VISA FEE: FREE
The adoption visa allows a foreign minor, who is the beneficiary of an adoption order or of a pre‑adoptive foster care measure issued by the competent foreign authority in accordance with local legislation, to enter Italy for the purpose of a long‑term stay, either fixed‑term or open‑ended, with the adoptive parents or foster carers.
For the issuance of the visa, a specific nominal authorization for entry and permanent stay in Italy, issued by the Commission for International Adoptions (CAI), is also required, pursuant to Articles 32 and 39(h) of Law 184/1983.
Outside these cases — and even when an adoption order issued by a foreign court has already been recognized in Italy — the issuance of the adoption visa is subject to the granting of a Nulla Osta by the Commission for International Adoptions (CAI).
At the time of submitting the adoption visa application, both adoptive parents must be present; otherwise, a specific power of attorney signed by the temporarily absent parent must be provided.
Adoption visa applications, as well as all acts relating to international adoption procedures, are processed free of charge, pursuant to Article 82 of Law 183/1984.
PLEASE NOTE: Special provisions apply to international adoptions, in particular those set out in Title III of Law 184/1983 (Articles 29–43). Article 36(4) provides that an adoption pronounced by the competent authority of a foreign country upon request of Italian citizens who, at the time of the ruling, can prove continuous residence in that country for at least two years, is recognized in Italy for all legal purposes by the Juvenile Court, provided it complies with the principles of the Convention. In any case, for the issuance of the adoption visa, in addition to the recognition of the foreign ruling, the CAI Nulla Osta is always required.
What documentation is required?
To obtain the visa, the applicant must submit, in addition to the duly completed and signed application form, a valid travel document and passport photos:
- Nominal authorization for entry and permanent stay in Italy issued by the CAI, in the cases provided for under Articles 32 and 39(h) of Law 184/1983, or
- CAI Nulla Osta, in all other cases.