Step-by-step process

  1. 1. Check your summons

    Date, time and location appear on the receipt or in the notice: check for any changes.

  2. 2. Prepare originals

    Bring all original documents attached to the kit, plus copies and receipts.

  3. 3. Arrive on time

    Arrive slightly early and carry a valid identity document.

  4. 4. Fingerprinting

    Your photograph and fingerprints are taken; if fingerprints were collected before, the office may not repeat it.

  5. 5. Follow up afterwards

    Check your file status online and wait for the collection notice.

Documents

  • — Kit receipt with codes
  • — Passport or travel document
  • — Previous residence permit, if available
  • — Original documents for your reason of stay
  • — Payment receipts
  • — Recent photographs, where required

Generate a printable checklist for your situation

What happens next

  • Check your file status online.
  • If the office requests additional documents, provide them as soon as possible.
  • When notified, collect the permit at the Questura.

Common mistakes

Mistake: Bringing only photocopies.

Better approach: Bring originals: verification is done against original documents.

Mistake: Forgetting the kit receipt.

Better approach: Bring the receipt with your codes — needed for the file and checks.

The postal kit receipt

The receipt proves that your permit or renewal application was filed. People who have filed a renewal application have, with the r…

Read the guide

Checking your application status

You check your file status online using the user code and password printed on the receipt you received at the post office when sen…

Read the guide

First residence permit application

After entering Italy with a visa for stays longer than 90 days, you must file the first permit application within 8 working days, …

Read the guide

Collecting your residence permit

When the permit is ready you receive a notification of availability: collection takes place at the Immigration Office of the compe…

Read the guide

Immigration timeline

Organises your application dates into a printable timeline.

Open the tool

Official sources

This page is based on the official sources listed below. Open them to check the most recent information directly with the competent authority.

  • Polizia di Stato — Immigration Office (police headquarters online)

    Polizia di Stato · in italiano

    Pagina delle Questure con le informazioni sui titoli di soggiorno, i moduli e la verifica dello stato delle pratiche.

    Link last verified:

  • Poste Italiane — Sportello Amico counters

    Poste Italiane · in italiano

    Informazioni sugli uffici postali abilitati al servizio kit postale per il permesso di soggiorno e sulle modalità di spedizione.

    Link last verified:

  • Questure — Documents to include in the postal kit (PDF)

    Polizia di Stato — Questure · in italiano

    Documento ufficiale con l’elenco dei documenti da inserire nel kit postale per le principali tipologie di permesso di soggiorno.

    Link last verified:

  • Polizia di Stato — Where to apply

    Polizia di Stato · in italiano

    Elenco ufficiale delle Questure italiane con indirizzi, orari e contatti degli Uffici Immigrazione.

    Link last verified:

Important notice

The information published on ItalyDocsHub is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and requirements may change. For current information and advice regarding your specific situation, always consult the relevant official authority or a qualified professional.

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