DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO ITALY?

​We want to talk in the following article about the procedure to apply to move from South Africa to Italy.

To immigrate to Italy from South Africa, it is required to apply for a visa. This immigration procedure has to be completed regardless of the duration of stay or the purpose of the visit. In Italy, just like in any other European country, there are two basic categories of visas – those issued for short-term stays, which allow the right to move to Italy for a period of maximum 90 days, and those for long-term stays, issued for stays longer than 90 days. 

WHAT ARE THE SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS IN ITALY?

Foreign nationals who relocate to Italy from South Africa must apply for a Schengen visa to have the right to stay here. The Schengen visa represents a document issued for stays with a maximum of 90 days in 180 days and recognized in the Schengen states, Italy included. 
The formalities for obtaining this visa have to be started in the country where the foreigner will first arrive in a Schengen state. This means that if the person will immigrate to Italy from South Africa and Italy will be the first country where the person will arrive, the visa issuance will fall under the supervision of the Italian authorities. 
To receive this document, the South African has to submit a set of documents that the Italian institutions will verify. Please keep in mind that although this visa requirement applies to most South Africans, specific categories of persons presented here are exempt from obtaining the Schengen visa for Italy. With regards to the issuance of the permit, the following are necessary: 

• the visa application form, completed as required, and providing all the necessary information;
• The travel document – the passport issued by the South African authorities and which must not be older than ten years;
• recent photographs and information on the official residential address in South Africa;
• A cover letter, through which the applicant will explain their main reasons for immigrating to Italy for a short period, as well as information on other European countries included in the travel itinerary (where applicable);
• the flight tickets, including the return tickets to South Africa;

Details on the address where the person will live in Italy or other European countries. 
As we said above, there are few exemptions on issuing this visa for persons who immigrate to Italy from South Africa. The visa exemption applies to persons who live in South Africa and arrived from Schengen states. Those South African citizens with dual citizenship and other citizenship in any of the Schengen states are also not required to apply for a visa. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOU IT?

South Africans are known as the African nation with one of the highest requests for European visas. South Africa is also one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, and one of the reasons why South Africans apply for visas in Europe is because they enjoy a better quality of life that allows citizens to travel overseas. 
Although specific categories of persons living in South Africa do not have to apply for a visa, they will need to obtain an ETIAS document, and this is requested starting on 1 January 2021;
Those who will relocate to Italy must have medical travel insurance that is recognized at a European level and which has coverage of EUR 30,000, the minimum amount required here;
The visa application will be followed by an interview, after which the person can receive an answer in approximately 15 days;
The visa application implies that South Africans will pay a processing fee of EUR 60;
Where minor children will be the visa holders, the visa fee will be charged at a lower rate of EUR 35, which applies to children ages 6 to 11. 
Persons starting this procedure must also verify any latest law modifications or new requirements with the Italian Consulate in Cape Town. However, an in-depth presentation can also be provided by our team of immigration lawyers in Italy, who can also help you obtain a visa for extended stays. 
If you need advice on obtaining a residence permit or are interested in applying for Italian citizenship, our team of lawyers remains at your disposal. You can contact our law firm at our e-mail address or give us a call, and our lawyers will answer all your inquiries on how to move to Italy. 
If you want to move from South Africa to this country, you can also apply for citizenship in Italy.
This right is granted to all foreigners who qualify for the procedure as long as they meet the minimum requirements for the category of citizenship they can apply for.
In most cases, foreigners can obtain citizenship through a process that is known as naturalization.
For this, a foreigner will have to move to Italy on a long-term basis and wait until they can become a permanent resident.
The standard period in which a foreigner can obtain permanent residency is five years. Shorter periods can apply only in certain situations regulated by the law, such as when a South African is married to a person who is an Italian national.
For those who want to obtain citizenship by arriving here as investors, it must be noted that the same rules apply (the standard rules) through the Golden Visa in Italy.

This one must know that the foreign citizen must first become a permanent resident (after five years of stay in Italy). Then, the right to apply for citizenship will be open after ten years of stay in Italy (this is the standard approach to citizenship by naturalization).

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