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Adozione — Adoption Visa (Type D)
ItalyItaly•Europe
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Adozione — Adoption Visa (Type D)

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
Italy flag

Living in Italy

Cost of Living
12% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€21,000
Quality of Life
156/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The Adoption Visa (Visto per Adozione) is a long-stay National Visa (Type D) issued to foreign minors who have been adopted or are in pre-adoptive placement with Italian citizens or legally resident foreigners in Italy.

The Adoption Visa (Type D) enables foreign minors under 18 to join adoptive or pre-adoptive families in Italy. It is a humanitarian visa governed by the Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI), requiring decree of suitability from an Italian Juvenile Court and CAI authorization. Processing takes 2–3 months; the visa carries no consular fee.

Upon arrival, the adopted minor is integrated into the Italian legal system with a clear pathway to citizenship or permanent residency. The visa is permanent and non-renewable, as it serves as the entry vehicle for the adoption's legal completion in Italy. Dependents are not applicable since the applicant is the minor being adopted.

This visa is ideal for foreign children in pre-adoptive or adoptive placement with Italian citizens or legally resident families seeking legal integration and citizenship pathways in Italy.

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must be a minor (under 18).

Must have an adoption order or pre-adoptive placement measure.

Adoptive parents must have a decree of suitability from an Italian Juvenile Court.

Must have a nominal authorization (Nulla Osta) from the CAI.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

National Visa Application Form (Type D)

Minor's valid passport

Passport-size photo

Nominal authorization (Nulla Osta) from CAI

Decree of suitability from Italian Juvenile Court

Legalized foreign adoption order

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Visa fee exempt for all applicants
  • Permanent stay status in Italy upon approval
  • Often leads to citizenship or permanent residency upon completion
  • Enables adopted minors to reunify with adoptive families
  • Integration into Italian legal system with full protections

Worth Knowing

  • Strictly regulated by Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI)
  • Requires international legal coordination between country of origin and Italy
  • Processing takes 2-3 months with extensive documentation requirements
  • Process involves multiple government bodies and court proceedings
  • Requires Commission for Intercountry Adoptions (CAI) authorization
  • Missing decree of suitability from Italian court disqualifies application

Application Process

1

Obtain decree of suitability

2

Match with child via agency

3

Obtain foreign adoption order

4

Obtain CAI Nulla Osta

5

Submit visa application

6

Enter Italy and register adoption

Application Forms

National Visa Application FormFill online

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