Not very clear — I received the permesso (residence permit) only after its expiration date had already passed. What does the law say about this, is this a normal situation? In practice, while you’re waiting for it you already have to apply for a renewal — so what should you do with such a document?
In the immigration law - Article 5 - it states that the questura is obliged to consider the application within 60 days. That’s precisely why the deadline to apply for an extension is set at no later than 60 days before the first permit expires — so the questura has time to process it in time. The fact that the document often arrives already expired is almost the norm; it’s not the exception these days. The main thing is that the ricevuta from the first submission confirms legal stay in the country for the entire waiting period. You can apply for the extension using it; you don’t need to wait for the physical card.
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Got it, thanks. So the “ricevuta” is basically confirmation that I’m legally in the country while the new residence permit is being processed?
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Yes, exactly — the ricevuta (receipt) is your legal basis for staying in the country while you wait for the card. With it you can even register as a resident at the comune without waiting for the actual permesso (residence permit) — that’s how it worked for a friend in Prato, who did it through a patronato in a couple of weeks. Just always keep a copy on you; I was asked for it about three times for different things.
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