California woman details amazing life after bagging coveted visa that lets her live in Italy and work remotely

A California woman shared her incredible experience after snagging a visa for her dream life in Italy - and moving out in only a matter of days. 

Chelsea Waite managed to secure herself a visa to live in Milan, Italy, as part of a new digital nomad visa launched in April, but so far very few seem to have been able to do the same. 

She joined several groups on social media for those who are applying but is yet to find another successful applicant. So why are these visas so difficult to get? 

Waite had lived in San Francisco as a public relations expert and fell in love with Italy after her first visit in 2017 when she took a trip to Florence and Tuscany. 

Waite was aware of how difficult it would be to relocate and manage to secure herself a visa, she told CNN: 'I really fell in love with everything Italy had to offer, but knowing I'd have to find sponsorship or employment, it didn't feel feasible.' 

She also was holding down a full-time job in San Francisco, that was until the pandemic. In 2020, Waite began her own PR company working with tech startups. 

She then visited Milan in 2023, and upon returning back to the states, she got in touch with an immigration attorney. 

'I had this deep feeling that I was meant to live here,' she said, '[But] they said that because I was self-employed, it was even more challenging now. 

Waite said she was advised to find an Italian company to do business with and have a collaboration contract stating that it would be beneficial for her to be in Italy, but this wasn't something she was able to pursue.    

Then, as luck would have it, in April 2024, the nomad visa scheme was launched and suddenly the move seemed like a possibility. 

Waite jumped into action looking for any information, but there was few details available about the process aside from telling her she needed an appointment with an Italian consulate - which are notoriously difficult to get. 

For six weeks, she hunted, but it wasn't until May that her prayers were answered. 

'I randomly looked at a different time of day and it brought me to a portal,' she said. The usual warning of a four-month wait wasn't the case for Waite, as one was available just ten days later. 

With still as little information as ever, Waite scrambled to put together all potential documentation that could help paint her as the perfect candidate. 

'The lack of information was the biggest thing I struggled with. There's no one online sharing their experience, nothing showing what you needed to receive the visa,' she told CNN. 

'I knew 10 days was a tall order- I would need a lease [on an apartment], health insurance, tax returns, client contracts and certification of my degree,' she added.

As luck would have it, Waite was able to pull everything together. Her father, who works in real estate, was able to put her in touch with an agency in Milan, and she paid a deposit of three month's rent. 

She bought health insurance and got her degree certified in only a matter of days and pulled together her tax returns, as well as documentation of her remote work since 2020 and previous employment contracts.  

Going the extra mile, she also included state and federal background checks and her resume, with a grand total of 120 pages of documentation for her appointment in June of this year. 

Ten days later, Waite had her visa, and she said: 'by nothing less of a miracle, everything fell into place.'  

Still, the stressful part was far from over. Her visa arrived just two days before her trip to London on June 19, where she would be staying for a month-long trip. 

Instead of seeing the trip as a delay to her move, Waite decided to see her stay in London as a stop off point as she moved across the world. 

In just 48 hours, she packed up her life into suitcases and organized for her two rescue dogs to fly out with her. 

She officially moved out of her San Francisco apartment in September by hiring an assistant and enlisting friends to clear her things out for her. Her final belongings were shipped to her in suitcases by her friends. 

'I love Milan,' she said. 'I work in tech, and I think it's the most business-minded city in Italy. I definitely see myself staying here. I've been able to meet a number of expats and foreigners and am beginning to create a community.' 

Waite has hardly been idle in her attempts to build her new life in Italy, she goes to workshops, gym classes and finds herself chatting in local cafés to make new connections. 

She has also found herself exploring Italy and beyond, making several trips to Lake Como, Florence and Tuscany as well as taking a couple of flights to Greece. 

Her nomad visa lasts a year, after that she can renew for a permit to stay. Five years on, she can qualify for permanent residency, and after ten years, she can apply for an Italian passport. 

'So far, my experience is extremely positive. I've made some new friends, other expats, and live in a wonderful apartment complex with very kind neighbors,' she said.  

Waite has said she is 'extremely grateful' she was successful in her application, but others have been less fortunate. 

The Italian consulate in London alone has only issued 13 to British residents. 

Waite said there are many steps that can make you out to be a better candidate, such as securing long-term accommodation, she added: 'At first, I thought maybe I can rent an Airbnb for a few months, then figure out permanent accommodation, but that wouldn't suffice.' 

Applicants would have to secure themselves a signed lease but would also need to make sure it details a clause allowing them to cancel should they be unsuccessful in their visa process. 

Waite also thinks applicants should demonstrate a minimum salary of more than $27,000, reported CNN, as she was able to evidence exceeding for the past three years. 

Finally, she told the outlet that certified qualifications and certifications are a must.

'It's a huge requirement to assert your professional standing and expertise,' she said, adding that it is far better to be overprepared. 

However, the process, as ruthless as it seems, is also not for those short on savings. 

Waite estimated between $5,000 to $10,000 was spent on the whole process, the visa application itself costing $124, and collecting her documentation as well as her deposit. 

She has started working on a guide for prospective nomad visa applicants, who may need a hand in navigating the process as she was unable to find. 

Waite, despite all trials and tribulations during the process, says it was worth it: 'There are high highs and low lows, and it was very emotional. Just stay positive.'