Starting now, residence permit applications submitted through Poste Italiane counters will feature an expiry date on the postal receipt, which is set to a maximum of nine months from the date the application is accepted. This change marks a shift from the previous system, where postal receipts—used to prove an individual’s legal immigration status while waiting for their permit to be processed—did not have an expiry date.
The introduction of an expiry date carries important practical implications. Individuals traveling within the Schengen Area with an expired postal receipt, and who later attempt to re-enter Italy, may face challenges, including being denied entry or questioned by border authorities.
This change is being implemented gradually across Italy. However, there is limited guidance available on what applicants should do if their postal receipt expires before their permit is issued. In such cases, applicants may need to apply for a new postal receipt, though it is unclear how this will impact their existing residence permit application. Immigration professionals advise applicants to seek case-specific advice regarding their situation.
