Your experiences of relocating to Italy, ERV process

Buongiorno Catherine,

The Italian Elective Residency Visa is for foreigners – retired persons, persons with high self-sustaining incomes and financial assets - who have chosen Italy as their country of permanent residence and who are able to support themselves autonomously, without having to rely on employment whilst in Italy, whether as dependent employees, as self-employed employees, or as employees working remotely online. You cannot finance your residence in Italy through any type of work.

Individuals who receive an elective residency visa cannot work for a domestic employer nor can they rely on a salary; they must be able to sustain themselves from their existing financial assets, such as annuities, stocks, pensions, bonds, and so forth.

The elective residency visa is valid for exactly 365 days. Upon arriving in Italy, applicants must apply at the local Questura (Police Headquarters) for a permesso di soggiorno (residency permit). Every year the Questura will verify that the applicant still meets all of the requirements for elective residency and re-issue the permesso di soggiorno.

The elective residency visa is the most strictly regulated visa. The law requires Consular officers to investigate elective residency visa applications thoroughly. The Ministry permits Consular officers to take up to 90 days to review and process an elective residency visa application. Most Consulates try to keep their processing time at thirty days, however, it is never guaranteed. Some Consulates require an aeroplane ticket/flight reservation for your application, some do not, and some advise that applicants do not purchase aeroplane tickets until they have received their visas (please check your specific Consulate's requirements). Processing time of your application cannot be accelerated.

Residency visas can also be issued to dependent spouses (joined by marriage or civil union), children who are minors, and dependent children over 18 living with their parents, assuming that the applicant can demonstrate adequate financial assets to support them. Each adult must submit an individual application.

In order to apply, you must make an appointment at the Italian Consulate in your jurisdiction; fill out the application form, and prepare all the necessary documents; and then present these documents in person at your appointment.

You can book your appointment through the PRENOT@MI portal which you will find on the Consulate's website.

Each appointment is for one adult and any children who are minors they may have.

Required documentation depends on your Consulate/Embassy.

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