Italian Visa – Letter of Intent or Cover Letter

Question: What is an Italian Visa Letter of Intent?

Answer: A Letter of Intent, also called a Cover Letter, is used during the Italian Visa application process to provide the Italian Consulate with supplemental information about the applicant that extends beyond the questions on the application form. Certain Italian Consulates require that a Letter of Intent is filed along with certain types of Italian visa applications. This varies among Consulates.

Even in cases where a Letter of Intent is not required, we find it advisable to prepare one just in case. Our clients have found themselves in situations where, even though the Letter of Intent was not required, the consular officer requested it during the interview. Other times it has been requested as a follow-up to the interview.

Some Italian Consulates indicate on their website that they expect to receive a Letter of Intent. For example, for Elective Residency Italian Visa applications, the Italian Consulate in New York explicitly specifies that a Letter of Intent must be filed along with the Italian Elective Residence Visa application.

The Los Angeles Italian Consulate website requires: A letter from the applicant where he/she specifies: the reason for his/her stay in Italy; length of stay; place of residence in Italy; name of persons accompanying the applicant such as spouse and children (in this case also a certified copy of marriage certificate and/or birth certificate of children should be submitted).

The list below highlights aspects that we recommend including in the Letter of Intent. This list is based on our in-depth legal knowledge combined with our extensive experience creating successful Italian visa applications.

Positive points to include, if they apply to your situation (false statements are not acceptable):

1. Describe yourself detailing your personal and professional achievements;
2. Describe your knowledge and appreciation of Italy, Italian culture, lifestyle, history, etc.;
3. Include if you have Italian heritage, if you speak and/or read Italian;
4. Include if you have family and/or good friends in Italy;
5. Confirm that you have sufficient financial resources, including sufficient passive income;
6. Affirm that you do not need to work to sustain your lifestyle and explicitly express that you do not intend to work;
7. Express your intent to live in Italy permanently.

Negative aspects that would likely lead to an Italian visa denial:

1. You are planning to spend some time in Italy and then perhaps move to another country and/or move around Europe or the world;
2. You have a blog, YouTube channel, remote access employment, freelance internet services, or other employment that would allow you to continue working from anywhere and/or are paid in a bank account outside Italy.

The lists above are just possible points that might or might not be mentioned in a Letter of Intent. We can guide you through the Letter of Intent as well as the entire visa application process.

Related posts:

• Italian Elective Residence Visa
• Italian Visa Application Screening form
• Italian Permit to Stay Quotation request
• Italian Visa Bond (Fideiussione)