Where and how to make a request for family reunification?

The request for family reunification authorisation required for the relevant entry visa is made at the immigration office in the place of residence, by completing the relevant electronic form directly through the website of the Ministry of the Interior.

As of 17 August 2017, the applicant must scan and electronically submit documentation regarding their income and residency availability.

The Italian Embassy in the country of origin issues an entry visa for family reasons to a foreign national after the Immigration Office of the competent prefecture in Italy has issued the authorisation.

The visa issued for family reunification allows the entry into Italy for the purpose of long-term, fixed-term or indefinite stay of family members of foreign nationals legally residing in Italy. Family reunification can be requested at the immigration window of the place of residence, by completing all the necessary modules directly on the website of the Ministry of the Interior:

nullaostalavoro.interno.it

Which types of residence permit holders can request family reunification to Italy?

• A residence permit for employment or self-employment, for a period of at least one year;
• Political refugee residence permit;
• IOU’s for additional protection;
• Residence permit for studies, residence permit for religious reasons,
• Residence permit for family reasons;
• EU residence permit for long-term residents;
• Residence permit pending citizenship.

P.S. Having a request for renewal of these types of residence permits allows you to apply for a family reunification permit.

For which non-EU foreign family members can I apply for reunification?

• A spouse who is legally married, at least eighteen years of age, and not otherwise married to the other legally residing spouse;
• Minor children, whether children of spouses or born out of wedlock, or of the other parent, provided that the other parent, if any, consents. Adopted minor children, fiduciaries or protectees are equal to their children;
• adult dependent children if, for objective reasons, they are unable to provide for their indispensable necessities of life due to their state of health, which is associated with total disability (100 per cent);
• dependent parents if they have no other children in their country of origin or residence and are not married to another legally resident spouse ;
• Parents over the age of 65 if other children cannot support them due to documented serious health problems and are not married to another spouse who is legally living with them;
• direct descendants of first degree minors, unaccompanied, refugee status.

Family reunificationprocedure

The family reunification procedure is divided into two stages:

The firststageconcerns the verification of the objective requirements for authorisation (residence permit, income, place of residence).

The second stageis the verification of all data, issuance of entry visa (family ties and other requirements for family members to be reunited).

Pack of documents to request family reunification:

• A copy of the residence permit of the person requested. The total duration of the residence permit must be at least one year. It is possible to submit a request even if you have a receipt for an application to extend your residence permit;
• A stamp in the amount of 16.00 euros;
• Passport of the requesting person;
• A copy of the passport of the relatives to be reunited;

As well as the requirements and documentation needed to obtain a reunification permit

Income:

The minimum annual income derived from legal sources must not be less than the annual amount of the social benefit doubled for each family member to be reunited.

• Applicant – €5,825 per year;
• Reunification of 1 family member (even if under 14 years of age) – €8,833.5 per year;
• Reunion of 2 family members (even if one of them is under 14 years old) 11,778,00 euros per year;
• Reunification of 3 family members (even if one of them is under 14 years old) 14,722,50 euros per year;
• Reunion of 4 family members (even if one of them is under 14 years old) 17,667,00 euros per year;
• Reunification of 5 family members (even if one of them is under 14 years old) 20,611,50 euros per year;
• Reunification of 6 family members (even if one of them is under 14 years of age) 23,556,00 euros per year.
• Reunification with two or more children under 14 years of age – the minimum income will be € 11,778,00.

For each person reunited in addition to children under 14 years of age (children over 14 years of age, spouses or parents), the sum of €2,944.50 for each person must be added to the sum of €11,778.00. Not only the specific income of the applicant is taken into account, but also the income derived from the cohabitation of all family members.

P.S. Holders of refugee and subsidiary protection status do not have to demonstrate their income.

Documentation proving the applicant’s income must be delivered at the time of the summons to the Immigration Service.

Detailed list of documents #2 (family reunification).

Health insurance for parents.

In the case of a request for reunification of parent(s) over sixty-five years of age, health insurance is required, pending a decree setting the amount of the contribution for voluntary registration in the SSN. A declaration of intent to take out an insurance policy will suffice at the time of application.

The insurance policy must be signed within 8 days from the date of entry into Italian territory and before submitting the documents to the Migration Service office. The insurance policy must not have an expiry date and must cover risks of illness, accidents and maternity.

Warning. It is extremely difficult for persons over sixty-five years of age to obtain health insurance policies when uninsured. A decree that provides for voluntary enrolment in SSNs is being drafted.

Place of residence.

The applicant must have a dwelling that fulfils the requirements of habitability and meets the hygiene and sanitation criteria. The certification shall be issued by the competent municipal offices. Documentation required for accommodation:

• A copy of the tenancy agreement, free loan agreement or certificate of ownership of the dwelling;
• Housing suitability and sanitation certification, i.e. a municipal certificate confirming that the housing meets the parameters set by law and complies with sanitation standards;
• if the applicant lives in a hostel: a certified declaration from the owner of the accommodation confirming the consent to the reunification of the family members named with reference to the part of the accommodation provided to the worker (Model S2);
• in the case of reunification with a child under the age of 14, if the child follows only one parent, the municipal certificate is replaced by the consent of the owner of the dwelling in which the child will actually reside (model S1 ).

If the applicant specifies housing other than that in which he/she resides, the requirement shall be met both if it is the intention of the caller to move into that housing at the time of the family member’s arrival and if the caller intends to provide the family member with housing other than his/her own.

This requirement does not apply to:

• Holders of refugee status and subsidiary protection status.
• Foreign researchers who request family reunification.

Criteria currently applicable to the suitability of housing (recommended by ministerial circular):

Area per inhabitant:

• 1 resident – 14 sq.
• 2 residents – 28 sq.
• 3 residents – 42 sq.
• 4 residents – 56 sq.
• for each subsequent resident + 10 sq. m.

Composition of the room

• Bedroom for 1 person – 9m²
• Bedroom for 2 people – 14m
• + living room 14m2

For single occupancy

• 1 person – 28 sq.m (including bathroom)
• 2 persons – 38 sq.m. (including bathroom)

Minimum heights

Dwellings must have a minimum height of 2.70 metres, which may be reduced to 2.55 metres for mountain municipalities and 2.40 metres for corridors, bathrooms, corridors and storage areas.

Ventilation

The living room and kitchen should have a window that can be opened, and bathrooms should have (if not windowed) mechanical ventilation.

Heating system

The dwelling should be equipped with a heating system where weather conditions make this necessary.

–Demonstrating a family connection

Certificate of marital status, in the case of reunification in favour of a spouse, to show that there is no other spouse in the territory;

When an applicant has refugee or subsidiary protection status, the absence of this documentation cannot lead to the rejection of their application.

Marriage certificate of the parent in case of reunification with the latter to verify the possible presence of the spouse in the national territory and the absence of another marital relationship.

The article turned out to be quite large, there is a lot of material, but the information is very relevant.

We hope this material has been helpful to you.

What happens after you apply for family reunification is described in more detail here.