Who can apply for entry as an accompanying family member?
The entry procedure for accompanying family members is intended for foreign citizens who wish to enter Italy together with a foreign family member already holding an entry visa for employment (with a contract of at least one year), self-employment, investment, study, or religious reasons.
The following family members are eligible:
- Spouse or partner of a civil union (registered same-sex union);
- Minor children;
- Economically dependent and disabled adult children;
- Economically dependent parents, provided they have no other children in their country of origin (or these, even if present, cannot support them for serious health reasons);
- Parents over the age of sixty-five, provided they have no other children in their country of origin (or these, if present, cannot support them for serious health reasons);
- Parent of a minor already residing in Italy;
Main requirements for applying for entry as an accompanying family member:
- The person applying to be accompanied by their family member (the so-called family visa sponsor) must hold a visa for employment, self-employment, investment, study, or religious reasons;
- The family visa sponsor must prove they have suitable accommodation in Italy. A hotel reservation of at least 30 days after entry into Italy, as well as a rental agreement, is considered suitable lodging;
- The family visa sponsor must prove that they have a gross annual income not lower than EUR 11,000 (for the first family member), increased by EUR 3,500 for each additional family member;
- If the family member is over 65 years old, private health insurance is required.
Main procedural steps
- Application for the entry clearance (Nulla Osta) at the competent Prefecture’s Immigration Desk by the Family Visa sponsor;
- Application for a visa for family reasons at the Italian Consulate abroad by the accompanying family member (after the visa sponsor has obtained their visa);
- Arrival in Italy and application for a residence permit by the accompanying family member within 8 days (together with their visa sponsor);
- Registration of the accompanying family members’ fingerprints at the Police Headquarters and submission of the relevant documentation in original (together with their visa sponsor);
- Issuance of the residence permit (together with their visa sponsor).
Times
On average, it takes around 2 or 3 months from the date of the entry clearance (Nulla Osta) application to obtain the national visa allowing the relative to enter Italy.
Validity of residence permit for family members
The residence permit for family members has the same duration as the residence permit held by the applicant.
The residence permit is renewable under the same conditions as the first issue, as long as the foreigner is never away from the Italian territory for six continuous months or more.
The residence permit for family members allows work activity.
After 5 years of holding an Italian residence permit, one can apply for a permanent residence permit (also known as a long-term permit), provided they are registered as civil and tax resident in Italy at the time of application and can demonstrate knowledge of the Italian language at level A2 (the second level on a six-level scale).
Scope of our assistance
Our assistance includes the following activities (full assistance up to the issuance of the residence permit):
- Preliminary legal analysis and advice on options for obtaining an Italian visa and residence permit;
- Guidance and advice on how to prepare and collect all relevant documents;
- Preparation and submission of the application for the Entry Clearance (Nulla Osta);
- Guidance and advice on how to submit a visa application to the competent Italian consulate in the country of origin;
- Preparation and submission of the residence permit application to the Police headquarters;
- Guidance and advice on how to complete the subsequent procedural steps before the competent Police headquarters and to prepare the necessary documentation;
- Establishing contact with all public stakeholders involved in the aforementioned procedures to solve potential issues, overcome obstacles and promote a positive outcome of the application.