Following the recent amendment to Article 23 of Legislative Decree 30/2007, it is informed that short-stay visas (VSU) for tourism/visit to family members will no longer be issued to foreign family members of Italian or EU citizens who intend to reunite with their family member permanently residing in Italy.
Therefore, starting from June 1, 2024, foreign family members of Italian/EU citizens traveling to Italy for family reunification will be issued a national visa for “family reasons” as provided by D.I. 850/2011 Annex A point 10.
Requirements and Conditions:
Family members entitled to family reunification are exclusively those identified in Article 2 of Legislative Decree 30/2007:
- The spouse;
- The partner who has contracted a registered partnership with the Union citizen based on the legislation of a Member State, provided the legislation of the host Member State equates the registered partnership to marriage and in accordance with the conditions laid down by the relevant legislation of the host Member State;
- Direct descendants under the age of 21 or dependent, and those of the spouse or partner referred to in letter b);
- Direct ascendants who are dependent, and those of the spouse or partner referred to in letter b).
Adopted/adopting persons and minors under guardianship/permanent foster care with orders issued under Law 184/83 are also equated to direct descendants/ascendants.
Visas will be issued free of charge (Article 5 paragraph 3 of Legislative Decree 30/2007). The visa application can be submitted at the Office through the Prenotami portal. No issuance of the SUI clearance is required. The visa will be valid for 365 days with multiple entries. Family members must apply for a residence permit for “family reasons” within 8 days of entering Italy by completing the appropriate kit at Post Offices (Minint circular 400.B/2023/1Div.4Sez prot 84545 of 19/9/2023).
Documentation:
- Invitation letter from the Italian/EU family member indicating the intention to exercise the right to family unity, accompanied by a valid identity document.
- Civil status documentation proving the family relationship under Article 2 of Legislative Decree 30/2007, translated and legalized, or a marriage or civil union certificate transcribed in Italy.
- In cases where dependency needs to be verified: proof of financial remittances by the Italian/EU citizen. The financial support must be structural (no minimum duration required) and must allow the beneficiary, considering their financial and social conditions in the country of origin or residence, to meet their essential needs (COM(2009)313 paragraph 2.1.4).
For family members (Article 2 of Legislative Decree 30/2007) accompanying or joining the Italian/EU citizen for periods of less than 3 months, a visa for tourism/visit to family members will continue to be issued free of charge. The relationship and, where required by law, the dependency will be subject to verification.
For other family members (Article 3 of Legislative Decree 30/2007) accompanying or joining the Italian/EU citizen for periods of less than 3 months, a visa for tourism/visit to family members will be issued. Visa applications will be processed and examined, provided the requirements are met, as ordinary requests for tourism visas – visit to family/friends. In these cases, the visa will not be free of charge.
