Family Permits for family members of Italian Investor Visa’s holders

If you hold an investor visa for Italy, your family may be eligible for a residence permit under certain conditions:

A. first, it is important to clarify what is meant by "family" according to Italian immigration law. The regulations state that holders of an investor visa have the right to bring their direct family members, meaning: spouse; children under 18; dependent children over 18; dependent parents; and parents over 65 years old;

B. next, it is necessary to determine the type of procedure to follow, of which there are three main options:

Accompanying Family Member

The procedure for an accompanying family member involves applying for a visa and a residence permit based on their relationship with the investor visa holder. The investor visa holder must initiate the process once the visa is obtained, but before their travel to Italy.

The application must be submitted by a legal representative residing in Italy. Although priority is given, some Immigration Offices do not process the request immediately. This can significantly impact the intended arrival dates of investors and their families.

Once the authorization is issued, the family can apply for their visas at the relevant Italian Consulate and plan their travel to Italy with their visas. Upon arrival in Italy, they will need to submit an application for a residence permit.

Family Cohesion Process

This procedure is based on the premise that the family members of the visa holder enter Italy as tourists, and then apply directly to the appropriate police station (Questura) for the family residence permit.

It is important to note that each police station in Italy has its own internal mechanisms and processes, meaning there is no standardized procedure at national level. This can cause delays and complicate the family residence permit application process.

Family Reunification Process

Under this procedure, the holder of the investor visa and residence permit must apply to the territorially competent Immigration Office for the issuance of a nulla osta, which then allows family members to apply for family visas at the Italian Consulate in the foreign country of residence and then to enter Italy to apply for a family residence permit at the competent police station.

The application for a nulla osta must be submitted through the Ministry of the Interior's portal, and processing times can vary greatly from city to city (in some capitals processing times can reach and exceed 12 months) so this procedure may not be the most effective choice if you want to quickly obtain a residence permit for your family members.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

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This article is intended to offer general guidance on the topic. Please seek specialized advice tailored to your specific circumstances.