INVESTOR VISA

WHAT IS AN INVESTOR VISA?

The investor visa for Italy is a program introduced in Italy in 2017 by which the state, in exchange for an investment in the territory, offers non-EU nationals to obtain a visa and subsequent residence permit.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE INVESTOR VISA?

• A natural person (+18);
• A foreign legal person represented by its legal counsel.

FOR WHAT TYPES OF INVESTMENTS CAN THE VISA BE APPLIED FOR?

It is important to clarify that the visa is issued for a single investment, not for multiple investments or combined investments to different entities.

The investments mainly are:

• Government securities issued by the Republic with a minimum value of 2 million euros;
• Shares or quotas of Italian corporations for a minimum value of 500 thousand euros;
• Units and shares of new and innovative start-ups for a minimum value of 250 thousand euros;
• Charitable, philanthropic donations and in public benefit projects in the field of scientific, cultural, artistic research, development and eco-sustainability for a minimum value of 1 million euros.

INVESTOR VISA RESIDENCE PERMIT

As provided for in Article 26-bis, paragraph 1 of Legislative Decree 286/1998 TUI, after obtaining a visa and once they arrive in Italy, foreign citizens are issued a residence permit that lasts two years and can be renewed.
The maintenance of this benefit is linked to two requirements:

• Compliance with the investment or donation;
• The maintenance of the investment for the duration of the residence permit.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING INVESTOR VISA

The process is basically divided into two stages:

1. Application for the clearance;
2. Visa application at the embassy and consulate.

The body in charge of ascertaining the conformity of visa applications and the requirements for issuance is the "Investor Visa for Italy Committee," it is composed of representatives of institutions with expertise in migration, financial and business aspects.

Documents to be attached to the application are:

• A valid passport;
• A resume showing previous education and work experience;
• The applicant must demonstrate that he/she has the required financial resources and especially that these are of lawful origin and therefore transferable;
• A document certifying that the applicant is free from any pending load lasting more than twelve months in the last ten years of life from the age of majority is required;
• The applicant through a statement must describe in detail the purpose of the investment.

Within one week of submitting the application, the applicant will receive feedback on whether the documentation will be deemed eligible or ineligible.

• If the documentation is declared ineligible the person has thirty days to supplement the application with the missing material, if this is not enough the application is rejected

After obtaining the clearance the applicant has six months to apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate and two years to enter Italian territory.