If you are a non-EU citizen and intend to work in Italy, you must first get a work permit.
The National visa, often known as the D-visa, is used in this situation.
You must apply for a residence permit within eight days of entering the country once you have received your work visa.
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Work Visa for Italy
The Italy work visa is a Long-Stay visa in Italy, commonly known as a National or D-Visa.
The Italian work visa is nothing more than an entry visa.
It implies that it allows you to enter Italy, but you must obtain additional authorization to stay (a residence permit or permesso di soggiorno).
You must apply for your permesso di soggiorno within eight days after entering Italy.
Types of Work Permits in Italy
As a member of the European Union (EU), Italy permits nationals of other EU member states to work without the need for a particular visa or authorization.
Citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) nations are likewise free to work in Italy.
Employees who are neither EU nor EEA nationals will require a Nulla Osta or Italy work visa.
A work visa is classified as a Long-Stay visa in Italy, which is also known as a National or D-Visa.
It is critical to understand that the Italian work visa only permits employees to enter the country.
They will need to seek a residence permit in Italy upon arrival to stay.
Work visas in Italy are classified into the following categories:
Part-Time Work Visa:
The majority of student visas enable you to work up to twenty hours per week while in Italy. Before looking for work, you should double-check the terms of your visa.
Fixed-term Work Visa:
If you are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, or South Korea under the age of 30 and a Canadian citizen under 35, you can apply for a one-year visa that permits you to go to Italy and work while there. If you are a Canadian citizen, you may be able to use this sort of visa for up to two years.
Seasonal Employees Visa:
Seasonal workers must apply for a visa in the same manner as described above. The company takes the lead in this application, and work visas allow for a six-month stay.
After then, an extension of up to three months might be requested.
Self-employment Visa:
An applicant can get an Italian work visa as an entrepreneur; if you want to work for yourself while in Italy, you must apply for a self-employment visa using the same method detailed above.
Italy provides a variety of work visas, including visas for:
- Salaried employment
- Seasonal work (related to agriculture or tourism)
- Seasonal position (related to agriculture or tourism)
- Long-term seasonal work (2years)
- Sports activities
- Artistic work
- Working holiday
- Scientific research
Before applying to Italy work Visa
You must first ensure that you are eligible to apply for an Italy work visa.
Because the Italian government only allows work visa applications for a few months every one or two years, depending on the status of the Italian employment market and immigration.
In addition, Italy has a quota for the number of work permits it will issue. This is known as a Decreto Flussi (which translates to “flow decree”).
The Decreto Flussi started in April of this year, and the Italian government set a limit of 30,850 work permits – the same as in 2018.
The Italian government grants work permits for seasonal and non-seasonal workers through the Decreto Flussi.
This implies that you may only apply for a work visa in Italy if you meet the following criteria:
- The Decreto Flussi is open for business.
- The annual quota has not been met.
- You have an Italian employer who will apply for your work visa (Nulla Osta)*. You have been issued a work permit.
- A Nulla Osta al Lavoro is an Italian work permit. Your employer must apply for a Nulla Osta document at the Immigration Office of their province (Preffetura) (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione – SUI).
- The Italian government also offers work permits to foreign nationals who are already in the country and wish to change their existing student or training residence permit into a work residence visa.
How to get an Italian Work permit?
So, you’re a citizen of another country looking to relocate to Italy and find work.
Regrettably, if you are a non-EU citizen, you should have already a job in Italy (and have met numerous requirements) before you apply for an Italy Work Visa.
For non-EU nationals, obtaining authorization to reside and work in Italy is a three-step process:
Find an Italian employer who will hire you and apply for your work permit (they have to apply for your work authorization in Italy) (they have to apply for your work authorization in Italy).
Only after your employer receives your work permit and sends it to you, you can:
Apply for a work visa in Italy at the Italian embassy in your native country.
Only if you have an Italy Work Visa will you be able to:
Enter Italy and apply for a Residence Permit to reside and work lawfully in the country.
Furthermore, you only have a limited amount of time to apply for an Italian Work Visa.
The Italian government also establishes yearly quotas for the number of non-EU people to whom work permits will be issued.
Required Documents for applying for an Italian Work visa
When applying for a work visa in Italy, you must provide supporting papers necessary for an Italian visa application.
The following are the additional requirements for an Italy Work Visa:
a copy of your signed employment contract
- Your original and a duplicate of your Nulla Osta.
- Form for an Italian Long-Stay Visa completed.
- Passport with least two blank pages valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of your visa
- Photographs for passports.
- Evidence of lodging in Italy.
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources.
- Proof of visa fee payment.
- Diplomas and other types of certificates
Work Visa Requirements in Italy and a Checklist for Employers
- Documents about the nominated position (not about the person being designated)
- Nominee contract
- Documents demonstrating that you provide comparable job terms and conditions
- Documents demonstrating that you have conducted labour market research (if applicable)
Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of prerequisites.
