About Country
Life Style Of The Country
(Climate, About the Country, Living Style, Religion, Culture, Language)
Italy is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia.
Italy has a largely temperate climate with regional variations. The climate in Italy is highly diverse. In summer the northern parts of Italy are warm with occasional rainfall, the central region is somewhat stifled by humidity and the south scorches under the dry heat. In winter conditions in Mila, Turin, Venice, and Bologna are dominated by cold and often classified as humid subtropical climate. The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer.
Italy is the fourth largest population in European Union and 23rd worldwide. Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is an economically stable country in world after United States. Italy was the founding member of European Union (EU). The Italian armed forces are divided into four branches army, navy, air force, and Gendarmerie.
Italians are warm, welcoming people who love to relax, celebrate and socialize with family and friends. They enjoy the Italian cuisine either at home or in a restaurant as they have passion in eating as well in talking. Piazza squares are famous among the people. They are also the main focal points for festivals, gatherings, political events, and celebrations. Conversation is an art form that makes them engaged in intense and animated discussions on wide variety topics ranging from family, work, politics, food, wine, and sports, especially soccer.
Religion is an all-pervasive force in Italy and hard to know the true nature of the country and its people without understanding the role faith plays in Italian life. Roman Catholicism is by far the largest religion in the country, although the Catholic Church is no longer officially the state religion. Also the country's oldest religious minority is the Jewish community. It is no longer the largest non-Christian group. As a result of immigration from other parts of the world, in addition there are some Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus in the total population that lives in Italy.
Until the country’s unification in 1861 it did not exist as a state. Italy can be identified by the regions of origin. Italy’s contributions to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe remain immense in various fields like visual art, literature, science, music, theatre, cinema, sports, and it can also be tasted in Italy’s cuisine.
The language used in Italy is Italian. But English is also understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.
Accommodation
Homestay: Living or boarding in a home with a local person or family can be a great way for students to experience and learn more about Italy and their way of life. And if for a visit to Italy they will present you with various types of accommodation such as bed and breakfast, self catered apartment, farm guest house, Villa, country inn, agri tourism, and charming hotels.
On-Campus Housing: Most of the campus offers accommodation in singles, doubles and triples for a semester or whole year. With facilities like classrooms, lounges, computer lab, library, offices, telephone services, cable TV, spacious courtyards, meal options, and health plans. Well furnished rooms, with air conditioners, single bed facility, dresser, desk, chair, refrigerators, and microwaves as well as 24 hours security too.
Off-Campus Housing: Most of the universities and colleges are also with off campus arrangements, the average cost for monthly rent can range from Studios $800 - $1,000 / Rs. 39192- Rs. 48990 to Multiple Bedroom apartments with multiple roommates $700 - $800/ Rs. 34293-Rs. 39192. Apart from this one may also expect other monthly expenses such as: electricity, heating, telephone and condominium fees while renting a room.
Transportation System
(Buses, trains, trams etc.)
There are lots of public transport systems to get around in Italy. Public transport is usually cheap and efficient and is probably the best way to visit Italian cities, since parking, petrol and motorway tolls are quite expensive in Italy. All the major cities have extensive bus and tram networks. The bus tickets are not sold on board and need to be purchased beforehand, usually at tobacconists and newsstands. All tickets must be stamped before boarding trains and underground trains or on board buses. In Rome a monthly bus/metro pass costs about $30.00 or Rs. 1469. Taxi fares are quite high with additional charges for luggage, pets, at night times or public holidays. Few taxis also accept credit cards in Italy. Bicycle is also a worth considering option in smaller towns. Italy's trains are cheap to ride. Tickets are bought at the ticket window or machine as and when needed. Fare is about one half the regular prices for air travel, and buses are even cheaper at $80 or Rs. 3919 round trip. Air travel within Italy is not cheap but not necessarily unreasonable.
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of the U.S. and Canada do not need a visa to enter Italy for up to 90 days if the purpose of their trip is tourism or business-related. Italy has a multitude of visas--the most common ones are for business, family reunion, independent work, religious reasons, study, tourism, and transit. If you're planning on staying longer than 90 days, but aren't yet sure about permanent residency, you'll need a Schengen Treaty/Tourist Visa.
Non-EU citizens who intend to enter the Italian territory, both for a limited period of max. 90 days or for longer stay - which implies the granting of a permit of stay (permesso di soggiorno) by the Italian police authorities, - must have a passport and a visa released by Italian embassies or consulates. Visas must be requested in person by non EU-citizen.
