Please be advised that the elective residency visa is intended for persons who wish to reside permanently in Italy and who can demonstrate high self-sustaining income and financial assets and can demonstrate a steady and adequate income (not deriving from subordinate work) and other financial resources.
The elective residency visa is NOT intended for extended tourism, nor is it for joining family members or friends who have accepted temporary jobs in Italy.
Individuals who receive an elective residency visa are not allowed to work in Italy and must be able to sustain themselves from their existing financial assets, such as annuities, stocks, pensions, bonds, and so forth.
The Consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request other documents in addition to those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the documents specified below does not guarantee issuance of a visa.
Starting January 11th 2025 all applicants for National Visa (D) will be fingerprinted according to the Italian Decree dated October 11th 2024, nr. 145.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ITALIAN ELECTIVE RESIDENCE VISA:
- United States passport, or passport and Alien Registration Card. Passport must be valid for at least 3 (three) months beyond the validity date of the requested visa and must have two consecutive blank pages available for the visa.
- Original and a photocopy of your valid Driver’s License or State ID issued by California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico (Driver’s License or State ID issued by other States are not accepted); if you moved and have not updated your Driver’s License or State ID from California, Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico, you must submit a current (same, if available, or previous month of your appointment) bill of water, gas or electricity (other types of bill are not accepted). We may requested additional documents as proof of residence.
- One National (Italian) Visa Application Form, completely and clearly filled out and to be signed in the presence of a Consular Officer.
- One recent passport size photograph (2 x 2 inches in size, full face, front view, in color).
- Documented and detailed guarantee of substantial and stable private incomeoriginating from stable and secure sources such as pensions, property rental income, business activities. Income from work is ineligible for the purposes of this visa. Applicants must provide recent and official letters from banks, financial institutions and consultants, U.S. Social Security, private pension institutions and the last 2 years of your Income Tax Return. Please note that the Visa Office may request additional documents from the applicant.
- A letter from the applicant where he/she specifies:
- the reason for his/her stay in Italy;
- length of stay;
- place of residence in Italy;
- name of persons accompanying the applicant such as spouse and children (in this case also a certified copy of marriage certificate and/or birth certificate of children should be submitted).
- Documentation regarding dwelling in the city where you will reside:
– a signed rental agreement according to Italian rental regulations
OR
– a deed of ownership of a livable apartment or house in Italy and proof of registration with the “Agenzia delle Entrate” (the Italian Tax Agency). Multiple bookings for houses/hotels and third party offer of hospitality cannot be accepted for this type of visa.
- One way travel ticket reservation. Please note:
- if traveling among multiple Schengen countries, travel ticket reservations showing passenger’s name, dates, from/to between each country is mandatory.
- Residency visa can be also issued to dependent spouse and minor children and dependent children over 18 living with their parents, assuming that the applicant can demonstrate adequate financial assets to support them. A birth/marriage certificate will be required (original plus one photocopy).
- PAYMENT METHOD: Money Order or Cashier’s Check (payable to the Consulate General of Italy – Los Angeles) for the exact required amount. Please refer to the Handling fees for the exact amount.
- Provide a self-addressed (from yourself – to yourself) pre-paid envelope (USPS/ FedEx/ UPS / Express Mail), if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you. This authorization form must be filled out.
The processing time for this visa may be up to 90 (ninety days). Therefore it is advisable to submit a visa request ninety days prior the expected departure date. Rush processing is not possible.
The foreigner holding an “Italian Elective Residence” visa is not allowed to work or seek employment under any conditions.
This Consulate General will evaluate the documents submitted and may request additional ones at its discretion.
Furthermore, you should also be aware that submitting all required documentation does not automatically guarantee the issuance of a visa.
Please note that:
• Within 8 days upon arrival in Italy, you must register with the local Police Department (Questura) to obtain the “Declaration of Stay” (Permesso di Soggiorno), which is the only legal document that legitimizes your stay in the country.
• You must keep a copy of all documents that have been submitted with the visa application. Visa Department.