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Visa resource request

Posted by (United States) on

Frankly, I'm exhausted. Here's my rant: My goal is to spend more than 90 days in Italy (several months), then stalk my family (kidding) in Spain for a year. I have nearly given up on getting a Visa as a retiree in Italy because I can't get any answers from the adjunct person who rarely checks her email, then gives an non-response response. It appears that, as I currently live in Ohio, I would have to go to Detroit to apply for a Visa. I've been to Detroit once, and Washington DC countless times. I have heard many stories of multiple trips to Detroit. I am an inch away from being added to a lease in the geographical area which is served by D.C. It would save me a couple of thousand USD.

I've either lost my mind, or I'm getting more creative.

If I get a Visa for Spain, may I travel to Italy for months before living there?

I have heard of services that present your documents, but I don't know if they are real.

Does anyone out there know of a service? I'd be giving my passport and financial data, so I'd need to know how to research it. Also, every embassy seems to require a 'showup' appointment anyway.

Do the many people who do travel blogs just go home, or what?

I'd love any and all information on this topic. War stories welcome!

Posted by
18052 posts

This may be of absolutely no help other than bumping you to the top of the list, but chack with a visa company callef CBIT. I have used them and they did a good job.....but it was for something different than what you are up to.

Posted by
4160 posts

You might try exploring this website on living abroad, Home Free Adventures: http://homefreeadventures.com/. Then you could email them about how they have managed to do this with visa requirements and Schengen rules.

Posted by
9363 posts

I believe the homefreeadventures people do it by moving around all the time - into and out of Schengen - which isn't what you want to do. I notice now that they are also selling a book about their experiences, so I am sure they detail the process there.

Posted by
7573 posts

As others have said, you maybe need more professional assistance than our advice, but a couple of points:

Generally you would get a visa for the place where you will be living, travel to other Schengen area countries is certainly allowed. The Italians may be reluctant to grant you a visa if your intent is to spend some time there, then most of the time in Spain.

I would consider pursuing a Spanish Visa. That is where you will be residing the most, you mentioned family there, that can help in the visa process as an indicator of a place to stay maybe or potential support or just a reference. Even if you were to fly to Spain first for entry, that would not be a big imposition on you and would likely raise fewer eyebrows than at Italian immigration.

Do be prepared to be able to show savings or a source of income (You mentioned you are a retiree, so SS, Pension, 401K, etc.) and be able to show health coverage (Medicare may not cover you overseas). In addition they will want to know your intended place of residence, may want the results of a security or background check, or any number of odd requirements.

The other thing to determine is Visa length, sound like you are in the 18 month range, they may only offer a 12 month visa for example.

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