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After 8 months of waiting… our visa was denied to Italy. Now after spending the last 9 months of building our house, what is our plan?

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We are Heather, Bradey, Alexa and Chloe. We purchased an abandoned stone barn in the foothills of the Italian Alps and we are working together as a family to renovate and restore this old stone barn into our dream home.

48 Comments

  1. you got it all wrong buddy! you had to grow your beard and cover your girlfriend from head to toe. trust me on this one!

  2. I listened to the guy on podcast about moving to Italy and he had immigration lawyer answering questions he arranges visa for people wanting residency thru owning property I think you need someone Italian doing it on your behalf – I’m from New Zealand and they have now stopped us buying property there but there are ways around it but you are working hard to build the house hope you have all permits to get change of use best wishes

  3. Guess why even 100 000 Italians are leaving Italy for good each year……. Italian administration freewheeling sure of its power (wouldn’t speak of its role as no one adhere to most of what it rules!), discouraging any business initiative and adding layer upon layer of useless laws that no one Italian deemed due to be followed anyway. There is Italy, a fabulous country, the Italians people who are great too for the most, and then its administration and government who are running for themselves stealing everyone else time, money, and digging an ever bigger debt pit until it will eventually engulf it !

  4. Italy is the worst! I lived there for 3 months and made good $ exporting priducts. I own land there too. however they only give out a very limited number of self-employed visas that tend to go within minutes once a year! There's almost no way I could live there full-time which is a shame. I've just abandoned the land. 😢

  5. Not sure it's helpful you claiming you were denied because 'some guy was having a bad day'. I would not be giving the authorities any reason to deny your appeal.

  6. Love this couple, they’re brave, hard-working, innovative, adventurous people! What’s not to like? Why were you denied? Makes no sense except maybe one thing- not coming across to the visa office as culturally correct- try to make personal connections with the locals where you are. Invite locals to dine with you, make local friends because someone will realize how wonderful your family is and what amazing contributions you’ll make to their town. Become a townie

  7. U can go to live in south Caucasus…..Armenia….Georgia…..cheap and peaceful…..for the third price U pay in Europe for anything, U will get there much more…..nature is stunning in south Caucasus…..❤❤good luck

  8. Maybe you should reconsider living there. Who wants to be around people like that? There are plenty of other countries with friendly people, nice scenery, and cheap housing.

  9. my wife is from CanadaI live in the USA but looking at Madeira or Azores Maui got destroyed financially
    I am OK with it but I do fear this kinda thing some ?
    going through what we went through with my wife just from Canada by a bad person or two ! its always some small thing like that and I never throw a country under the bus
    I did look at Italy and might still at least you know it has its corruption like each country has no matter what were !
    that also comes from my time in Central America living

    so good outlook ! ! enjoying your journey !

  10. I moved to the states alone in my twenties ,it was a very frustrating,sometime humiliating experience and a long journey to get a green card, I came legally,followed all the rules ,I eventually succeeded and later became American.
    You have the right attitude do not give up ,stay graceful
    🙏🏼may the force be with you ,

  11. Stop!!! This person “helping” you with your “visa” is a fraud or a thief.” Thousands of American citizens buy property and receive permission to reside in Italy every year via legal steps. Contact the US Embassy for a list English speaking lawyers and consult the Italian Embassy in Washington’s website and the Italian Government Immigration website to get back on track. I am a retired U.S. consul resident in Italy, I urge you to get accurate
    Information and more professional assistance. Save money and spare your family needless distress by using the clear and legal procedures. You are NOT the victims of a nasty bureaucrat. You ARE victims of ignorance and sloppy advice!!!

  12. We applied over 4 years ago to move to America, which is my nation of birth. We are married 20 years, have money and skills. So my italian husband and I being inspired by you guys, are renovating a tiny home in a small village of 300 people. We haven't given up, yet we feel discriminated against for sure. Do lemonade it is, with the lemons given, or rather lemoncello 😅😊

  13. Sometimes we don't know why the door is slammed but " God makes the ways mysterious", "those called to Him by His will everything works for good "I believe it will work for good for your family 🤗 though it's hard may God give you strength and wisdom to overcome these bumps 🙏💪

  14. People with significant funds, $3 million in the bank, are buying these houses as secondary residences. Italy wants wealth to come and support their towns. They are not looking for working class or upper middle class. Italy does not want to have to support, in any way, those that cannot entirely support themselves and the towns. Italy wants very wealthy individuals, preferably Italian descendants, to reenergize their smaller communities.

  15. That is awful. Considering there are millions of illegal aliens getting into that country, it's despicable of that man to turn away beautiful family like yours. God bless you.

  16. I am a medical student of five years now. My visa got denied for US work and Travel J1 Visa. I had everything ready and the official didn’t even look me in the eye and it was only for about a minute. I was going to come back to my country and I had papers supporting it but just because she didn’t want to approve it without even giving a reason why. I was and still are heartbroken so I guess it goes both ways when it comes to the United States and any other country.

