Immigration FAQ

• EU Blue Card
• ICT Transfer
• Non-Quota ICT Transfer
• Employment Permit for salaried work

• Visa Type C for Business
• Visa Type D for work, studies and family reunification

• Takes typically 2 to 7 months until entry to Italy, and a further 1 to 3 months before the whole process is completed (Blue Card)
• Takes typically 3 to 6 months until entry to Italy, and a further 1 to 3 months before the whole process is complete (ICT)
• Takes typically 2 to 7 months until entry to Italy, and a further 3 to 5 months before the whole process is complete (Non-Quota ICT)

• 1 week to 2 months for document collection and translations/legalizations (ICT)
• 1 week to 2 months for document collection and translations/legalizations (Non-Quota ICT)
• 1 week to 2 months for document collection and translations/legalizations; 1 week to 4 months for Degree Validation (Blue Card)

• ICT Work Permit Application: 9 weeks to 3 months; Visa Type D Application: 1 week to 1 month
• Non-Quota ICT Work Permit (Nulla Osta) Application: 2 to 4 months; Visa Type D Application: 1 week to 1 month
• Blue Card Application: 2 to 3 months; Visa Type D Application: 1 to 2 weeks

• EU ICT Work Permit: 3 years; Visa Type D: 1 year; Permit of Stay: 2 years
• Non-Quota Work Permit (Nulla Osta): 2 years; Visa Type D: 1 years; Permit of Stay: 2 years
• EU Blue Card: 2 years; Visa Type D: 1 year; Permit of Stay: 2 years

Once the work permit and visa has been obtained, the employee can enter Italy and start working immediately.

There is no quota, cap or ratio of local workers to foreign workers.

Yes, to be considered for the fast-track program, employers must have made all minimum social security payments before applying and sign an agreement with the Ministry.

The host company shall sign a so-called Protocollo di Intesa (Protocol Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, MOU), with the Ministry of Interior. The protocol is applicable to (one protocol must be signed for each procedure):

• Managers or highly qualified personnel seconded to Italy (intra company assignment). Allows foreign employees in an executive/senior managerial/specialized knowledge role to be temporarily assigned to a subsidiary/branch/affiliate.
• EU Blue Card – Highly skilled workers. For highly qualified workers to be placed under a local job contract as employees of the Italian company.
• Managers/specialists/trainees seconded to Italy in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer.

After living in Italy for more than five years with a temporary residency, you can apply for an Italian Permanent Residence Permit.

• Have a minimum income no lower than the annual amount of the welfare allowance.
• Regular resident of Italy for at least 5 years.
• Provide Police Clearances Certificates.
• Pass an Italian Language Test, equivalent to the A2 level.
• Have suitable accommodation.

• Passport 
• CV/Resume
• Evidence of legal immigration status
• Photographs
• Private Health Insurance
• Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy
• Validated Degree Certificate (EU Blue Card Only)

Any documents not in Italian must be translated prior to submission to the Italian authorities and many also require notarization, apostille, or legalization. 

Degree Validation:
Must have the apostilled and translated educational degree validate by the Italian consular post in the country of document issuance.

• Work Permits: Online to the immigration office
• Visa Type D: Must be submitted to the Italian consular post in the applicants country of residence within 120 days of the issuance of the work permit approval
• Permit of Stay: Must apply for a resident permit within 8 days of arrival in Italy at the Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per immigrazione)

The application must be sponsored by an entity in Italy.

• Power of Attorney
• Italian Chamber of Commerce Certificate
• Documents proving relationship between sending entity and Italian entity
• Italian Tax Report
• Proof of compliance with social security and labor obligations
• Copy of the Italian Company Representative
• Proof of accommodation in Italy
• Work Permit Fixed expenses
• Payslips
• F24 Forms with DM10 Payments (EU Blue Card only)
• Employment Offer (EU Blue Card Only)
• Employer UNILAV Form (EU Blue Card Only)

Renewal lead time: 4-5 months

Yes.

Spouses
Can accompany, work and study

Partners
Can accompany, work and study

Children
Can accompany and study

Yes.

Yes.

Their work permit and residential address must be formally deregistered prior to their final departure or after departure.

• Integration Agreement
• Legalizations and translations
• Local Variations
• Maximum Duration
• New Process
• No Permanent Residence after for ICT option
• Schengen Travel Restrictions
• Summer Processing Times
• Salary criteria: at least 24,000 euros per annum (EU Blue Card)