The visa for accompanying family members (Art. 28 and 29 d.lgs. 286/98 and Art. 6 dpr. 394/99, and subsequent amendments and integrations) allows foreign nationals to enter Italy accompanied by their family members.
Those holding a student visa can also apply for a visa for accompanying family members in the cases and conditions provided for by Law.
Before applying for a visa for accompanying family members, however, it is necessary to apply for a clearance at the SUI – Sportello Unico Immigrazione of the Prefecture in city where they are staying.
The application for a clearance for accompanying family member is submitted electronically by non-EU citizens (after user registration and acquisition of a SPID digital identity) on the site of the Ministry of the Interior. The procedure is in Italian.
Alternatively, the applicant, if abroad, can appoint a delegate and apply for clearance through the assistance offices (Patronati). The delegated person can be an Italian or foreign colleague, already in Pisa, with a valid residence permit. For information on how to delegate, you can contact the relevant Italian Embassy or one of the assistance offices indicated below.
Attention: it is not easy to obtain a clearance for accompanying family members, so it is recommended that you contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence well in advance. The Italian Embassy will provide all the information and can give useful suggestions. The list of Italian Embassies and Consulates can be found at this link.
General documentation to be produced (non-exhaustive list):
- applicants must prove to have an annual minimum income from lawful sources that is at least equal to the annual amount of the social allowance (EUR 6,079.45 in 2022), increased by half the social allowance amount for each accompanying family member. If the income is earned abroad, the income tax return must be translated and legalised by the competent Italian Consular/Diplomatic mission
- availability of “appropriate” accommodation in Pisa, documented by a copy of the lease agreement duly registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, housing suitability and health and hygiene certification, verified by the competent local offices
- proof of family relationship. The certification of family relationship (certificate of family status, marriage certificate) must be legalised by the Italian diplomatic mission abroad – in the relevant foreign country – and accompanied by a certified Italian translation that complies with the foreign text, made by the competent Diplomatic mission or by an official translator (Art. 33, paragraphs 2 and 3, Presidential Decree no. 445/2000).
For accommodation, if you are abroad, it is recommended to book a hotel in Pisa for at least one month.
Recommended facilities:
For more suggestions, please check this page on accommodation for international students.
Recommended assistance offices (Patronati) in Pisa:
If the examination of the application for a clearance for accompanying family members is successful, the delegate will be summoned by the Sportello Unico Immigrazione to collect the clearance, which will then be forwarded to the researcher. The Sportello Unico will send the clearance to the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.
Applying for a visa for accompanying family members is only possible after obtaining the clearance.
After obtaining the visa, upon arrival in Italy, non-EU citizens must proceed with the application for a residence permit within the first 8 days of arrival.
