Move to Italy from Canada - Legal Representation

Individualscan move to Italy from Canada following therules on immigrationwhich have been imposed by the authorities of the two states. Our immigration lawyers in Italy can offer the necessary legal support to those who want to immigrate here, therefore do not hesitate to book our services.

Quick Facts
Visas for short-term stays for Canadians in Italy	Not applicable
Visas for immigration from Canada to Italy	For long-term stays (over 90 days), an individual can immigrate to Italy from Canada under visas such as: long-stay visa, Italian self-employment visa, scientific research visa, student visa, elective residence visa, family reunion visa, golden visa.
Legal obligations upon arrival in Italy	Canadians who have been granted with an Italian visa are required to contact local police stations in maximum 8 days since their arrival, for the issuance of the residency permit.
Electronic visas available	Not at the moment, but once ETIAS starts operating (no firm date yet; expected in 2027), Canadians will need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is an electronic document that must be obtained prior to the arrival (it is not a visa).
Main reasons to immigrate from Canada to Italy	Canadians can relocate to Italy for: job opportunities, investment, family reunification, study, research etc.
Institution in charge with the issuance of the visa	Ministry of Foreign Affairs
What happens in the case the Italian authorities refuse the visa application?	The foreigner is entitled to appeal the decision in maximum 60 days since the Italian authorities issued their formal answer.
Fee charged for the issuance of long-term visas	EUR 50 (study) to EUR 116 (most other long-stay visas), paid in Canadian dollars at the consulate's current exchange rate
Special rules for citizens of Canada	Canadian citizens can immigrate to Italy from Canada under the Work and Travel program (known as Italy-Canada Youth Exchange Program). It is addressed to Canadian nationals of 18 to 35 years old.
The procedure for permanent residency in Italy	A foreigner, Canadians included, can become an Italian permanent resident after living here for a period of at least 5 years. Italian language requirements are imposed as well.
Documents required for permanent residency application	Documents attesting the years of residency (visas and residence permits), papers showing the financial situation of the applicant, a clean police record, proof of accommodation in Italy, Italian language proficiency (A2 level minimum)
Reasons for which permanent residency can be granted in Italy	Permanent residency can be obtained based on having an employment contract in Italy, a business, an investment project, etc. It can also be granted to those who arrived here to reunite with their family members.
Right to permanent residency for refugees/asylum seekers (yes/no)	Yes
Immigration pathway for highly skilled persons	One can immigrate to Italy from Canada for skilled employment under the Blue Card.
Legal pathways to citizenship	By descent, by marriage or through naturalization

Is there a legal distinction between a Canadian national and a Canadian permanent resident?

Yes. Please mind that there is a legal distinction between persons who are Canadian citizens and those who are Canadian permanent residents and this distinction can create differences in the visa requirements applied to such persons, as follows:

a Canadian citizen can immigrate to Italy without the need to apply for a visa (in certain cases);
a Canadian permanent resident, who will arrive in Italy for the same purpose and the same duration of stay as the Canadian citizen, may need to obtain a visa;
the difference appears due to theimmigration policies that are set up betweenItalyand other countries.

What are the main legal pathways for immigration to Italy?

Canadians can immigrate to Italyfor any of the purposes stipulated by the immigration law. In the list below, our immigration lawyers in Italy present the main options:

employment;
business and investment;
family reunification;
study;
research;
humanitarian reasons;
asylum, etc.

When can a Canadian national arrive to Italy visa-free?

For short-term stays, Canadian passport holders going to Italy can stay here without a visa as long as the duration of the visit is maximum 90 days in a period of 180 days.

What are visa types I can apply for as a Canadian?

Canadianscan apply for the long-stay visa (also known as the National visa), which is an immigration documentissued for stays longer than 90 days. The document can be requested for a variety of reasons (employment, study, investment, etc.). Italy also has 3 other types of visas issued for short-term stays, but they do not apply to Canadian passport holders, given that they are entitled to a visa exemption.

What documents must I prepare for my visa application?

When applying for a visa in Italy, Canadianshave to prepare specific documents, which can vary based on the purpose of the arrival. In general, the documentation mentioned below is required:

a valid passport;
proof of having sufficient funds;
documentation regarding the purpose of the stay (this can be an employment contract, business registration documents, student enrollment, etc.);
recent photo (passport size);
proof ofaccommodation in Italy (rental/ purchase contract);
a travel health insurance that is recognized in Italy.

Do I need a visa for work purposes?

Yes, foreigners, Canadians included, can arrive here for employment, but only after obtaining the appropriate visas. The obligation to have a work visa in order to have the right to access the Italian employment market is imposed to most countries, exemptions being granted only to EU/ EEA nationals.

Can Canadians move to Italy for the Work Holiday Program?

Yes, Canadians are entitled to relocate to Italy for the purpose of entering the Work Holiday Program, an immigration program that aims at youth exchange amongst partner nations. Through it, foreigners can arrive here and visit Italywhile working for a limited period of time. Our immigration lawyers in Italy have prepared a short description of the Work Holiday Program:

the possibility of immigrating to Italy from Canada under this program appeared in 2006, when the two states signed a memorandum for a youth exchange program;
through this, a total of 2,000 Canadianscan relocate to Italy for a limited period of time;
the program is addressed solely to young persons who are 18 to 35 years old;
Canadianshave to apply for a visa that will grant the right to live in Italy for a period of 12 months;
given that the duration of stay is longer than 90 days, if the applicant receives the visa, after the arrival, in a period of maximum 8 days, the person must apply for a residency permit.

Below, you can discover the basicconditions for Canadians relocating to Italy:

What are the visa formalities for family reunification?

Canadians can immigrate to Italy for the purpose of reuniting with a close family member who lives in this country. The visa formalities are similar with the steps presented earlier, the main difference being the documentation that the Italian immigration officialswill ask from the applicants.

How long should I wait to obtain my visa?

The processing formalities are highly influenced by the type of visa you require. For instance, the long-term visa can be processed in minimum 30 days and up to 90 days, depending on the legal ground for which it is requested (work, family reunification, business, etc.).

When can I become a permanent resident of Italy?

If you are a Canadian who wants to move to Italy on a permanent basis, you will first need to obtain a permanent residence permit, which can be issued only after you have been living here for a period of 5 years.

When can I apply for citizenship?

Citizenship in Italy can be obtained through naturalization in most cases, which is a long process that requires the foreigner to live here for a period of minimum 10 years.

We invite you to address our immigration lawyers in Italy for further information on other requirements that may be of interest for Canadiansrelocating to this country. You can always address us for full legal support in any immigration matter.