After consulting a series of consulates I came up with a superset of 20 plus possible documents I needed to get. They were:
- US Passport
- National Visa application, signed in the presence of the Consular Office
- 2 Passport Photographs
- Letter from applicant explain reason and length of stay (some want it notarized)
- Documents of substantial and steady income without work
- Letters from banks/accountants/wealth management company
- Social security and pension statements
- Property ownership,
- Property appraisals,
- Any lease agreements
- Must be able to show a monthly income of USD 3,500
- Proof of a place to live in Italy: a Registered \Rental contract
- Italian Certificato di Agibilità
- Visa Fee in Money order
- Passport return authorization form
- Self stamped addressed envelope for return of passport
- Bank statements for the last 6 months
- Last two years of tax returns
- Proof of local residency (utility bill or driver’s license)
- FBI Background check
- Schengen medical Insurance policy covering emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
- Coversheet showing financial picture snapshot of all documents
- Tabbed binder to neatly present all the documents to the consular office
There was also some who required flight reservations but our consulate specifically advised against making them until we had our visa approved.
So, I know what I need to do in the next couple of weeks.
Hi Jonathan we just got our first step approved by the Consulate de Panama in Long Beach this morning. Next step is sending all this to our attorney in Panama.
One suggestion I would make is getting a reputable attorney as much of what you will be signing will be in Italian and unless your skills in that language is impeccable….
Congratulations on your journey. The steps may seem excessive but totally doable.
Hi Jean, thanks for the update on your journey as well. Luckily the Italian does not kick in until after the Visa. Step one is to get this one year Visa, Step two is to move to Italy and then apply for the Permit to Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) in Italy. And there, I am told, it is very important to bring with you to every visit a native Italian who is very good at a well timed scowl, then the requirements start getting pared down to the essentials.