Eligibility Quiz
Documents Required
For the Nulla Osta Application (Sponsor in Italy)
The sponsor initiates the process by applying for a nulla osta (authorization for family reunification) from the local Immigration Desk (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) at the Prefecture.
Sponsor's identity documents:
- Valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) or receipt of renewal application
- Passport or travel document
- Tax identification code (codice fiscale)
Proof of income:
- Tax return (dichiarazione dei redditi) for the previous year
- Pay slips (buste paga) for employed workers
- CU (Certificazione Unica) — annual income certificate from employer
- Bank statements showing regular income deposits
Proof of housing:
- Title deed or rental contract proving housing availability
- Certificato di Idoneità Alloggiativa (housing suitability certificate) issued by the municipality
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas) in the sponsor's name
Family relationship documents:
- Your birth certificate (translated and legalized/apostilled if issued abroad)
- Marriage certificate of the sponsor (if applicable, translated and legalized)
- If you were born outside marriage: written consent from the other parent (translated and legalized)
- If you are adopted: adoption decree (translated and legalized)
Administrative documents:
- Two revenue stamps (marca da bollo) at €16 each
- Completed application forms (models S1, S2, S3, S4 depending on circumstances)
For the Visa Application (Child at Consulate)
Once the nulla osta is issued and communicated to the consulate, you apply for the family reunification visa at the Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
- Valid passport or travel document (valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa's intended validity)
- Nulla osta (original or notification received by the consulate)
- Birth certificate (original and copy, translated and legalized if issued abroad)
- Passport-style photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, full front, white background)
- Completed visa application form
- Written consent from the other parent (if applicable, translated and legalized)
- Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate of sponsor, if applicable)
For the Residence Permit Application (Child in Italy)
Within 8 days of arrival in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per motivi familiari) at the local police headquarters (Questura) or through the Immigration Desk.
- Passport and travel documents
- Postal kit (kit postale) obtained from Poste Italiane (Italian postal service)
- Revenue stamp (marca da bollo) — €16
- Completed application forms
Translation and Legalization Requirements
All documents issued abroad must be professionally translated into Italian and legalized.
- Apostille: Required for documents from countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention (most countries worldwide)
- Legalization: Required for documents from countries not party to the Hague Convention; must be legalized at the Italian consulate in the country of origin
- Translation: Must be certified by a professional translator recognized by the Italian consulate