Italian Citizenship Advice for an Australian

[Taleahm]

Hi everyone,

I would appreciate some advice on whether I qualify for Italian citizenship or what steps I can take to get citizenship.

My Grandfather emigrated to Australia in the 1950s
and was naturalized in 1965, while my Grandmother was pregnant with my mother.(my grandmother is not Italian and they were not married) My mother was born 1-1-1966.

Her old siblings are able to get Italian citizenship but the Italian consulate advised my mother is not.

I have read on here about the 1948 rule and have read about people who have an Italian descendant let's say born in early 1900s who have emigrated to another country married and have got naturalized. Then they have had children after being naturalized and their children have gone to court and have become Italian citizens.

I am very saddened that I don't seem to qualify for citzenship as I have a strong connection to Italian culture and family in Italy (My grandthers brothers and sisters, extended family and my Aunt)

Does anyone have any advice or feedback on what I can do to obtain Italian citizenship?

[mler]

You can only obtain Italian citizenship through a parent who is an Italian citizen. When your mother was born, her father had already lost his citizenship, so your mother could not obtain it through him. Your mom's older siblings were born when he was still Italian, so they did obtain citizenship.

Unfortunately, your grandparents were not married. Had they been married, your grandmother would have obtained Italian citizenship automatically, and you could have used her line. The 1948 lawsuits do not apply in cases such as yours. Those lawsuits focus on people whose female Italian citizen ancestors were unable to pass on their Italian citizenship because their child was born before 1948.

You do have a path to citizenship through naturalization. Since your grandfather was an Italian citizen, you would qualify for an expedited path of only three years. This, however, does require residence in Italy during that period.

[Taleahm]

Thanks for the advice.

Would I have to get a work visa to reside in Italy for 3 yrs before I can apply?

Or is there a special type of visa for this?

[mler]

There is no special visa. You would need to qualify for one of the permits that allow you to reside in Italy for more than the three months you are allowed to be in Italy as a tourist. They are not all easy to optain, and some may not allow you to work during your stay.

Once you have a visa that permits you to reside in Italy and you actually set up an official residence, your three-year period begins. You may want to speak with the consulate to discuss the various options.