There are a variety of immigration visas available for foreigners looking to move to Italy.
For many people the lure of the Italian countryside is enough to give them reason to want to immigrate to the country. Lush vineyards, rolling hills, thousands of kilometers of coastline, ancient Roman history and architecture all combine to create idyllic living conditions. Before you can move to Italy and take up residency, there are a few steps that must be taken to ensure legal residency as an immigrant. While some of the steps are the same regardless of your country of origin, there are a few processes along the way that are dependent upon which type of immigrant visa you are applying for.
Instructions
1. Determine the length of your stay, as well as the section of Italy you are going to. Duration of stay is required for the type of immigrant visa you apply for. The section of the country you are traveling to is required for obtaining the necessary residency permit for that section of Italy when applying at your closest Italian consulate.
2. Check the validity of your passport before starting the process. Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the expiration of your immigration visa. Immigration visas are issued for one-, two-, three- and five-year terms. If your passport expires before the term of your desired immigration visa is up, you must renew your passport prior to applying for the immigration visa. Ensure that your passport has at least two free pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps, as well as the actual visa stamp.
3. Call or go to your bank and have it give you a copy of your most current bank statement. This statement must be notarized and signed by a relevant bank official. The statement must include your account number, financial status--i.e., employed, retired or receiving pension--and an appropriate balance in the account to cover your stay in Italy or proof of monthly deposits to cover the relevant daily/monthly/annual fees.
4. Fill out the application and take it to the nearest Italian consulate that holds jurisdiction over your state. Bring your passport, passport photo, proof of income and relevant funds. All applicants for long-term visas must apply for their visa in person at the relevant consulate and go through a face-to-face interview. More information on which consulate covers your area can be found on the Embassy of Italy website. Call the relevant consulate prior to arranging your travel plans to schedule an appointment.
5. Allow anywhere from two to 12 days for processing of the immigrant visa. Give yourself a minimum of a month to make sure, as sometimes there can be delays in paperwork being processed.
Tags: your passport, immigrant visa, immigration visa, Italian consulate, move Italy
