What is a Re-Entry Visa?
The Re-Entry Visa (Visto di reingresso) is a visa you can request if your permesso has expired, been stolen, or been lost while you are abroad.
If my permesso has expired, can I ask for a Re-Entry Visa in every case?
Of course not. As the art. 8 del D.P.R. n. 394/1999 states If your permesso has expired, there are some requirements you need to meet:
- If your permesso expired no more than 60 days ago and you requested the renewal on time. This period can be extended up to 6 months if you had serious health problems, or if your first-degree relatives or your spouse did. In this case, the embassy can issue the Re-Entry Visa without waiting for the nulla osta (the green light) from the questura.
- If your permesso expired more than 60 days ago, with no time limit, provided you requested the renewal and you went back to your home country because of military obligations. In this case, the embassy can issue the Re-Entry Visa only if the questura issues the nulla osta.
- If your permesso expired no more than 60 days ago and you didn’t request the renewal, you can still ask for the Re-Entry Visa, but in this case the nulla osta from the questura will be necessary.
What are my options if I lose my permesso or it gets stolen?
In this case you also have to ask for a Re-Entry Visa. You will need to show the embassy proof of the loss or theft, meaning a report that may have to be translated and legalized. Here too, you will have to wait for the nulla osta from the questura.
What if my permesso has expired but I lost my ricevuta or it got stolen?
In this case you have to do the same as you would if your permesso had been stolen or lost.
What happens after the visa is issued?
At this point you have to go back to Italy and, with the visa, fill out a new kit asking for a duplicate of your permesso. You will have to give your fingerprints again before receiving your new permesso.