ENTRY IN ITALY
Non EU-citizens are authorised to enter and stay in the Italian territory only if:
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In possess of a valid passport or equivalent document (inserire link altri documenti equivalenti) and a valid visa.
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In possess of all the documents required by the law that justify the purpose and conditions of stay.
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Are not listed as non-admissible subjects into the Schegen territory for reasons of public and national security.
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They prove to dispose of the required financial means for the entire period of stay (inserire link tabella sostentamento) and of the necessary sum for repatriation (e.g. return plane ticket).
Non-EU citizens must also remember that:
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Border Authorities are entitled to request a proof of possession of the requisites previously indicated in the application form;
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Non-EU citizens devoid of one of the requisites can be denied the entrance into the Italian territory even if in possession of valid visa
Also remember that:
ENTRY VISA
An entry visa must be requested by non-EU citizens who intend to come to Italy for specific purposes, among which:
Visa must be attached to the applicant's passport or other equivalent document. It represents the authorisation given to non-EU citizens to enter the Italian territory. Visa is released by Italian embassies or consulates in the applicant's country of origin. By releasing the visa, the embassy or consulate will certify the validity of the documents presented by the applicant and suitability of all requirements. The visa application must be composed of:
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One original copy of the application form, completed and signed by the applicant(inserire link formulario richiesta visto d'ingresso);
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One passport photo of the applicant;
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A passport;
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The required specific documentation for the type of visa requested, i.e.:
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For self- employment (docenti a contratto, collaborazioni coordinate e continuative)
Or
As for the fist case (temporary work contracts, considered as self-employment), visa applicant will also need the following documentation:
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Original copy of the permit to enter for work purposes (nulla osta per motivi di lavoro) delivered by Sportello Unico that will be sent to the applicant by the University's administrative offices.
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availability of suitable lodgings, to be proven according to one of the following means: rental lease or ownership deed; declaration in keeping with articles 2 and 4 of Law no. 15 of 4.1.1968; declaration in keeping with the above regulations by an Italian or foreign citizen legally residing in Italy of having made suitable lodgings available to the visa applicant that fulfil the minimum requirements foreseen by regional legislation for public housing.
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Certification released by the Local Labour Authority that confirms that suitability of the type of contract thatbe sent to the applicant by the University's administrative offices.
As for the second case (permanent work contracts), visa applicant will need the following documentation:
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Original copy of the permit to enter for work purposes (nulla osta per motivi di lavoro) delivered by the Sportello Unico that will be sent to the applicant by the University's administrative offices.
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Contratto di soggiorno (job contract) that will be sent be the University's administrative offices.
Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive and additional documentation may be requested. Non EU-citizens should inquire to their nearest Italian Diplomatic Mission for further details or check the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry's web site.
Stay Permit
Stay in Italy is granted to all non-Italian citizens who intend to live in Italy for any length of time. The application for the Stay Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) should be forwarded by the applicant within 8 working days as of his/her entry into the State territory and will have the same motivations than the entry visa in his/her possession
In our case, the applicant must apply for a Permesso di soggiorno per lavoro in casi particolari (art.27 comma 1, lettere b e c del T.U. n. 286/98) - which regulates the release of stay permits for work purposes for the following categories of workers:
New procedure for release and renewal of stay permits, in force since December 2006 (Law n.3, 16 January 2003, art. 39, par. 4-bis, modified by art. 1-quinquies of Law n. 271, 12 November):
This new procedure requires that the applicant asks for an application form for a stay permit request at the post office (inserire il link con indirizzi uffici postali a Venezia).
When giving in his/her application form filled in, the applicant will be identified by means of his/her passport by the post officer.
This procedure through the post office is compulsory for non-EU citizens.
Costs:
Applicant will have to pay the following sums when handing in the request for a stay permit at the post office: only cash is accepted.
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27, 50 euro or Rs. 169317 to be paid through a postal order available at the post office
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14, 62 euro or Rs. 90015 for stamp duties
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30 euro or Rs. 1847 for administration charges
Application must be presented in an open envelop. The post officer will give the applicant a receipt which must be kept carefully as a proof that the application was sent. The Immigration office of the Local Police Headquarters (Questura) will summon the applicant twice:
The applicant will undergo an identification process through photo and fingerprints, if required by the law. In this occasion, the applicant will be required to present original passport and 4 passport photos. The second time, the Police will release the stay permit.
Types Of Visas
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Student Visa
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Family visa
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Elective Residence Visa
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Business Visa
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Tourist Visa
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Transit Visa
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Work Visa
