You will make your appointments online. A married couple will need TWO appointments. (But, it is just as likely when you get they and are standing at the window, that the officer will ask the other party it here, and just process it all together.)

NOTE: They do not list Health Insurance, but they will be required to show health insurance when you apply for Permesso so you might as well get it done now. (You can buy a policy, and then, when you are eventually accepted onto the National Health System, you can cancel that policy.)

NOTE 2: This is from the LA Consulate. They are unique in actually listing an income number. The typical statement is just “Substantial and sustained income sources.”

Visa applicants must appear in person and submit the following documents (1 original and 1 copy):

1. United States passport, or passport and Alien Registration Card. Passport must be valid for at least 3 (three) months beyong the validity date of the requested visa, and must have a blank page available for the vis2. One National (Italian) Visa Application Form, completely and clearly filled out, and to be signed in the

presence of a Consular Officer.

3. Two recent passport size photographs (2×2 inches in size, full face, front view, in color).

4. A letter from the applicant where he/she specifies the reason for his/her stay in Italy, length of stay, place of residence in Italy, name of persons accompanying the applicant such as spouse and children. The signature on the letter must be notarized. (Be creative. Try and come up with something that shows you have a personal connection to Italy. If you just say you love the country, language, food, they are likely to roll their eyes and say – Then take a vacation. I did mention language in mine, but went further and said I was very interested in the various dialects and hoped to be able to hear and study them.)

5. Documented and detailed guarantee of substantial and steady economic resources. (The general consensus is that you need at least 35 to 40K USD a year and add at least ten percent for each additional family member. If you are going to be renting your property in the US for income, they are going to want to see tax returns showing proof. So you likely will run into some pushback if you have no rental history. A fat bank account is no guarantee. They usually do not give much weight to something that could be spent at your discretion. Money is by far the key. Everything else is just forms.)

– Letters from banking institutions stating current available funds . The type of account, the account balance and monthly earnings.

These funds must be more than substantial and must generate revenues. (Even though we were not yet collecting Social Security benefits, we had the benefit forms showing how much we would get. We had a combination of IRA, private pension and SS. They have done this enough at the consulates to put it all together and see if you will have enough to never be a burden on the State.)

– Documents from other sources that will provide you with additional financial revenues. Such as Social Security pension or other type of pension, property ownership and lease agreements, business ownership and related documentation.

The visa applicant must show solid bank account/s and a set monthly income.

For example a single applicant must have a monthly income of minimum Euro 2,596.60 (at an exchange rate of $1.30 equals $3,375.58).

6. Documentation regarding dwelling in the city where you will reside: a signed rental agreement according to Italian rental regulations, , ownership of a livable apartment or home in Italy. Multiple bookings for houses/hotels and third party offer of hospitality cannot be accepted for this type of visa. (If you are going to rent, you are going to need a Registered Lease. This simply means a lease registered with the Comune. Sometimes people are not willing to do this for various, wink wink, tax reasons. It can also be a challenge to get a rental contract as Italians can often not wish to rent to non residents, and your will be waiting a fair time before you get you residency documents.)

7. Certified copy of marriage certificate and birth certificate/s (of children), if it applies.

8. Handling visa fee (please refer to the list of references on the right hand side of this page) will be paid in exact amount in cash, money order or cashiers check made out to the Consulate General of Italy. (They would not take cash at the Chicago Consulate!)

9. Provide a self-addressed  to yourself) pre-paid envelope (FedEx or Express Mail), if you wish to have your passport mailed back to you. The authorization form must be filled out.

The processing time for this visa may be up to 90 (ninety days). Therefore it is advisable to submit a visa request ninety days prior the expected departure date. Rush processing is not possible.

The foreigner holding an Italian Elective Residence visa is not allowed to work or seek employment under any conditions. (This includes remote work. It does not matter that you work for a US company, get paid in dollars and they are deposited in a US bank.)

This Consulate General will evaluate the documents submitted and may request additional ones at its discretion.

Furthermore, you should also be aware that submitting all required documentation does not automatically guarantee the issuance of a visa.