How to arrange family reunification with a relative in Italy?

Art. 29 of the Testo unico immigrazione (Legislative Decree 286/1998) gives a closed list: a spouse aged 18 or over, minor children, dependent adult children with total disability, and dependent parents who have no other children in the home country (or parents over 65 whose other children cannot support them for serious documented health reasons). Brothers and sisters are not on the list, so they cannot be brought over by family reunification. There is a separate rule for relatives of Italian citizens: a foreigner living with a brother or sister who is an Italian citizen cannot be expelled (art. 19(2)(c) TU).

To submit documents, you need to provide proof of kinship, income, and housing. Close relatives can submit documents for children under 18, but the child's personal presence is required if they are over 12.

Processing times can vary. For example, some report a duration of up to 6 months, but the actual time may be shorter depending on the situation.