Because of its geographical location, Italy is easy to access by refugees. Also, Italy is one of the several European Union countries to have a special procedure for refugees entering the state and obtaining the status of stateless persons based on a visa.
The procedure of obtaining a visa for stateless person in Italy is not complex and is completed quite fast compared to other European countries. Those who want to obtain a stateless person visa must submit specific documents and the list of these documents can be provided by our immigration lawyers in Italy. We can help foreign citizens to apply for Italian visas for stateless persons.
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Asylum seekers in Italy
Italy has a specific procedure for determining whether a foreign citizen qualifies as an asylum seeker or stateless person, based on the provisions of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under the provisions of the convention which applies best to a specific case, the Italian immigration authorities will issue the visa for stateless persons to those applying for it.
Under the national legislation, a foreign citizen entering Italy is considered a refugee, and thus a candidate for a stateless person visa, if under specific conditions the individual is outside their home country and cannot return for various reasons, such as persecution and fear which will endanger his/her life.
Our immigration lawyers in Italy can review your case if you want to apply for asylum. Based on the evidence, we can then help you obtain the visa for stateless persons in Italy.
The first steps for obtaining a stateless person visa in Italy
The procedure of applying for a visa for stateless person is not complicated, however, there are several steps which need to be undertaken by the person asking for this type of Italian visa. These steps are:
- the stateless person must appear in front of the border control authorities before entering Italy;
- the individual must also present their case to the authorities, however, they must also produce relevant evidence to sustain their case;
- in the case of minors, the System for the Protection of Asylum Seekers and Refugees and the tribunal for minors will be informed by the Italian border control;
- based on the evidence submitted by the refugee, a temporary residence permit is issued until the individual is recognized as a stateless person;
- the procedure is usually concluded in 2 working days and the persons can also be granted an allowance and the procedure is completed.
If you need legal support during the procedure for obtaining a stateless person visa, our lawyers are at your disposal with tailored advice.
The hearing for obtaining the Italian visa for stateless person
After the issuance of the temporary residence permit, the authorities will forward all the documents filed by the asylum seeker to the Territorial Commission who will schedule a hearing for determining the status of the person applying for the stateless person visa.
The hearing will take place in no more than 30 days. However, based on sufficient grounds, the Commission can establish that there is no need for a hearing and ask for the issuance of the visa directly.
The procedure of obtaining a stateless person visa in Italy is quite simple, provided that there are sufficient reasons and documents to present to the Italian authorities. Our immigration lawyers in Italy can offer more information on the expedited procedure of obtaining such a visa.
We can also guide those who want to apply for Italy citizenship by investment.
Documents to be filed for obtaining a visa for stateless persons in Italy
The following documents can be filed with the Italian authorities when applying for a visa for stateless persons in Italy:
- the original passport of the applicant which must be valid at the time of the application;
- any other travel document which proves of the nationality of the individual applying for the visa;
- any document issued by the United Nations which can prove the refugee status, as requested by the law;
- any other official document issued by foreign authorities and which can help prove the refugee status;
- the identity card of persons who have lived in countries of the European Union prior to applying for the refugee status.
In the case of minors of refugees, the birth certificates are necessary. Following the entry in Italy, an exclusive custody permit can be solicited by the parent.
The immigration statistics for Italy say that:
- there are more than 5 million foreign citizens living in Italy at the moment;
- they represent a little 8% reported to the country’s population of 60,5 million inhabitants;
- the largest number of EU migrants comes from Romania and Albania, accounting for more than 30% of the immigrants’ number;
- the largest number of non-EU immigrants comes from Morocco and China which combined represent 13.5% of the total number of immigrants.
If you need help in applying for a visa for stateless persons, our Italian lawyers can help you with the application, so do not hesitate to contact us.
Please mind that as a person who is a refugee or asylum seeker in Italy, one is entitled to apply for citizenship as well, just like in the case of any other foreign national.
The pathway to citizenship in Italy a stateless person can choose can be one of the few regulated under the Italian law – by descent, birth, marriage with an Italian national or by naturalization, which can apply to most of the foreigners.
If you want to move to Italy, do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyer. Persons who arrive here as stateless persons or as any other legal statutes applicable for humanitarian reasons can obtain legal representation since the moment they arrive the Italian border.
Many persons will need the assistance of an immigration lawyer and an interpreter when dealing with border security.
Our lawyers, specialized in all types of branches of immigration, can provide legal representation to persons interested in other matters. For instance, we can offer full legal representation in the process of obtaining a Golden Visa in Italy.
This visa type is available for investors who can invest a large capital in the Italian economy and who could, thus, benefit from permanent residency.