Unlike some other countries, expatriates starting work in Italy will require a residence permit instead of a work permit or Italian working visa. A residence permit will enable legality when living and working within Italian borders.
Citizens of the EU (European Union) will not be required to source a work permit in order to work legally in Italy, as they hold the right to work in any EU member state. Expatriates from these EU states only have to apply for an Italian residence card after having arrived in Italy. An expatriate from outside the European Union will have to apply for a working residence permit for Italy.
However, before any of this can happen, the expatriate’s Italian employer will first need to apply for clearance, known locally as ‘nulla osta al lavoro’. This will need to be applied for at the one-stop immigration centre in the expatriate’s country of residence.
Although the expatriate or applicant is required to submit the requested documentation from the Italian government, it’s actually the employer who shoulders the responsibility for a majority of the application. Expats are required to have signed an employment contract with their employer before actually applying for an Italian work permit, as it has to be ‘submitted to the company’s local provincial immigration office as a part of the application to hire a foreigner’.
After the potential employee has received official clearance to hire an expatriate or foreign worker, the expatriate/employee can then apply for an Italian work visa. This can be applied for at the nearest local Italian diplomatic presence.
Once cleared to work in Italy, the expatriate will then be issued a visa ensuring entry to Italy, applied for at their local Italian consulate. This will contain a tax code that is vital for other processes involving bureaucratic attributes.
Italian Working Visa: Residents Permits
Any expatriate who intends to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days (or three months) will need to apply for a residence permit. These permits are incredibly important as they allow foreigners and expatriates to remain within Italy’s borders, although conditions are different for each job sector and category.
Whether or not the expatriate has applied for a permit before or after arriving in Italy, depending on the expatriate’s nationality. The next step is to report to their local immigration centre before having been in the country for eight days. Some provinces will allow this to be performed at a local postal office.
The permit for residence is usually issued as the new arrivals are summoned to the local police station for collection. This will require filling in an application document where the type of permit required must be stated alongside displaying proof of identity, photos and fingerprints. These requirements from the police station can be different for each different type of permit. The Italian residence permit will find the expatriate holding an electronic smart card in their name to protect them from fraudulent activities.
To obtain the residence permit, expatriates will need to submit various documents, which include a passport alongside photocopies, extra passport photos and the required application forms with the application fee. Expatriates are advised to coordinate with their Italian employer to discover when exactly this should be done.
Once the expatriate applicant receives a receipt for the application then this will afford them the rights they have applied for until the residence card actually arrives.
The duration that the working resident will last for is valid as long as the expatriate/applicants entry visa is valid. It is also worth noting that residence permit holders have access to governmental benefits and services.
Work Permit Validity
Expatriates with a valid permit for a year or more are requested to report to the Ministero Dell’Interno, or Italian Ministry of Interior, where an agreement will be entered to fulfil certain integration objectives; such as attending classes on speaking the Italian language.
A working residence permit is valid for six months if undertaking seasonal work, but this can be extended by a further three months. If self-employed then permits are valid for two years; the same applies to family joining the visa and being employed at a local employer.
Expatriates waiting for the issue of their residence working permit will not have to sign the agreement until the day that their residence card arrives. They are also temporarily allowed to work, unless the authorities of Italy issue a letter for the attention of the applicant stating otherwise, of which a copy must also be sent to the employer also.
Work permits are position specific in Italy with any change to the employee’s position needing to be reported to immigration. Should the job be lost and the expatriate or employee made redundant the residence-working permit will not be automatically revoked. Instead, register as being unemployed where the expatriate can then stay in the country for as long as the permit allows.
Work Permits for Skilled Workers in Italy
Highly or extremely skilled and qualified expatriates will usually have specific requirements to fulfil, this includes executives and specialised staff who work for large companies with headquarters in Italy. This permit also covers academics, artists, athletes, translators, film and TV or expatriates working in opera and theatre. Under the majority of circumstances, these expatriates will receive their documentation before actually entering Italy itself.
Always remember that work permits and the requirements for the permits are subject to change at extremely short notice…
For more information on Italian Payroll, Working in Italy or Contracting in Europe visit the Euro Accountancy & Finance Services website.
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