Moving to Italy from the USA: How to Get a Visa for Residency
Moving to Italy from the USA: How to Get a Visa for Residency
If you are wondering how to move to Italy as an American, you’re not alone. Thousands of people from all over the world relocate to the boot-shaped country every year, and they will all need an Italian visa and Italian residence permit.
From the snowy Alpine mountains of the north to the sun-soaked islands of the south, Italian real estate is more geographically diverse than you might imagine. The country has a rich culture and history that goes back thousands of years. Many people apply to move to Italy after a single visit. Others come to Italy on a student visa and then become interested in moving to Italy long term.
Italians have a reputation for living life to the fullest—they don’t call it la dolce vita for nothing!
Italians are very proud of their language and have a strong sense of national pride and identity. They appreciate when visitors and new residents make a genuine effort to learn the language and learn about Italy’s history and culture—doing so is likely to score you points and make living in Italy easier. An understanding of the language will help you meet the Italy residence visa requirements.
If you’re on a mission to move to Italy from the USA, or are wondering how to get a student visa in Italy, you will need to meet the Italian Embassy visa application requirements. Whether you want to live there for a little while or your long-term goal is obtaining dual citizenship in Italy, you need the right paperwork to reside in Italy legally. Below we provide some practical information about how to get a residence permit in Italy, study abroad with a visa in Italy, or obtain a work permit.
Getting an Italian Visa
It can be difficult to establish residency in Italy because the laws are designed to prevent immigration rather than promote it. You must meet all of Italy’s visa requirements and obtain any necessary visas before you move.
U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for stays of 90 days or less, but if you will be staying in Italy for more than 90 days you will need to apply for a residence permit at the local police station.
There are several different types of visas you might qualify for:
Student visa
If you get accepted into an education program in Italy, it’s relatively easy to meet the student visa requirements in Italy. In fact, many programs pursue overseas students. For young people, this is the easiest way to obtain temporary Italian residency. If you haven’t started your post-secondary education, look for schools in the U.S. with programs in Italy. EU citizens will not need a visa to attend school in Italy, but American citizens will.
Work visa
If you intend to work in Italy and you are not a dual citizen, you will need to obtain a work visa. These can be challenging to obtain, as the requirements are strict. You might obtain an artist visa, or a dependent worker visa based on employment by an Italian company. In order to obtain an independent or freelance work visa in Italy, you must have work lined up contingent on obtaining the visa.
Elective residence visa (residenza elettiva)
The elective residence visa in Italy requires that you demonstrate you’re financially stable and can support yourself without working. Retirees and persons who have substantial savings and a source of rental income, for example, can qualify for an elective residence visa.
Temporary residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
Any person who intends to reside in Italy for longer than 90 days will need this “permit to stay.” Within 8 business days of your arrival in Italy, you will need to complete an application kit available at post offices in Italy.
Documents You’ll Need to Get a Visa
To get your visa you must prove that you meet one of the requirements above. Once you do, you’ll need:
- A valid U.S. passport
- Proof of employment if applying for a work visa
- A letter of acceptance from the college or university you’ll be attending in Italy if applying for a student visa
- Bank statements and other financial statements that prove you have adequate savings/income if applying for a residency visa
You’ll need to collect the appropriate visa or permit from a U.S. embassy or your regional Italian consulate office. It can take a long time to get a consulate appointment, so call right away.
During your visa interview, you’ll be asked questions about your background and the length and purpose of your stay. The goals of these questions are to confirm that you will be a law-abiding, productive member of society once in Italy. You could be approved on the spot, but you may also be told that a background check is required, which will delay the process.
The approval process can take several weeks or months. Once you receive your visa if approved, check it to make sure it’s accurate, and then plan your move to Italy!
Note: There are other acceptable reasons for applying for a visa, including adoption, business travel, family reunions, religious grounds, medical treatment, and tourism. Contact or visit your local embassy or regional consulate office for more information.
Get Help from the Experts
A visa doesn’t grant you citizenship, and it isn’t intended for permanent relocation to Italy. For that, you’ll need to become an Italian citizen. There are three ways to do it: through ancestry, marriage, or naturalization.
The Italian American Citizenship Assistance Program is staffed by experts who can help counsel you on obtaining dual citizenship in Italy, which will allow you to establish a permanent residence without a visa, buy property, and qualify for Italian health insurance. Our Italian citizenship program has helped hundreds of people discover their Italian heritage and become dual citizens! Contact us today to learn more.