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Question about traveling back to US once you have your Elective Residence Visa

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isabella7

2/24/2016 07:29 EST

I hope to get my Elective Residence visa for Italy starting mid-May and move to Italy about that time. Question: I need to travel back to the US in mid August for a family wedding for about 1 week. Does the visa prohibit travel back to the US or outside of Italy for that year or for any period of time? Can anyone share on this topic? thank you.

Sergios

2/24/2016 07:57 EST

No. You're not restricted. Did you know if you are a direct descendent of an Italian [man before 1947 and man and woman after], you do not need a VISA if you travel to italy with the intent of getting your jur sanguine citizenship? You still have to apply for a permesso di sogiorno, gain residency and apply for your citizenship. It takes 1 year if you had citizenship and out it, two years if your parent was a citizen and three years if your ancestor was a citizen. It has to be direct, no cousins, uncles, etc.

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guestuser

2/24/2016 08:04 EST

Hi. Normally, the elective residence visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries/exits. Once you move in May, you must apply for your Permesso di Soggirono within 8 days. The tricky part of being gone during August is that getting one's Permesso is a three step process (application submission, appointment to give fingerprints, pick up permesso when issued) and the intermediate step of giving fingerprints could fall sometime during August. You will know your appointment date for that when you submit your application as they give you a receipt with your appointment date on it. With luck, that date will not coincide with attending the wedding. Check the date you're given and if it does conflict, ask the person that gives you the appointment date if it is possible to have him/her reschedule.

Umbertomar

2/24/2016 08:45 EST

I had the same situation and I asked for a reschedule at the police station and it was easily granted. Also, I was out of Italy when my permesso was issued, I advised the police and they held it for me. I am in Sardinia and all seems a little smoother than what I see on the posts in this forum.

guestuser

2/24/2016 09:14 EST

Yes, Umbertomar, it can be done differently in every town. That's what makes it difficult to help folks with questions. Regulations and processing aren't always done the same way. I'm glad you were able to easily make other arrangements. Where I live, it's like pulling teeth to get help. Sigh.

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