You completed the pathway assessment during onboarding and selected your initial route. Phase 2 is where you go deeper — confirming viability, understanding the specific requirements of your chosen pathway, and beginning to build your case file.

You can change your selected pathway at any time. If your situation evolves — or if Phase 2 research reveals that a different route is more viable — switch routes using the badge in the sidebar. Your Phase 2 work carries over regardless.

If your situation evolves — or if Phase 2 research reveals that a different route is more viable — switch routes below. Your Phase 1 and Phase 2 general tasks carry over.

• Review your complete pathway briefing above and confirm this is the right route for your situation — if anything gives you pause, do more research before continuingDecision
• Identify your U.S. state of residence and locate the Italian consulate with jurisdiction over your application — jurisdiction is determined by your state, not your preferenceResearch
• Research your specific consulate's current appointment availability — ERV and other popular pathways at some consulates carry 6–18 month waitlists that will directly affect your departure windowResearch
• Contact your jurisdictional consulate to request their current document checklist for your specific pathway — requirements vary by consulate and change without noticeAction
• Identify and shortlist a licensed Italian immigration attorney who specializes in your specific pathway — GEO's preparation work is designed to minimize attorney time and cost (fees can run $1,500–$5,000+), but legal review is not optional. Jure Sanguinis applicants should schedule their consultation now to assess lineage eligibility before investing in records procurement. All other pathways should complete their case preparation first and consult in Phase 3.Legal
• Pull and review your financial source documents — bank statements, pension award letters, Social Security benefit statements, or proof of funds — and verify they are current, complete, and match your pathway's requirementsFinancial
• Research recent applicant experiences at your specific consulate — not just the pathway generally — through expat communities (Facebook groups, Reddit r/ItalyVisa, Internations) to understand current processing realityCommunity
• Identify your target region or city in Italy — where you plan to live affects housing costs, quality of life, and downstream logistics; narrow it to at least a region before Phase 3Decision
• Complete your case strategy document in the Phase 2 Workbook — map your eligibility, your evidence, and your gapsWorkbook

Most people plan their arrival in Italy. Very few plan their departure from America. Phase 4 is entirely dedicated to the U.S. side of your move — the obligations that need to be properly closed, transferred, or managed before you leave.

• Resolve your U.S. housing situation: end your lease, sell your home, or establish a property management arrangementHousing
• Consult with a tax professional experienced in expat taxation — understand U.S. filing obligations, FBAR requirements, and FEIE eligibility as a foreign residentTax & Legal
• Make your Medicare decision — Medicare provides zero coverage outside the U.S.; understand your suspension and re-enrollment options and secure a complete private replacement plan before departureHealthcare
• Consolidate U.S. financial accounts — ensure all accounts can be managed remotely and set up international wire transfer capabilitiesFinancial
• Establish a U.S. mail forwarding service and update your address with IRS, Social Security, brokerage, bank, and MedicareAdministrative
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions, memberships, and recurring obligations — create a complete inventory first, then work through it systematicallyAdministrative
• Update or create essential legal documents: will, healthcare proxy, power of attorney — ensure a trusted U.S.-based person can act on your behalfLegal

You've done the hard work. Phase 5 is about execution — a clean departure and a stable first week. The goal of week one is not to explore. It is to establish the functional foundation your life will require.

• Confirm all arrival logistics: flights, accommodation for first 2 weeks minimum, airport transfer, and local SIM card or international plan active before departureLogistics
• Obtain your Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID) — get this before departure at the Italian consulate if possible; it unlocks every subsequent administrative stepAdministrative
• Within 8 days of arrival, declare your presence to local authorities and file your dichiarazione di presenza at your questura or via your accommodationLegal
• Apply for your permesso di soggiorno — submit at the local post office (Ufficio Postale) within 8 days of arrival; this window is legally criticalLegal
• Confirm money access — ensure at least two ways to access funds (debit card, credit card, small euro cash reserve) and test international transfers workFinancial
• Establish basic daily logistics: nearest grocery store, pharmacy, local transport, and the nearest English-speaking medical provider for emergenciesLogistics

Phase 6 is where temporary visitor becomes Italian resident. The permesso di soggiorno collection, residency registration, and Italian banking setup are the foundation everything else sits on.

• Collect your permesso di soggiorno at your questura appointment — bring originals and certified copies of all documents submittedResidency
• Register your residency at the local anagrafe (municipal registry) — this is separate from the permesso and required for most Italian servicesResidency
• Open an Italian bank account — you will need your Codice Fiscale, permesso ricevuta, and proof of address; research Fineco, Intesa Sanpaolo, or online options like N26Banking
• Establish your healthcare pathway — register with the SSN if eligible for your visa type, or confirm your private insurance covers long-term Italian residencyHealthcare
• Secure your long-term housing — transition from temporary accommodation to a lease or property that will serve as your registered addressHousing
• Set up utilities in your name: electricity, gas, internet — your landlord or a local patronato office can assist with the paperworkUtilities
• Establish local mobility — trains, local buses, or consider a car or scooter depending on your location and lifestyleLogistics

You're here. The paperwork is done, the apartment is yours, and Italy is no longer a destination — it's your address. Phase 7 is about becoming part of where you live, not just a foreigner who happens to live there.

There is no bureaucratic deadline in Phase 7. You'll know you've arrived when your days have a rhythm, you have people you know in your neighborhood, and you're thinking less about the move and more about the life.