ACCORDO DI INTEGRAZIONE (INTEGRATION AGREEMENT)

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It is an agreement between the Italian State and the non-EU citizen over 16 years of age entering Italy for the first time and asking for a residence permit with a minimum duration of one year.

It must be signed at the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione in the following cases:

  • if entering Italy with a visa for job reasons;
  • if entering Italy for family joining.

If entering for other reasons, the Agreement must be signed at the Immigration Office of the Questura where establishing residence.

If between 16 and 18 years of age, the Agreement must be signed by the parents or legal tutor.

The Agreement is NOT to be signed

  • if under 16 years of age;
  • if not self-sufficient and with an invalidity certificate;
  • if having serious and proved difficulties in learning and studying the language;
  • if victim of trafficking, violence or serious exploitation;
  • if applying for political asylum or if the status of refugee has been recognised or that of subsidiary protection.

It is articulated on the basis of credits, with the commitment to comply with specific integration aims which must be achieved in the period of validity of the residence permit. The signing of the Accordo di Integrazione represents a necessary condition for the issuing of the residence permit.

The total loss of credits establishes the revocation of the residence permit and the expulsion of the foreign citizen from the State’s territory.

After two years upon signing, the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione shall examine the documentation submitted (certificates proving attendance to courses, degrees, etc.). The investigation ends by giving points:

  • from thirty points up, the agreement is considered complied with; that is, an adequate level of integration has been reached;
  • from one to twenty-nine points, the foreign citizen is resisted, with the commitment to reach thirty points within one year;
  • if the points range from zero to minus zero, the right to reside in Italy is lost and expulsion is carried out.