Dual citizenship help

[apquaranta]

Hello, both my father and mother were born in Italy. 1945 and 1948, respectively. Both renounced their Italian citizenship when they became American citizens. My paternal GF passed before I was born. It seems all the steps I need to take end up at a wall. How can I achieve dual citizenship?

[mler]

Assuming that both your parents naturalized before you were born, you would be able to naturalize by residing in Italy for three years. This is a shortened period for those who can trace back citizenship to a parent or grandparent.

[mpinchera]

mier, do you have a link where I can learn more about this shortened period of living in Italy to gain citizenship? My paternal grandparents were both born in Italy, but my grandfather became naturalized in the U.S. shortly before my father was born. I'd love to learn more about the shortened pathway you mention.

[jennabet]

In order to become naturalized as an Italian citizen in Italy, the requirements are the same for any immigrant except that for you instead of having to live in Italy for ten years, you would have to live there for three years. But you would also need to apply for a visa at your Italian consulate in order to get permission to stay for three years. You should start with your Italian consulate if your goal is to live in Italy and eventually become a naturalized citizen. In many cases the visa that will be available to you will not allow you to work during those three years so you would also have to have the financial resources that the consulate requires.

[mler]

Check this site. You fall under Number 3.

http://www.giambronelaw.com/site/librar ... an-citizen

As jennebet has noted, most visas do not permit you to work in Italy. You should check with your consulate to determine what may be available to you.

This section (from the NY Consulate website lists the types of visas available.

http://www.consnewyork.esteri.it/consol ... enter.html