New Foreign Residents Must Demonstrate Integration into Italian Society
2012-03-16
by Fragomen
Foreign nationals applying for an initial residence permit of one year or longer are now required to sign an integration agreement (Accordo di Integrazione), committing them to learn the Italian language and become familiar with Italian law and civic life as a condition of their stay. The policy took effect March 10 and applies to new residents only. Current foreign residents and children under the age of 17 are exempt.
The agreement obliges foreign nationals to demonstrate integration into Italian society by meeting a set of points-base criteria over the course of their residence permit. Within the first six months of their stay, foreign residents are required to attend a free five- to ten-hour cultural education course. Within one to two years, depending on the duration of their residence permit, they must earn additional points. Points are awarded for Italian language skills; knowledge of Italian law, administration and civic life; compliance with tax and immigration obligations; and school enrollment for dependent children. Foreign nationals may lose points for criminal, tax or public security violations. Those who lose all their points face deportation.
Those who cannot meet their points requirements in the prescribed timeframe can request a one-year extension to comply. No further extensions are available unless there are compelling circumstances, such as serious illness or very significant work or study obligations. The consequences of failing to earn the required points after an extension are not yet known.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to create an official register listing all foreign nationals who have signed an integration agreement and the number of points they have accrued.
Fragomen worked closely with Studio Mazzeschi (Italy) to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global or send an email to emea@fragomen.com.
http://www.fragomen.com/newsresources/xprNewsDetailFrag.aspx?xpST=GlobalAlerts&news=1514
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