Italy — immigration
Italy: visas for highly skilled workers
Which permits are not subject to the yearly quota system?
ITALY’s work permits are subject to yearly quotas
Immigration for work purposes in Italy is based on a quota-system which is fixed by means of a Decree — the so-called “decreto-flussi“.
The decree sets the numerical limits (quota) for each category of foreign nationals allowed to apply for a work permit and the period during which applications can be submitted. Work permits are normally granted on a first come, first served basis.
During last few years due to the high unemployment rate (which is higher amongst foreigners who already live in the country) quotas have been issued only for categories like seasonal workers, conversion of study permits and only a very limited number for the various categories of self-employment permits.
Any exceptions?
Some categories of workers are excluded from the cap and are not subject to a fixed limit, such as ICT assignments, highly qualified workers, executives or managerial employees assigned to the Italian branch of a foreign legal entity, university lecturers and professors, translators and interpreters, professional nurses, researchers, etc.
- Posted workers (lavoratori distaccati): a work visa can be issued when a worker is assigned to work at an Italian company for a fixed period of time (maximum of five years), but remains on the payroll of the foreign company (eg INTRA COMPANY TRANSFERS or workers assigned pursuant to a service agreement);
- A “mission visa” (visto per missione) can be issued to foreign nationals who need to travel to Italy for reasons related to their political, governmental or public interest function, in particular: (i) Government officers, employees of Public administration/public bodies or Employees of International organisations who are sent to Italy to perform their duties; (ii) private citizens whose importance and purpose of stay may be considered of public interest for relations between the home country and Italy;
- Highly skilled workers: those who have a three-year University diploma, are offered a minimum one-year contract and a salary of not less €25,000/year can be hired directly in Italy and obtain the so-called 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒕.
What is the Blue Card permit?
The EU Blue Card permit allows a company to hire with a local employemnt contract non-EU highly specialized workers. It can be applied for at any time of the year, as it is not subject to the limitations of the immigration quotas. The application is to be submitted by the Company which is interested to hire the worker and not by the worker.
Application Procedure
The procedure for obtaining a Blue card work permit is the following:
- Work permit (Nulla Osta) Online application, filed by the Italian employer;
- Visa: work permit is issued and worker can apply for the Visa at the Italian Consulate which has jurisdiction over his place of residence (which must be indicated in the work permit application).
- Entry into Italy, within 8 days the worker must go to the local Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione) and sign the contract of stay (contratto di soggiorno), i.e. confirmation of the terms and conditions of the job offer. From the next day worker can be hired and put on company’s payroll;
- Permesso di soggiorno: worker can file the application for the residence permit (Police registration) at the Post Office
- Fingerprinting: after 1–2 monts worker is summoned by the Police and given an appointment for fingerprinting;
- The permit is issued: after 2–3 months (waiting time can be longer) the Police will inform the worker that the permit is issued and can be collected.
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