Work Visa Italy 2025
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Non-EU nationals can enter Italy to do job-related tasks with an Italian work visa.
Both the Italian Residence Permit and the Work Visa must be applied for in order to live and work in Italy legally. Furthermore, you can be subject to the government’s in-quota or extra-quota system, depending on the type of work you want to do.
The entire work visa application process in Italy could take two to six months.
The most recent Italian government regulation with operational guidelines on work permit applications by staffing agencies may be of interest to you if you are submitting the application through one of these agencies.
The in-quota and extra-quota system for work visa Italy
The Italian government issues work visas according to the in-quota and extra-quota systems.
The in-quota system establishes a maximum number of Italian Work Visas in a calendar year for specific work activities. The extra-quota system includes a series of work visas with no restrictions that fall “outside” of this quota.
quota system for a restricted quantity of work visas.
According to Law Decree 286/1998, the Italian government designates a set number of non-EU nationals who are permitted to visit Italy with a work permit each year in order to carry out particular kinds of work.
Allowed number of work permits in Italy for 2023/2025
For the year 2024, a maximum of 151,000 workers can enter Italy.
Extra-quota: unlimited number of work Visa in Italy for specific categories
- Applicants can always request the extra-quota permits, as they are not subject to the limitations of the in-quota system.
- This is the perfect solution for highly specialized employees, foreigners performing specific activities or workers in managerial positions.
- If you want alternatives to the in-quota system you might check for a Blue Card, an ICT Visa, an Art 27 letter A or an Business Visa.
- EU Blue Card (T.U. nr 286/1998), art. 27-quater, paragraph 1, letter a
For eligible individuals who have been offered a position by an Italian business, the EU Blue Card is a work permit. - The following conditions must be fulfilled by the applicant in order to be eligible for a European Blue Card:
- Have a University decree of at least three years’ duration and, if required, the necessary professional qualifications. The Italian Consulate in the country that issued the qualification must validate it (Dichiarazione di Valore).
- Have a valid work contract or job offer from an employer based in Italy.
- High-level job in Italy: The position offered in Italy must be for a highly skilled position, falling within Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 of the Italian Institute of Statistics ISTAT CP 2011 job classification.
- The salary in Italy meets the salary requirement of the EU Blue Card: The salary offered must not be less than 3 times the minimum salary to be exempt from national health contributions, i.e. € 24.789.
Application process for the Italian Work Visa
The following procedures make up the application process for an Italian work visa, which can take between 2 and 6 months regardless of the in-quota or extra-quota system:
- Pre-authorization: The Italian host company has to submit a dedicated online application (Nulla Osta) to the local authorities. Once received the Nulla Osta, employees can apply for the work visa at the Italian embassy of their country of origin;
- Stay Permit: After obtaining the visa and once arrived in Italy, employees must submit an application for the Permesso di Soggiorno at the local post office within 8 days from their arrival. Employees will then receive receipts in order to start working legally in the Country;
- Fingerprinting: After the Permesso di Soggiorno application, employees must personally get to the Police Station in charge in the territory on the day and time scheduled for fingerprinting by the Police Station
- Withdrawal of residence permit: The Police Station contact che applicants to collect the residence permit, once ready.
Intra Company Transfer Visa (ICT)
The maximum duration of the intra-corporate transfer is 3 years for managers and specialized workers and one year for trainees. At least 3 months must elapse between the end of the maximum duration of the intra-corporate transfer and the submission of another application for entry into national territory for intra-corporate transfer for the same foreigner.
At the termination of the intra-corporate transfer, the alien will return to an entity belonging to the same undertaking or to an undertaking of the same group established in a third country.
Art. 27 letter A. of TUI
It is possible to renew the residence contract for up to five years and is the only type of posted worker that allows the possibility of integration into the workforce of the posted company, once the first residence contract ends.
Art. 27 letter I of the TUI
This permit allows to enter Italy only for the time necessary to complete the contract’s w
Italy Business Visa
The duration of the Italian Business Visa depends on the length of the stay for business: however, it cannot exceed a duration of 90 days per semester.
If you are interested in other types of Italian visas for a long-term stay in Italy, check out our complete guide on Italian Long Stay Visa.
If you are looking for support for your Italian visa application, Studio A&P can help you: check out our Immigration services to Italy.
For more information on how to apply for an Italian Visa, take a look at our related article.