Waiting, Waiting...

Sant'Agnese in Agone - 17th century Church

Michael and I applied for a long term Visa ( a one year residency Visa) for Italy.  You must apply for residency in your own country via the Italian Consulate that covers your region of the US.  For us that is Chicago.  When you apply you have to provide along with the application: a paid contract or lease for where you will live, proof of financial means, proof of health insurance, a paid ticket for your flight to Italy and your passports.  The Consulate requires your actual passport because they stamp the passport with an entry Visa.  In addition, to all of that there is a non-refundable application fee.  Needless to say it all adds up to a significant sum of money for something that is uncertain.  

Altare dell Patria (Altar of the Fatherland)

 It is not an easy process.  Per Italian law the Consulate has 90 days to process your application.  What they do not tell you is that if there are any questions then that 90 time limit is out the window.  So... you must provide proof that you purchased your flight to Italy but then you may not be able to catch your flight.   And you must rent a place to live (pre-paid for the entire year) but you may have paid rent for a place that you cannot move into because you are still in the states waiting on the Consulate to make a decision. You could lose a month or more of "rent money". 

 

House of the Vestal Virgins

Or you could lose all your rent money and flight money and application money and health insurance money because the decision could be NO.  Our 90 days is up on March 6th... however we received a certified letter and had to provide more documentation in answer to questions.  So... that timeline is now off.  UGH!!  

 

Old Rome

So we wait ... Noi aspettiamo.  And wait...

Old Rome

We have already put back our flight once, we now fly out on March 15th.  We plan to be on that flight whether the decision is Si or No.  Of course, we still have not worked out how to get our passports back but I will figure that out this week.  Our fingers and toes are crossed.  Send all your good thoughts our way!!

We need all the help we can get!  So I will end this rant with a photo of poor Caesar being pooped on by a pigeon.  It rather diminishes Caesar in a way that I am sure was not thought of when erecting the statue.  There are several statutes of Caesar in that area and unfortunately the pigeons find them all to be the perfect perch 😂.