Hello all,
I want to throw a scenario at you all and see what you think. Let’s say you are an American who wants nothing more than to live legally in Italy and can survive only working part-time over there. In reality, the only possible way for Americans (who have no family links to EU) to live long-term in Italy seems to me to acquire a student visa. There are certainly a lot of schools out there, and if you enroll while over in Italy you can get the enrollment letter which you would need at the Consulate.
Hypothetically, you could get that one-year visa, get your PdS when you arrive, then every year ask to enroll in that same school (or enroll in another school) before your one year is up, return to the states, and go to the consulate for a one year visa. Then repeat, every year. You might not have to actually finish (or even attend) classes as long as you got that letter every year.
Does anyone see any potential problems with this? (i.e., do you think the Consulate would deny the visa request after a couple years? Do they care? Would they (especially smaller consulates) remember you after a couple years?) Another possibility is to enroll in a 2- or 3-year program and attempt to extend your PdS while over in Italy, but I heard that is less likely to be approved. I have also heard that sometimes (but rarely), a student visa is denied if a picky consulate doesn’t see a connection between what you HAVE studied and what you are PLANNING to study.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ciao Jsmitty

Thats one approach but much too long..I have been helping foriegners live and work in Italy for the last 4 years and here is the simplest way to stay legally in Italy. Purchase a home and if you dont have a lot of money purchase a small apartment. A small deposit is required for example on a 40,000 euro property x 30% is 12,000 euro or some property even cheaper if you do not have a large amount to deposit. If you buy a property our company lawyer prepares all the paperwork for you to stay legally and Most important is that Once you own a property you will have a codice fiscal number and that will allow you to search for jobs and be employeed. If you are a foriegner and need help just send me an email francotarsitano@msn.com or go too my profile and send me a private message.

Thanks
Salve
Franco Tarsitano
Real Estate Broker & Land Developer
Calabria, Italy