Investor Visa for Italy in 2022: A Guide to Applying

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Investor Visa for Italy and Citizenship? It’s true. 
Italian citizenship by investment is possible in the long term. 

The Government of Italy now lets foreign citizens acquire long-term residency by offering investment opportunities.

The investor visa in Italy, also known as the Golden Visa, not only gives you resident status in Italy.
 It is also your gateway to obtaining a long-term EU residency with exclusive rights and free access to the Schengen Zone.

Italy Investor Visa is a dream come true.
People love Italy for its thriving city life, rich culture, delectable food, low crime rate, and high-quality education. 
It is no wonder that Italy has the third largest migrant population in Europe. 

With the Italian investor visa, you can invest in a variety of promising business opportunities, as well as build a life in Europe’s most sought-after destinations. 

For High Net Worth Individuals moving to Italy, this is a risk-free, fast-track visa that comes with additional tax benefits. 

You can.
Are you considering obtaining permanent residence status in Italy?
Here is a comprehensive guide that will help you learn all you need to know about this program.
And what kind of benefits you can enjoy if you opt for it.

What is the Investor Visa for Italy?

The investor visa for Italy is a residency by investment program initiated by the Italian Government in 2018. 
However, since 2020, it has become a Golden Visa in the true sense of the word. 

It is a two-year visa that non-EU citizens can acquire, who can then become long-term residents and can later apply for Italian citizenship.
You can renew it for another 3 years.
So basically, this program grants you resident status in Italy with Schengen zone access, all because you have invested in Italy.

The investor visa Italy program targets High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) who can contribute to the Italian economy and the community by investing in Italy. 

Once you acquire your visa, you will be required to make your investment within the first three months of your entry into Italy. 

Here’s the step-by-step procedure:

Step One. “Nulla Osta” from the Investor Visa for Italy Committee.

First, you need to apply for a certificate of no impediment, also called a Nulla Osta. 

For this, you need to fill out some online forms and submit copies of the required documents. 

You’ll need the following documents:

[Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. The list above is not complete. Each case will be processed on a case-by-case basis.]

Once submitted, the Investor Visa for Italy Committee will review all the documents. 

You will typically hear back on the decision regarding your Nulla Osta within 30 days. 

After approval, you can apply for an Italian Investor visa. 

Step Two. Getting the Investor Visa Italy from the Italian Consulate.

Once the Investor Visa Comitato approves your Nulla Osta has, it’s valid for six months. 

You will have to apply for an Investor Visa Italy during that time. 

You can use it at an Italian consulate or embassy. 

You’ll need the following documents:

These documents must be in English or Italian to be considered valid. 

If they are in a different language, they’ll have to be translated by a certified organization or person. 

Once the documents have been reviewed and approved, the visa is valid for two years. 

Step Three. Get the Residence Permit and make the Investment.

You’ll need to go to Italy within two years of obtaining your investor visa for Italy. 

Once you get there, you have to take specific steps to obtain your residence permit.

• First, you need to visit the local police headquarters to apply for a residence permit as the owner of the investor visa for Italy. 
  This permit will be valid for two years from the day you first come to Italy. 
  
• Once you have that permit, you will have to fulfill your investment commitment.
  If you don’t do so within three months, your visa will be revoked. 
  
• You can renew your permit after two years, but you have to maintain your donation or investment.
  Subsequent renewals last for three years.

After being in the country for five years, you can apply for a long-term EU residency. 

Then you can obtain citizenship by naturalization after being in Italy for ten years. 

How is Italy’s Golden Visa Different from Other Countries?

The main difference between other countries’ Golden Visa programs and the Italian program is that individuals have to do either of the following things:

• Purchase government bonds
• Invest in an Italian Company (i.e. buying stocks) or a start-up 

Unlike some countries, Italy does not offer visas for real estate investments (for the moment).

There’s another major difference (and benefit) for the Investment Visa Italy.

With the Italian Investor Visa program, you will make the investment only AFTER you have your Visa.
You have not made the investment before, like in other EU Golden Visa programs.

You understand how this element is important.

You won’t lose your money if the Italian Consulate won’t approve your Visa.

How Can You Become Eligible for an Italian Investor Visa?

To become eligible for the Italian investor visa, you must meet the following requirements:

A good feature of the Italian investor visa program is that you only have to make your investment once approved. 

It means you don’t have to worry about your investment going to waste.

How Will the Italian Investor Visa Benefit You?

As an Italian citizen, you can enjoy many opportunities and benefits.

• Access to Cheaper Education 

Italy’s education system is quite affordable.
With the Investor Visa Italy, you can pay EU tuition rates which are considerably cheaper than the costs of education in the United States. 

• Employment Perks

Companies with worldwide offices prefer sending dual citizenship holders to other locations since obtaining a work visa could save the hassle.

• Great Entrepreneurship Opportunities

As an entrepreneur with dual citizenship, you will have a currency with one economic zone.
With no restrictions that might have been imposed upon you as a non-EU citizen.

• Tax Benefits

As an Italian Golden Visa holder with a high worldwide income, you can enjoy tax benefits. 
Due to these tax benefits, regardless of your income or the number of resources you have, you only have to pay a fixed tax amount.

• Travel Benefits

Having dual citizenship allows you to work, live and travel in any EU country. 
Throughout the EU, you will not require visas while traveling.

• Eligible for Healthcare in Italy and other European Countries

As an Italian investor visa holder, you can register for an Italian National Healthcare Card.
And you can then receive Italian and EU healthcare.
With this card, you are also eligible to receive emergency healthcare services in other countries in Europe. 

• Citizenship for Your Children

Once you become an Italian citizen after obtaining the Italian investor visa, you can pass on your citizenship to your children as well.

• Numerous Embassies at your Service

When you are in an area where you cannot find an Italian embassy, you can seek help from any EU embassy once you obtain an EU passport.

• Protection as a European Citizen

You are also guaranteed protection by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 
It’s a set of laws that protects the rights of people who reside in countries members of the Council of Europe.
All members of the EU strictly follow these rules to protect European citizens within their borders.

Will You Need an Italian Immigration Lawyer for Your Italian Investor Visa?

Yes, you will.

The paperwork and the process of applying for an investor visa can be overwhelming.
Especially if you haven’t done it before.

Also, where you have numerous investment options and donations to choose from, it will be hard to evaluate the legitimacy of the companies. 
Opting for the naturalization route to obtain citizenship could also be daunting. 

Your immigration lawyer can help you find the best option within your budget and help you complete all the requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Investor Visa Italy.

Expert Consultation for Your Italian Investor Visa Application.

Applying for the Italian Investor Visa might seem like an overwhelming process. 

You don’t want to spend so many hours preparing your documents and end up getting rejected over a minor detail. 

It is why you should partner with a qualified Italian investor visa professional to make sure the application process goes smoothly.

To book a consultation on your Investor Visa Italy, contact us at Bersani Law Firm!