Family reunification allows a foreign national lawfully residing in Italy to bring certain family members to enter and stay with them. The procedure begins with an application for clearance (nulla osta) to the Single Immigration Desk and continues with the entry visa issued by the diplomatic mission in the country of origin.
The firm assists those who need to file the application, those who have received a refusal, and those who are stuck at one of the stages of the procedure.
Who can be reunited
The law sets out the categories of family members for whom reunification is allowed — in general terms the spouse, minor children, dependent adult children who cannot provide for themselves for health reasons, and dependent parents under the conditions laid down. Each category has specific requirements that must be checked on the individual case.
The two requirements on which the application turns
- Housing, which must meet the standards set by the rules: the relevant certificate is required, issued by the municipality or by the competent body.
- Income, which must reach the required threshold, calculated taking into account the number of family members to be reunited and, in the cases allowed, the income of those living in the same household.
The amounts and parameters are updated periodically: the check must be made against the values in force at the time of the application, not those of previous years.
Documents coming from abroad
The records proving the family relationship — birth, marriage, family status — come from the country of origin and must be translated and legalised according to the rules applicable to that country, with the involvement of the consular authority where required.
This is the point at which the procedure most often stalls: incomplete documents, non-compliant translations or missing legalisations cost months. It is worth checking them before starting the application.
If the clearance or the visa is refused
A refusal of the clearance (nulla osta) may be brought before the courts within the time limit provided, running from service. The same applies to a visa refusal issued by the diplomatic mission. Keeping the decision and the date on which it was handed over is the first thing to do.
What to prepare
- passport and residence permit of the person filing the application;
- the housing certificate, if already obtained;
- income documentation (tax return, employment contract, payslips);
- the records proving the family relationship, including in the original language;
- the receipt of the application already filed, if one is pending;
- any refusal decision, with the date of service.
How the consultation works
The check of the requirements and the review of the documents can also be done remotely, and you may write to the firm in your own language. How the appointment request works is described in the dedicated guide.
Related areas
Residence permit · International protection · Italian citizenship · How remote consultation works
This page is for information purposes and describes the areas the firm works in. It does not replace the examination of the individual case, which requires an assessment of the documents and of the specific circumstances. For advice, you may request an appointment.