Key Takeaways
• Applicants need a valid Nulla Osta, showing proof of family relationship and sponsor’s legal status in Italy.
• The visa fee is €116; biometric fingerprints are required from January 11, 2025, during the application process.
• Residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) must be requested within 8 days of arrival in Italy.
The Italy National Type D visa is an important way for Non-EU Citizens to live with their close family members who already reside legally in Italy 🇮🇹. This visa, sometimes called the family reunification visa, helps keep families together when one or more members are from countries outside of the European Union. If you have a spouse, child, or dependent parent in Italy 🇮🇹, this guide will show you step by step how to apply for the Italy National Type D visa, what documents you need, how long the process usually takes, what fees to expect, and what to do after you arrive in Italy 🇮🇹.
Before you start, it is a good idea to check with your closest Italian embassy or consulate for the most current rules. VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that this process can seem complicated at first, but with clear instructions and good preparation, you can avoid common problems.
Below you will find an easy-to-follow guide that breaks the process down into simple steps, gives you tips, helps you avoid mistakes, and answers the most common questions about the Italy National Type D visa for family reunification.
Checklist of Needed Documents and Steps
Here’s a quick checklist of the main documents you will likely need:
- Type D visa application form (signed and filled out)
- A valid passport (must be valid at least 3 months past your intended stay)
- Two recent passport photos
- Proof of how you are related to your sponsor in Italy 🇮🇹 (marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificate for children, document proving dependency for parents)
- Copy of your relative’s valid Italian residence permit
- Nulla Osta (entry clearance) that your family member in Italy 🇮🇹 requests for you
- Invitation letter from your relative in Italy 🇮🇹
- Proof you have a place to stay in Italy 🇮🇹 and money to support yourself
- Health insurance policy covering medical needs in Italy 🇮🇹
- For children: extra documents like parental consent
- Receipt for the visa fee payment
This checklist should help you stay organized as you move through the process.
Step 1: Find Out if You Qualify
The Italy National Type D visa for family reunification is only for Non-EU Citizens who want to live with a close family member already living in Italy 🇮🇹. You must fit these rules:
- You are not a citizen of an EU country.
- The person inviting you already lives in Italy 🇮🇹 and holds a valid residence permit (meaning they are legally allowed to stay in Italy 🇮🇹).
- You are closely related as one of the following:
- Spouse (husband, wife, or registered partner)
- Child under 18 (or over 18, if you can prove you depend on this person)
- Parents, if you are dependent on them for support
If you do not fit these family relationships, or if your family member does not have a valid residence permit, you will not be able to use this visa type.
Tip: If your sponsor is an EU citizen living in Italy 🇮🇹, different rules may apply and Nulla Osta may not be needed.
Step 2: Your Family Member in Italy 🇮🇹 Requests “Nulla Osta”
Before you can apply for the Italy National Type D visa, your sponsor in Italy 🇮🇹 (the person you want to join) must get an important paper called “Nulla Osta.” This is an entry clearance letter from the local Immigration Desk (Sportello Unico per l’immigrazione).
How your sponsor requests Nulla Osta:
a. Your relative (sponsor) logs into the Immigration Desk online service in Italy 🇮🇹 and fills out a request for entry clearance for you.
b. They turn in supporting documents proving their relationship to you, their legal status in Italy 🇮🇹, and that they have enough income and a suitable place for you to live.
c. Once the Italian authorities approve, they issue the Nulla Osta certificate, usually as a stamped or printed letter. It should not be more than 6 months old when you apply for your visa.
Important: Without this document, you cannot continue the visa application. In some cases where the sponsor is an EU citizen, Nulla Osta may not be needed.
Step 3: Collect All Documents
Once you have the Nulla Osta, gather all the documents needed for your application. Make sure every paper is up-to-date and matches your sponsor’s information. The main documents are:
- Type D visa application form (fill in everything truthfully and sign)
- Passport (valid for at least 3 months after your visa is supposed to expire)
- Two recent color passport photos
- Document(s) proving your family relationship (for example: official marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate, or proof you depend on your parent)
- Copy of your family member’s Italian residence permit
- Nulla Osta (not more than 6 months old)
- Invitation letter from your sponsor (plus their ID document copy)
- Proof your sponsor has enough money to support you
- Proof of a suitable place for you to live in Italy 🇮🇹
- Proof of health insurance that meets Italian and Schengen area rules (in case you need medical care)
- For minors: travel consent letters or court papers showing all custodial parents agree
Note: All papers from outside Italy 🇮🇹 must be officially translated into Italian and sometimes must be legalized or provided with an apostille (a kind of official stamp).
Step 4: Schedule Your Appointment for the Visa
Next, book an appointment with the Italian embassy or consulate in the country where you legally live. You cannot usually mail the application or send it online, so you must attend in person. Check the embassy or consulate’s website for the correct procedure and times.
Tip: Appointments can fill up quickly, especially during summer and holidays. Book as soon as you have the Nulla Osta and your documents ready.
Caution: As of January 11, 2025, you will also need to give fingerprints (biometric data) during your appointment. This is a new rule for all applicants.
Step 5: Submit Your Application in Person
Go to your embassy or consulate appointment with all your original documents and copies. Bring along:
- Your completed visa form
- Passport
- Photos
- Nulla Osta
- Proof of relationship/dependence
- Health insurance
- Proof of accommodation and financial means
Pay the visa fee during this appointment (currently €116, but check as fees can change). Some consulates may charge small extra local processing fees.
Tip: Keep payment receipts safe. They may be needed as proof later.
