legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Family Reunification
Statistics
Convention refugees are entitled to family reunification with their spouse, unmarried minor
children, dependent parents and dependent relatives within the third degree if disabled.
Unmarried couples are not entitled to reunification. This right to family reunification is not subject
to any housing or financial requirements. Family members having entered Italy illegally may also
benefit from family reunification.
Reunification is possible as soon as the refugee status has been granted. The application must
be submitted by the person living in Italy to the Questura who takes the first instance decision.
Negative decisions may be appealed on the basis of Section 30(6) of the 1998 Aliens Act to the
civil court.
Persons reunited with a refugee in Italy receive a similar residence permit, valid for two years and
renewable on a two-year basis. The permit allows its holder to work, to study and to be given
access to the national health service.
Persons with other types of residence permit have also the right to family reunification, but they
must meet the requirements applying to immigrants. These include, in particular, appropriate
housing as well as a monthly income at least equivalent to the social pension, i.e., ITL 500,000
[EUR 258].
Number of asylum seekers
Number of applications submitted in Italy
1991 23,317
1992 2,493
1993 1,534
1994 1,689
1995 1,732
1996 675
1997 11,120
1998 12,150
Source: UNHCR
Number of Convention status granted
Number of Convention status granted in Italy
1991 950
1992 336
1993 165
1994 298
1995 285
1996 167
1997 348
1998 1,366
1999* 467
Source: Ministry of Interior
* the 1999 statistics are not final.
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Italy