You got your visa to go to Italy, yeah! Now the hard part begins 🙂
If you’re applying for a residence permit (“permesso di soggiorno”) in Rome, one of the first steps is preparing and submitting the “kit giallo” (yellow kit).
I used tips from Facebook groups, You Tube and old blog posts to help me piece together what to do, as it seemed that every tip I read or received was incomplete.
Below is the process my partner went through in Rome to obtain his appointment at the Questura to receive his permesso di soggiorno.
Permesso di Soggiorno Quick Steps
- Go to a local post office (choose a large one and look for a “sportello” desk)
- If using a kiosk, take a ticket for “packet”, pachetto.
- Request the permesso kit gallow. It is a white envelope with a yellow border.
- Go to a local tobacco shop and request a “Marco da bollo” stamp. It was 16 Euros (buy 4 of them to make 16 if they do not have the one 16 Euro stamp). You will attach this to the packet when you hand it in to the post office.
- Fill out the forms (use AI to help you fill them out correctly (I am sadly not joking) or use this older link to help you fill it out ).
- In some communes, there are offices called “Patronata’s.” They can also help, but in Rome I didn’t find one that spoke English. We did use one, who filled out a few more things and put a special stamp in it indicating it was “checked”.
- Submit copies of the same documents you provided for your visa.
- Make a copy of the Visa stamp and include it in the packet.
- Pay the required fees
- Caveat – you do need an Italian phone number to complete this process. I used a kiosk at an Iliad store.
You will receive a receipt with an appointment date at the local Questura. This is the police immigration office.
We went to the post office on Feb 3rd, and the appointment (for Rome) is not until June 25th, so there is a huge delay in larger cities. Keep in mind that you CANNOT TRAVEL (after the first 90 days of arrival) until you have your permesso in hand. Yes, that means no bouncing around Europe. You can go to your home country but it’s not recommended as sometimes there are issues at immigration.
The post office employee handed back Module 2 to my partner. However, on the website to check your status, it says his packet is “incomplete due to missing Module 2”. It’s all very confusing, and it seems like no one really speaks to each other about what is actually needed.
There is a website to check your status (you will get a login when you hand in your yellow packet at the post office). The site will also tell you if you are missing any documents, so you can bring them to your appointment.
Make sure you carry your passport and this paper receipt at all times. If you are stopped by police, they will ask you to show them the receipt as “proof” that you are trying to get residency.
We bought this passport holder, which fits in the front pocket of men’s pants.
What is the Kit Giallo?
The kit giallo is a yellow envelope you pick up for free at any Poste Italiane office. It contains forms and instructions needed to apply for or renew your residence permit.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Application forms (Modulo 1 and sometimes Modulo 2)
- Instructions (in Italian)
- Payment slips
Step 1: Where to Get Help
If you’re not confident filling out Italian paperwork, you can go to a patronato (assistance office). Some in Rome that often have English-speaking staff include:
- INCA CGIL
- ACLI Patronato
- Patronato INAS
They can help you correctly fill out the forms for free or a small donation. This can save you from mistakes that delay your application.
We filled out the packet ourselves, but then went to a patronata (who did not speak English) to review the forms. They signed off on it, which the post office seemed to like, as it sped up the process for them.
This is the patronata we used: Via Maffio Maffii, 13/a, 00157 Roma RM
Step 2: Filling Out the Forms
Inside the kit, you’ll primarily complete Modulo 1. For the Digital Nomad Visa, you do not need to fill out Module 2. The post office may hand this back to you. However, when checking the link from the Questura, they say ” missing module 2″. so there is clearly a disconnect on what is needed and what is not needed.
👉 Use this form to help fill out your packet. It helped me to decipher what went where.
You’ll need to include:
Important tips:
- Write in black pen, capital letters
- Do not leave required fields blank
- Double-check passport numbers and dates
Step 3: Documents to Include
You’ll typically need:
- Copy of your passport (all relevant pages)
- Copy of your visa (if applicable)
- Proof of address in Rome
- Supporting documents depending on your permit type (work, study, family, etc.)
Do not put originals in the envelope—only copies.
Step 4: Marca da Bollo (Tax Stamp)
You will need a €16 marca da bollo (tax stamp), which you can buy at a tabacchi (tobacco shop).
Important:
- Generally it is one €16 stamp for the application form however my tabacchi gave me 4, 4 euro stamps to equal 16.
- The rest of the fees are paid at the post office
Attach the marca da bollo where indicated on the form.
Step 5: Submitting at the Post Office
Go to a post office in Rome that has a Sportello Amico (dedicated immigration desk).
My post office did not have a dedicated desk, I just chose the option on the ticket screen for “pachetto” and they were able to help me.
This is a locaiton in Rome where many other visa applicants wwent and said that they spoke english. Rome post office
At the ticket machine inside the post office:
- Select “Servizi al cittadino” or
- “Permesso di soggiorno / Kit giallo”
- or “pachetto” if there are no options for the kit.
(The wording can vary slightly, but look for anything related to residence permits.)
Step 6: Paying Fees
At the counter, you will:
- Submit your completed kit
- Pay fees (usually around €100–€150 depending on permit type)
The clerk will:
- Check your documents
- Seal your envelope
- Give you a receipt (ricevuta) — keep this safe
This receipt proves you are legally in Italy while waiting. It will contain a login and password to check on the status of your packet at teh Questura.
Step 7: Questura Appointment
After submission, the post office will give you:
- A Questura appointment date
This is when you’ll go for fingerprints and final processing.
Be prepared for a wait. For example, we applied in February and were given an appointment in June. This is completely normal in Rome.
There is a website to check your status (you will get a login when you hand in your yellow packet at the post office). The site will also tell you if you are missing any documents, so you can bring them to your appointment.
Final Notes (From Personal Experience)
I am not an attorney or lawyer, but this is the process I personally followed at the beginning of my application.
What helped the most:
- Getting help from a patronato
- Double-checking every form before submission
- Being patient with the timeline
Once you submit the kit, you are officially in the system, now you wait.
You can now read about the experience at the Rome Questura so you can get familiar with the process.
At the time of writing, Rome is on a one year backlog of printing physical PDS cards. I will update the post if we ever receive ours.
