In order to apply please email us and send:
- A cover letter, describing whatever experience you’ve had in filmmaking to date and a statement of your aspirations, interests and intentions in the field.
- Your CV/resume (including your academic history)Relevant transcripts (if applicable)
- Any links you may have to previous film or related work.
** Please do not send movie files; instead send links to sites where we can view your work.
The ‘Permesso’ is a first thing first for NON-EU citizens after their arrival in Italy. For your first entry, you will have a long-term visa obtained from relevant authorities, and officially within 8 working days you are supposed to apply for a ‘permit of stay’ for your purpose of stay. The process might look confusing but don’t worry!
If you follow step by step, this is easier than it sounds.
First of all, the process takes place in 2 different steps. You submit your application at one of the Post Offices and then, for the issuance of your permit of stay you will have to go to a local Police Department- “Questura – Ufficio Stranieri” that will be decided based on your residential address in Italy. In Rome it is located at Via Teofilo Patini, 23, 00155 Roma RM.
Step 1: POST OFFICE APPLICATION
You can submit your application in any of the post offices. Please keep in mind that you should not submit the original documents in your application. You will need those documents in the second step. Which documents do you need?
1. Marca da Bollo of 16,00 EUR You must purchase in advance, an Italian duty stamp, which can be purchased at any Tabacchi Shop. You can easily identify one of the Tabacchi shops by the “T” sign on the outside. The Marca da Bollo will need to be placed on the completed permit of stay application.
2. Completed Post Office Application/Kit Once you arrive at the Post Office, you will need to ask for “Modulo 1” (Form 1) and this will be given to you in a yellow striped envelope. This kit is available for free and make sure to complete this kit. You may also find guided videos online about how to fill in the application based on your purpose of stay.
3. Photocopy of the official university acceptance letter / declaration of enrollment (sealed/stamped by the Italian Embassy /Consulate when entry visa was released)
4. Photocopy of valid ID Document As a NON-EU citizen, it is best to use your passport in the legal process. Keep in mind that you will need the photocopy of both your visa page and personal data page of your passport. You must present the original document when submitting the application at the Post Office.
5. Photocopy of health insurance policy, should be valid in Italy and valid throughout the entire period of validity of the Visa/residence permit.
6. Photocopy of Financial Statement: Bank account document certifying adequate financial resources (approximately 5.980 EUROS). This document should be in your name.
7. Receipt of payment of 70,46 EUR You will pay this amount at the Post Office once the officer checks all of your other documents and approves the application.
8. Application Fee: 30,00 paid at the Post Office when submitting the application.After submitting the application, you will receive 2 documents: a “ricevuta” which will be used as a legal proof of your immigration status in Italy and , the subsequently they will send aa letter with the appointment date, time and the local Police Station that you must go to on the date of appointment. You must keep both of these documents.
Step 2: QUESTURA APPOINTMENT
(Local Police Station Immigration Office) After completing the first step, you will have to wait for your appointment. Remember that your appointment can be months later than the date of application in the post office. You must be present at the date and time of the appointment in the indicated local police station. You cannot go to a different address than your assigned one. In this step, you must bring originals and photocopies of all of the following documents:
1. Passport or other equivalent document
2. Photocopy of the official university acceptance letter / declaration of enrollment (sealed/stamped by the Italian Embassy /Consulate when entry visa was released)
3. 2 identical passport-size photographs
4. Health insurance policy, valid in Italy and valid throughout the entire period of validity of the Visa/residence permit.
5. Photocopy of Financial Statement: Bank account document certifying adequate financial resources (approximately 5.980 EUROS). This document should be on your name.
6. Post office receipt + Receipt of payment of € 70,46 paid at the Post Office for the Electronic Permit of Stay
After the appointment in “questura”, it may take a while for issuing your Permesso di Soggiorno. Once your Permesso di Soggiorno is ready, you will receive an SMS informing you the date, time and place of pickup. Until that date, you will be able to use your “Ricevuta” as a legal proof of your immigration status in Italy.
How to renew permesso in the subsequent years?
In the following years of your stay in Italy, you will have to renew your Permesso di Soggiorno and this renewal must take place 60 days before the permit of stay expires. The renewal is again a 2 step process and it is almost the same as the first time (see first question link) with additional documentation: In the renewal process, in each step you need to bring with you the expiring permit of stay and the photocopy of it. Other than this extra document, you can follow the same procedure.
RIFS can help prospective students find living accommodations in Rome, through affiliated, friendly agencies we work with. These agents can help you find a solution that matches any budget, from economic to luxurious, in furnished flats throughout the city.
Rome is a huge, sprawling capital city with many diverse neighbourhoods and living situations. Students who wish to find rooms in flat–shares, take short-term furnished rentals, or those seeking longer term rentals can find what they need.RIFS has recently entered into a partnership with Spotahome. RIFS students can receive a 25% discount on their fees, as they help you find and book housing in Rome for the duration of your stay. (Just ask us for the promo code).
www.spotahome.com
The easiest way to find and book your accommodation solution in Rome online.
See Visa Info section in the footer of the page (scroll down)
* The One-Semester Advanced Film-making Program that begins in January each year is only open to students demonstrating previous filmmaking experience.
For all programs, the deposit must be paid at the same time as the application for registration, in advance of the course start date to secure your place. Payment is deemed to have been made when we have received cleared funds. The deposit is deducted from the overall tuition fees and is not an additional charge. Students must pay the balance of tuition fees in full by and no later than 30 days prior to the start of each program.
If visas are pending or the student has been awarded a late acceptance, the balance of tuition payment is due no later than 5 business days after the student’s receipt of visa or notification of late acceptance. In the event of a request for a refund of the deposit, for justified reasons, the sum of 500 euros will still be retained as a refund of administrative costs for enrollment.
The above includes:
Tuition fees
Administration fees
Access to the school’s equipment for projects as validated by the Faculty
We are sorry, but RIFS cannot offer scholarships or other fee reductions at this time.
Note: Tuition fees include classes, training and use of RIFS equipment and facilities for productions, where applicable.
They do not include accommodation costs, but RIFS can help students find housing if needed.
The fees above-named are valid for the academic year 2025-2026. Thereafter they are subject to adjustments to cater for cost variations.
