Italian Dual Citizenship- How To Immigrate With Your Family

The concept of dual citizenship is alluring for Americans, and thousands look for a second passport every year. Italy is one of the most popular second passport destinations because it opens you up to immense benefits. You get access to one of the best healthcare and education systems in the world. Further, you can travel visa-free in the EU and relish a slice of the famous European culture. Even better, you pass on your citizenship to the next generations.

When everything about Italy as a future home for your family sounds exciting, you will want to know your immigration options. Fortunately, Italy offers different routes for aspiring immigrants. While a great informational page is provided by these Italian Citizenship Lawyers, knowing the facts briefly can give you a good start. We have a short guide on the various ways to apply for Italian dual citizenship. Here are the three popular routes you can explore.

Citizenship by descent

Citizenship by descent or Jure Sanguinis lets you claim the right by your bloodline. It is perhaps the fastest and easiest route to get in, making it ideal for people tracing their roots back in Italy. You can apply through your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents. But before going ahead, you must understand your eligibility based on your ancestral lineage. The male bloodline can transfer citizenship to any number of generations from 17 March 1861. However, the female bloodline can transfer it only to children born after 1948. However, you can still claim through a female ancestor via a judicial process known as the 1948 Rule.

The Jure Sanguinis process requires you to obtain certified copies of documents that validate your ancestral connections in Italy. You need to locate them from the official records in the ancestor's hometown. Once you have the documents, you have to submit them along with an application to your local Italian consulate. The timelines of the process can extend from three months to three years. It depends on the waiting time at the consulate and the complexity of your case. Once you have your citizenship by descent, you can move to Italy with your family. The best thing is that the right automatically passes on to your next generations.

Citizenship by marriage

Another route that leads you to Italian citizenship is by marrying a citizen of the country. It automatically gives you the right to apply for citizenship by marriage. But you have to follow a timeline for eligibility. The qualifying periods vary depending on your current residence. Applicants residing in Italy can apply two years after marriage, while those living elsewhere have to wait for three years before applying. However, you can do it in half the time if you have biological or adopted children with your partner.

Apart from the time period, you also have to validate a B1 (intermediate) level of proficiency in Italian with a pass certificate from an accredited institution. A clean criminal record is also essential as an eligibility criterion.  Further, your marriage must be viable throughout the application process. You need documentary evidence validating your marriage, criminal checks, and language tests to apply at your local consulate. Once the authorities review the documents, they grant you permission to enter Italy as a citizen.

Citizenship by naturalization

The longest route to obtain dual citizenship in Italy is by naturalization. But it is the only option you have if there are no ancestral roots or conjugal connection with the country. A non-EU citizen has to live in the country for at least ten years to be eligible for this route. Conversely, a citizen of an EU country can apply after four years of legal residency here. Someone with native-born parents or grandparents who renounced their citizenship in the past can apply after three years of residency.

If you plan to take this route to acquire Italian citizenship, the best bet is to enter the country via investment. The Golden Visa provides you with a legal residency by investing a minimum amount with an Italian business, startup, charitable institution, or government bonds. You get a two-year residency after the investment and can extend it until you reach the naturalization threshold. But remember that you will have to retain investment in the country as long as you want to reside here legally.

How can professional assistance make the journey easier?

While you can pick either of these routes to access Italian citizenship, things are more complicated than they sound. From determining your eligibility to gathering the paperwork and making it through the process, everything requires a good understanding of the law. Moreover, small details like your date of birth can make a difference to your eligibility. For example, the 1948 Rule hinges on the date your female ancestor gave birth as they cannot pass on the citizenship before the year.

It is best to get professional assistance to guide you through the entire steps of the journey. These experts ensure eligibility, completion of documents, the accuracy of details therein, and faster processing. Further, they can suggest the best route for you in case you qualify through two different routes. You can even rely on local experts to help you with the procurement of documents. They can be specifically helpful in obtaining dated documents from your ancestor's city. The best part is that you feel more confident about getting your second passport when you have an expert guiding you through the process.

Dual citizenship of Italy can be a golden ticket to a better life for your family. If you can secure this opportunity, you must do it sooner rather than later. Everything boils down to understanding your options and picking the one that works for you. You must have an expert showing you the way because they know all about the different routes and can suggest the one that works for you. They ensure you get your second passport without delays and hassles. While you have to pay for their services, the peace of mind they give is priceless.