The family reunification visa, pursuant to Articles 28 and 29 of Regulation 286/1998 and subsequent amendments and integrations, allows entry into Italy, for the purposes of a long-term stay, to foreign nationals with a relative residing in Italy that intends to exercise their right to maintain or restore family unity.
This right is granted to foreign nationals who hold a residence card or residence permit valid for a period of at least one year issued for employment or self-employment, or for asylum, study, religious or family reasons.
For any information in this regard, contact the relevant Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Some guidelines
In order to obtain an entry visa, foreign nationals must hold a clearance for “accompanying family member” or “family reunification”, issued by the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione at the Prefecture of their place of residence, and transmitted electronically directly to the Consular Offices.
The issuance of the clearance must be requested, after registering with a SPID digital identity, by filling in the appropriate forms on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Once you have accessed the reserved area of the SUI (Sportello Unico Immigrazione) computer system of the Ministry of the Interior, click on “request forms” and choose one of the following forms:
- Application for family reunification clearance: Form S
- Application for entry clearance for accompanying family members: Form T
Attention
The procedure on the website of the Ministry of the Interior and the forms are only available in Italian.
To apply for a clearance, the legally residing foreign national must hold a residence card or residence permit valid for a period of at least one year.
The post office receipt of the residence permit application is not sufficient.
General documentation to be produced (non-exhaustive list)
- Documentation proving the availability of annual income.
The income must come from lawful sources and not be less than the annual amount of the social allowance for the current year (amounting to EUR 5,830.76 in 2015) increased by half the amount of the social allowance for each family member to be reunited.
1 family member: EUR 8,746.14 per year
2 family members: EUR 11,661.52 per year
3 family members: EUR 14,576.90 per year
- Availability of “appropriate” accommodation, documented by:
- copy of the lease agreement that has been duly registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, free loan agreement or deed of ownership of the accommodation
- housing suitability and health and hygiene certification, i.e. the municipal certificate stating that the accommodation complies with the parameters established by law and meets health regulations
- Proof of family relationship
The certification of family relationship (certificate of family status, marriage certificate) must be translated, legalised and validated by the Italian diplomatic authority of the country of residence and/or origin of the foreign national.