  17. We experienced similar in Portugaul, along with other Americans. (Different situation) If the person in authority has power over you & they are prejudice againt us Americans, they will certainly make your life difficult! Sorry you are going through this!

  18. Remember, the Italian proverb: Volere e potere…where there is a will there is a way. God bless all of you! Trust in God and He will fulfill your dream.🙏❤️

  19. Way to stay positive my friends ! I think that man is a piece of work to be sure 😡. I think his actions should be elvaluated to the position he’s no good at. WHAT was his problem? Didn’t get the raise he put in for? Or the higher position he applied for ? He should lose his job as that position is fit THE PEOPLE. I’ll pray for your family … the kids in school, your property, and the place you rented while working on that fabulous house. It’s beautiful ♥️ so rustic and I love that your keeping it that way. It’ll be ok 🤗🙏. Have faith … always remember GOD won’t put you through things that there’s not a way out of it , and going through this is because HE knows you’re strong and have the STAND to go forward. I love that Heather laughs 🥰 GOD BLESS YOU ALL. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER. This is JUST a part of the journey – like you said- a bump in the road. – a pothole so we’ll have to pave that road for a smoother ride. 🙏🙏🥰🥰

  20. Im sorry that happened to you but it definitely sounds how foreigners are treated at the US embassy when requesting a visa to the US. That’s definitely how people feel, so sad. The struggle is real for everyone

  21. A big congratulations on your life adventures!
    What a remarkable and inspiring way of raisin a family.
    With your videos I am more convinced with the harsh reality of the world we fortune or unfortunate are living in.
    I could assure that your family’s current situation is :
    Living live in the moment instead of a the robotic and monotonous kind, where any challenges are part of the journey, of living live each second of it.
    Thanks for the inspiration.

  22. one way another i m sure you will get visa. They will understand their mistake… this is just a new adventure for your family… And after all this lets cheer again 🙂

  23. Indeed- keep pushing forward. I know very well what you are experiencing- we made a similar journey forming a life in France. A place that is known for the red tape nightmare ;). Whether it was at the beginning (now years and years ago with getting a work visa, which included being denied- then going to the library to photocopy the law and return with that in hand, and force to be accepted) or later on, the very complicated process of citizenship. Yes, many frustrating moments, but beautiful ones too- and now they are woven together to remind us of our complicated path that was worth every moment of effort. We also have 2 children, doing renovation…and indeed we are further along on our path and believe me- it is a beautiful life, more rich for persevering our dreams. We continue to push forward new dreams, and new projects of our life here, that again have obstacles- what an adventure!! 🙂

  24. Well….I'm sorry to hear about your plight. I think perhaps one should not go and purchase a place and begin work before you know for sure you are going to be able to stay. I am 70 years old and I was making plans to move to Italy and live there on a retirement visa. I had a home I was going to purchase and pay cash for with the money from the sale of my home in the US. I live on my social security and a small pension….totaling a little over $24,000. I found out just shortly before I was going to make an offer on the house that you must have $34,000 guaranteed income. I was shocked and heartbroken. I was told just to go ahead and purchase the house and hope for the best. I was however warned that it generally just depends on who you get. Like you said…..One person may wake up on the wrong side of the bed and deny you right off the bat! Then another may just let you go on through and you are well on your way to your dream of retiring in Italy. On the retirement visa….you may not have a job. I was trying to explain that I would not have a mortgage nor rent….and so I felt they should credit me a little because I can make it fine with no mortgage and driving a good old used car. The risk was just too high…..and I have animals and so for me to pack up and leave every 3 months was not possible. I am so relieved that I did not go through with the sale of my home. That would have saddened me to no limit. I believed I could love the new home in Italy as much as I love the one I have here and is paid for. I haven't had a mortgage nor rent in over 20 years and I have made it fine with my income. So I really feel for you guys. I hope you get it all straightened out and all the hard work is not going to be in vain. Your girls are precious. Good luck to you and I will certainly follow you to see what happens. This is the reason I hate man made borders. Why can't we live anywhere we choose on this Earth? Everything is backwards and upside down Oh well……Peace be with you.

  25. The title caught my attention! I retired to Italy from work in Germany, & ended up going back to the states so I could get the visa at the Italian consulate in Houston. The local Questura refused me also, same attitude, so after I finally got the visa I could start the process for a permesso di soggiorno. My heart goes out to you, I tell people Spirit sent me to Italy to learn patience!! I love your positivity, it WILL happen. Blessings!

  26. Great insight at the end and so true. Having times when everything seems like it is going wrong is part of life. I love your attitude and how you are dealing with things. Here’s to hoping that the next part of the process has a positive outcome.

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