Work Visa Italy
The Italy work visa is a type of Italian Long-Stay visa, also known as a National or D-Visa. The Italian work visa is simply an entrance visa. This means that it grants you permission to enter Italy, but you still need to get additional permission to stay (a residence permit or permesso di soggiorno).
In addition to that, there is also a set quota of how many work permits Italy will issue.
This is called a Decreto Flussi (translating to “flow decree”).
Through the Decreto Flussi, the Italian government issues work permits for seasonal and non-seasonal workers.
This means that you can only apply for an Italy work visa if:
- The Decreto Flussi is open
- The yearly quota hasn’t been filled
- You have an employer in Italy who will apply for your work permit (Nulla Osta)*
- You are granted a work permit
*An Italian work permit is called a Nulla Osta al lavoro. Your employer has to apply for a Nulla Osta document at their province’s (Preffetura’s) Immigration Office (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione – SUI).
The Italian government also issues work permits for foreign nationals who are already living in Italy and want to convert their current student or training residence permit into a work residence permit.
How You Can Get an Italian Work Visa and Permit
So, you’re a foreign national who wants to move to Italy and find a job. Unfortunately, if you are a non-EU citizen, you need to already have a job in Italy (and have fulfilled several conditions) before you can apply for an Italy Work Visa.
For non-EU nationals, receiving permission to live and work in Italy involves a three-part 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). Only after your employer receives your work permit and sends it to you, you can:
- Apply for an Italy Work Visa at the Italian Representation in your home country. If you receive the Italy Work Visa, only then you can.
- Enter Italy and apply for a Residence Permit to be allowed to stay and work in the country legally.
In addition, you only have a short window of time during which you can apply for an Italian Work Visa. The Italian Government also sets out yearly quotas in regards to how many non-EU citizens they will issue work visas to.
An Italian work visa is usually valid for the duration of the work contract, but no longer than two years. It can be renewed for up to five years.