The criteria for an Italy work visa vary based on the country and unique situation; thus, you should always contact the relevant government where you are seeking a work visa for further information.
The Italian authorities have the right to seek whatever papers they deem necessary.
Where and When to apply?
If the Italian consulate issues you a work permit, your employer must transmit it to you (usually electronically).
The Italian government also informs the Italian representative in your country (such as an Italian embassy or consulate) that you intend to apply for a work visa.
If your nation does not have an Italian Representation, you must apply at the Visa Application Center or another Schengen nation’s representation to whom Italy has outsourced visa applications.
You must submit your application in person after gathering all required papers and downloading and completing the Italy Visa Application Form.
After you apply for an Italian work visa, the Italian authorities will review your application and determine if you fit the visa criteria.
If you are granted an Italian work visa, you have six months to pick it up and visit the country.
After Applying for an Italy work visa
You have eight days after entering Italy on a work visa to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno passport (residence permit).
You must apply for a residency permit at the post office in your neighbourhood.
When you apply, you must provide your work permit and visa and any extra supporting papers.
The Foreign Department (Ufficio Stranieri) of your local Italian Police Headquarters (Questura) will then issue you an Italian residency permit, which will allow you to live and work in Italy.
Processing Time for Visa
You will normally have to wait no more than 30 days after submitting your application.
Once granted, you will be notified by your local consulate or diplomatic post, and you will have six months to collect your visa.
Your work visa is valid for the term of your contract, which cannot be less than a year.
If you have an unlimited contract, your work permit can only be valid for two years.
The duration of your residence permit will match the time of your contract.
Italian Work Visa Fees
In Italy, a work visa costs 116 EUR (140 USD).
Unless otherwise specified, this fee is paid in the nation’s currency in which the application is submitted.
Self-Employment Visa Requirements
You will need the following documents to apply for a self-employment visa in Italy:
- A self-employment work permit; and a residency permit within eight days of entering the country.
To apply for a self-employment visa, the first step is to get a self-employment work authorization from the administrative authorities.
- To do so, you must locate the appropriate administrative entity through the Italian Chamber of Commerce to award you a work permit for self-employment depending on the professional activity you intend to carry out in the nation.
The immigration office (SUI) and the Provincial Directorate of Labor confirm that you are qualified and meet the quota requirements before issuing you a working visa.
Application Form and Process for Self-Employment Visa:
Applying for a self-employment visa is similar to applying for a conventional work visa.
You apply at the Italian embassy in your home country no later than three months before you want to move to Italy.
If you require an appointment, contact your embassy or consulate.
- When applying at your nearest embassy, you will need to bring the following documents:
- Make sure you pick the self-employment option on the Italian visa application form.
- a current passport-size photograph;
- A valid passport or ID with an expiration date at least three months later than the visas;
- The SUI’s self-employment work permit (nulla osta).
After the embassy or consulate notifies you that your visa has been approved, you have six months (beginning on the day your work permit is granted) to collect your visa and visit Italy.
The quota system also applies to the self-employment visa. Keep track of the dates and quotas that have been issued for that year.
Self-Employment Visas Fees
In Italy, the price for a self-employment visa is 116 EUR (140 USD).
Unless otherwise specified, this cost is paid in the currency of the nation where you are applying.
Italy Work Visa Validity
An Italian work visa usually is valid for the employment contract period, but no more than two years.
It is renewable for a maximum of 5 years.
Working in Italy – EU Nationals
Because Italy is a European Union member, any EU national can enter the country and begin working immediately (such as a work permit).
They must, however, get a “declaration of presence” from a local police station or Questura.
However, if an EU citizen wishes to stay for more than three months, they must additionally apply for a residence permit.
Other essential aspects for Italian work permits
One of the unusual factors to consider while applying for a work permit in Italy is that applications are only allowed for a few months every one to two years.
This application period fluctuates based on the situation of immigration and the Italian labour market.
There is also a certain number of work visas that the Italian government will grant within a specific period.
Highly qualified workers may be excused from the quota, but they must still go through the proper procedure of applying for a work permit and visa.
In Conclusion
If you are an EU citizen or a citizen of Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you will not need a work permit to work in Italy.
To stay in the nation for more than 90 days, you must apply for residency at your local town hall (comune).
They will be able to guide you on the paperwork you will need to submit with your application.
Non-EU citizens must get a visa, residence permit, and work access to live and work in the nation.
There are several sorts of visas available based on the purpose of your visit.
When submitting, you’ll need to submit a completed visa application form, a valid passport, recent passport pictures, and supporting papers that vary depending on the type of visa you’re requesting for.
You must apply for a residence permit as soon as you arrive if you are a foreign national.
To learn more about Italian work permits, contact the Italian consulate or embassy in your home country – in the United Kingdom, this is the Embassy of Italy in London – or visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.