LIFESTYLE
Italian Dual Citizenship- How Expert Assistance Can Help
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As the concept of dual citizenship gains popularity in the US, Italy emerges as one of the leading second passport destinations for Americans. There are valid reasons for it, from incredible landscape to pleasant weather, excellent employment opportunities, favorable business environment, and rich culture and heritage. You can live, work, and study in the EU and travel visa-free to different parts of the world. The citizenship passes on to your next generations, which makes it a great investment for your family
But getting Italian dual citizenship is easier said than done because there is a long list of steps to follow as a part of the process. Still, having expert assistance from the start gets you in a good place to avail approval easily and without any unnecessary delays and hassles. Before understanding the value of professional guidance, you need to learn more about the process itself. Let us explain the process in detail first.
Process and eligibility
The process for getting Italian dual citizenship depends on the option that works for you, which we will discuss in detail. Before you apply, you must double-check the eligibility criteria and requirements to ensure that you meet them. Further, you will also require a long list of documents to be filed along with the application.
Once you have all the documents, you must fill the paperwork and submit the application to the prefecture. At this stage, you will have to pay an application fee of €300, which remains the same regardless of where you apply from and the route you choose for claiming citizenship. It is best to seek expert assistance at this stage because they can handhold you through the complex process.
Know your options
The most crucial aspect of applying for Italian dual citizenship is finding the best option. The country has different routes for providing citizenship, and you can select the one that matches your situation and needs. Let us explain these in detail.
Citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis)
You are entitled to apply for Italian citizenship if you have ancestors in the country. Here are the eligibility criteria to explore:
- Either or both parents was an Italian citizen when the applicant born
- The applicant was adopted as a minor by a person of Italian descent (minor means 21 years of age if born before 1975 and 18 of age if born after 1975)
- At least one of the Italian ancestors of the applicant was alive and an Italian citizen after 1861
- Neither the Italian-born ancestor nor any of the ancestors in the Italian line became a citizen of another country by naturalization before the next person in the Italian line was born
You will require documentary proof at the time of your application to validate the facts about your bloodline and prove the connection to your Italian relative. Further, you will also need personal identification documents such as your passport, birth certificate, and proof of residency to complete the application formalities. If you have the right kind of proof, this is perhaps the easiest way to attain a second passport to the country.
Citizenship by marriage (Jure Matrimonii)
Another way to acquire Italian citizenship is by marriage, which applies to people who are married to an Italian citizen. You have to wait for two years after the marriage to apply if you live in Italy. For those who register their marriage abroad and live outside Italy, you will have to wait for 3 years to apply. The period can be halved if you have biological or adopted children with your spouse, which can speed up the process to a significant extent. Necessary documentation includes a marriage certificate, a standard proof of residency, and criminal background clearance. You will also have to clear a language test to get through.
Citizenship by naturalization
This option applies to non-EU citizens who have lived in Italy for at least ten years, which makes them eligible for Italian citizenship by naturalization. However, the following exceptions apply:
- You can apply after only 4 years of residence in Italy if you are an EU citizen
- Only 3 years of residence is needed for non-EU foreigners with an Italian-born parent
Citizenship by investment
The new Golden Visa program is a new route applicable to people who want to settle here through investment. The option targets high net worth individuals who want to immigrate to Italy. You have to fulfill the following criteria to be eligible:
- Invest €500,000 in an Italian startup working in an innovative field
- Invest €1 million in an Italian company that fulfills the government criteria
- Invest €1 million in a project that benefits the country’s economy
- Invest €2 million in government bonds
Anyone applying for a Golden Visa needs to be over 18 years of age. They must have a flawless criminal record and should be in good health.
Each of these options has its own process, eligibility requirements, and documentation norms. You can consider your situation to understand the one ideally suited for you. Since a step-by-step guide can be found on the Bersani Law Firm website, it is the best place to understand everything in detail and take your pick. Even better, you can connect with experts and seek their guidance and assistance for going ahead with the application process.
Benefits of expert assistance
Now that you have a fair idea about the complexity of each of the options, it makes sense to proceed only with the right guidance at hand. Collaborating with experts who know the A to Z of Italian citizenship laws and regulations is a great idea. Here are the benefits you can avail yourself of from expert assistance.
- Guide you about the process
The overall process of Italian citizenship application is complex enough, and there are finer details relating to each of the options. It is easy to get confused about the process, even if you have the information readily available on the website. Having a professional to look after the process from start to end gives you an advantage because they know everything down to the detail. You can be more confident about doing everything right when you have these professionals handling things for you.
- Explore routes and suggest the best one
Although the citizenship routes sound pretty simple, choosing the best option may get tricky at times. What if you have Italian ancestors and are married to an Italian citizen? Which route will be the best for you? Which one will get you there within the shortest time span? An expert can help you pick the right option considering the complexities of your case.
- Help with documentation
While the application process is cumbersome enough, the long list of documents you will need makes it even more challenging. The tricky part is that you may have to search for ancestral birth, death, and marriage proofs in their Italian cities of residence. If you live overseas, there will be the complex task of getting them translated and validated by local authorities. A professional partner can simplify these tasks by taking the responsibility of documentation, so you never have to worry about missing anything on the list.
- Speed up the process
Each of the citizenship routes has a specific timeline for processes, and they extend for years depending on the waiting period and bureaucracy. To make things worse, even a tiny omission can delay the process further and keep your application hung up for years and years. A seasoned professional has solid contacts and knows the process by heart, which makes them capable of preventing unnecessary delays and hindrances in the completion of the process.
- Eliminate errors
While experts make sure that there are no omissions or missed paperwork in your application, they also go the extra mile to eliminate errors. They check each document precisely to make sure that every date, time, and the place is correct. They will also go through the forms to double-check that there aren’t any errors therein. Once you have everything in place, you can expect a smooth sail ahead.
Partnering with an Italian dual citizenship specialist can cost some money, but it can save you a lot in the long haul. Since you do everything perfectly the first time, there are hardly any chances of rejection. So you will not have to spend again on the application process and save time, effort, and money.
- Gives you peace of mind
Having an expert to handle your application gives you peace of mind as they look after the smallest detail. Your workload decreases as you need not worry about gathering documents and checking the forms. There isn’t a need to travel to Italy as they can act as your local representative there.
Working with a citizenship expert is an obvious advantage, but the benefits boil down to finding someone you can depend on. Look for a partner with relevant skills and rich experience because they can handle even the most complex cases with ease. With a partner who can guide you through the journey, achieving your goal becomes a lot easier.
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