At your appointment, officials will check your paperwork and may ask you questions if anything seems unclear.
Step 6: Wait for Processing
The usual processing time is between 30 and 90 days, depending on the workload at the consulate, the season, and whether you submitted all documents correctly. In some countries, the average wait is as short as two to three weeks if everything is in order.
Note: If you leave out documents or if the consulate needs to double-check things, your application could be delayed. Always double-check your file before your appointment.
Your passport usually stays with the consulate during processing. If you need it urgently (for other travel, for example), let them know in advance.
Step 7: Collect Your Visa and Travel to Italy 🇮🇹
If your visa is approved, you will receive your passport back with an Italy National Type D visa sticker inside. This allows you to enter Italy 🇮🇹 for family reunification.
If your visa is denied, the consulate will explain why in writing. You may have a right to appeal the decision.
Tip: Check your visa to make sure your details are correct (name, validity, purpose “family reunification”). If you see a mistake, tell the consulate before you travel.
Step 8: Apply for Your Residence Permit in Italy 🇮🇹
Once you arrive in Italy 🇮🇹, you must apply for a residence permit (called “permesso di soggiorno”) within 8 days. This is a paper that lets you stay in Italy 🇮🇹 long-term.
How to apply:
a. Go to the local post office or police headquarters (Questura) in the community where your sponsor lives.
b. Fill out a residence permit kit (usually handed out at the post office or available at the Questura).
c. Attach copies of the same documents you used for your visa, plus your visa and passport.
d. Submit the kit (the post office will give you a receipt and tell you when to go to the police for your fingerprints and final steps).
Important: If you do not apply for the residence permit within 8 days, you may have problems with your status in Italy 🇮🇹.
Validity and Renewal
The Italy National Type D visa for family reunification usually gives you a stay of one year at first. Once you have your residence permit, you can renew it as long as your situation does not change (your family relationship continues, and your sponsor still meets the income/housing rules).
Note: Always renew your permit before it expires to avoid losing your legal stay. Check the local Questura website for their renewal process.
Fees and Money Matters
- Application fee for the visa: €116
- Some extra local fees may apply at the embassy or consulate
- Residence permit fees after arrival may also be due; these change from year to year
All visa application fees are normally non-refundable, even if your application is not approved.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Missing or out-of-date documents: Double-check every paper and make sure it is still valid (especially Nulla Osta must be less than 6 months old at submission).
- Not enough proof of relationship: Submit official, original records; if naming or dates differ, be ready to explain and support your claim.
- Delays in appointment booking: Book your embassy/consulate appointment as soon as you have your Nulla Osta.
- Forgetting the residence permit after arrival: Apply within 8 days of coming to Italy 🇮🇹.
- Incorrect translations or missing apostilles on foreign documents: Always use certified translators and follow Italian legalization rules for foreign paperwork.
Best Practices for a Smooth Process
- Prepare all your documents in advance and keep copies.
- Confirm entry clearance is recent (less than 6 months old).
- Translate and legalize all supporting papers as required by Italian law.
- Stay in touch with your family sponsor, since they might need to provide more information.
- Follow up on appointments and deadlines with the consulate and after arrival in Italy 🇮🇹.
After Getting the Visa: What to Expect
Once you get your Italy National Type D visa and arrive in Italy 🇮🇹, you will likely feel excited and possibly a bit nervous. Applying for the residence permit quickly will help you settle, so make this a top priority.
After you start the permit process, you can often access health care, schools (for children), and other services as a legal resident.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the family reunification visa is seen by many as the simplest way for Non-EU Citizens to join loved ones living legally in Italy 🇮🇹, as long as you carefully follow the application steps and do not skip any requirements.
Where to Get More Help
If you have questions about any step, or if your case involves special issues (such as adoption, children from previous marriages, or special medical situations), you should:
- Contact your closest Italian consulate or embassy. The official government website gives regularly updated rules and requirements.
- Seek help from an immigration lawyer or accredited consultant in your area, especially if you have a complex case or have had a visa denied before.
- Stay informed by checking for updates, as Italy 🇮🇹 sometimes changes visa rules with little notice.
This guide has covered the steps and advice for the Italy National Type D visa for family reunification for Non-EU Citizens. By preparing carefully and acting early, you can join your loved ones in Italy 🇮🇹 and start your life together with greater peace of mind.
Learn Today
Nulla Osta → An Italian government entry clearance document needed for family reunification, proving official approval for the applicant’s arrival.
Permesso di soggiorno → A residence permit required for legal long-term stay in Italy; must be obtained within 8 days of arrival.
Type D visa → A long-stay Italian visa for purposes like family reunification, valid typically for stays over 90 days.
Apostille → An official certification that makes a foreign document legally recognized in Italy, confirming its authenticity.
Sportello Unico per l’immigrazione → The local Italian Immigration Desk that handles family reunification and entry clearance (Nulla Osta) requests.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Italy National Type D visa allows Non-EU Citizens to join close family in Italy through family reunification. Applicants require a Nulla Osta entry clearance, detailed documentation, and personal embassy appointment. Timely residence permit application, proper paperwork, and fee payments are crucial for approval. The process demands attention to deadlines and accuracy.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Italy National Type D Visa eases reunification for families of Non-EU citizens
• Spain National (Type D) Family Reunification Visa: Who Can Apply?
• Guide to Italy’s Family Reunification Visa for Non-EU Relatives
• French Republic simplifies family reunification with long-stay visa
• Spousal Sponsorship in Canada: Family Reunification & Open Work Permits
