Italy Work Visa Requirements

A work visa permits an individual to engage in full time employment in a country where he/she may not naturally be eligible to work.  The authorisation to work must come from the relevant authority in the country he/she intends to work in and will generally be issued in the form of a standard document or, more commonly, a stamp in your passport. There are numerous factors which affect an applicant work permit application however a work permit/residence visa will depend largely on your nationality and the type of job you intend to take on. It must be noted that depending on the country you seek employment and residency in; some individuals are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements (for example the European Union) do not stipulate that an EU citizen must obtain a work visa to enable them to live and work in EU countries. Each jurisdiction will provide general criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for a work visa.

Who requires an Italy Work Permit?

Italy is a member of the European Union and as such, allows for all EU nationals to both live and work in Italy without a residence visa or employment permit.  EU nationals are eligible to relocate to Italy and engage in full time employment as a result of the Freedom of Movement Act as enforced under EU Law.  This act gives all EU citizens the right to move freely between EU member states with their spouse and dependants without the need to acquire a residence permit.  After a period of 90 days, if the citizen wants to remain living and working in Italy the applicant must register his/her right to reside and seek a permit to stay.

Non-EU citizens have to obtain an ‘entry visa for reasons of work’, this visa is essential to acquire before the applicant enters and commences work in Italy.  Employees who are not executives or at management level are required to get workers registration card which entitles them to legally be employed in Italy.  The workers registration card is obtainable from the Provincial Inspectorate of Work in Italy.

Italy Work Permits

Foreign Nationals intending to work in Italy on a long term basis are required to obtain a valid work permit.  The foreign national will be subject to an investigation to his/her background to ascertain if he/she has any criminal convictions.  This is necessary to ascertain applicant’s character and to ensure the applicant will not pose a threat to the local employment of the EU.

An Italy work permit can only be applied for when the individual is outside of Italy, the foreign national cannot enter Italy first then seek a work permit.

The validity of an Italy Work Permit is typically issued for a 12 month period however; the holder of a work permit has the opportunity to extend the permit where necessary.

Main Types of Work Permits

There are 3 main categories of Work Permits in Italy depending on the individual’s situation.  The categories are as follows;

1) Permits for individuals who are employed in Italy (this is where the individual has already obtained a job offer from an Italy sponsor company)

2) Permits for individuals who intend to job search in Italy

3) Permits for individuals who intend to be self employed in Italy (permit is valid for a an initial period of 1 year)

Required Documentations for the application stages

Work permits where an offer of employment has already been made require the following documents for application;

- Completed visa application form

- Valid passport

- 1 x passport photo

- Employment contract from sponsor company

- Original medical certificate of applicant

- Original copy of a No-objection certificate from the local Italian police authorities.

- Submit documented proof of a regular income to support your expenses while residing in Italy

Work permits where the applicant intends to be a job seeker in Italy require the following documentation:

- Completed Visa application form

- 1 x passport photo and valid passport

- Original copy of a No-objection certificate from the local Italian police authorities.

- Submit documented proof of a regular income to support your expenses while residing in Italy

Work permits where the applicant intends to be self employed in Italy the following documents are required;

- Relevant professional license to engage in the relevant self employment business activity

- The applicant must submit a state of intent to the Italian Chamber of Commerce which declares the necessary financial resources required to undertake in the business activity

- Copy of the company’s most recent balance sheet or Income tax return papers.

- Submit documented proof of a regular income to support your expenses while residing in Italy

Application process time

The processing time for obtaining an Italy work permit is typically about 8 weeks, however this will differ according to the applicant individual employment situation.

Stay Permits

A ‘stay permit’ is necessary for all candidates intending to enter Italy for the purposes of employment.  The two most relevant categories of stay permits are the; Permesso di soggiorno per lavoro (employee permit) and the Permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo/indipendente (permit for self employed/ freelance workers).

Frontier Workers Permit

A frontier worker does not require a work permit as such but does need to obtain a frontiers workers card from their local police headquaters.  A frontiers workers permit is applicable to all individuals whom work in Italy but reside outside the Italian Jurisdiction.  Gerenally it is required that the applicant must return to his/her country of abode at least once per week to qualify as a frontier worker.

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