There is good news for those with Italian ancestry who are affected by the Tajani Decree that passed as law back in May. If you have Italian descent and the hold the passport of a certain country, then you might be eligible to enter Italy on a work visa outside of the usual quotas. How to determine if you are eligible, and if this would be the best fit for your situation is what we cover in the below article.
General regulations for the work visa
Applying for an Italian work visa is a perfectly viable pathway in many circumstances, and can eventually lead to permanent residency (after five years) or even citizenship by naturalization (after ten years). It is not usually easy to obtain these visas, however. First, they are subject to a strict yearly quota (decreto flussi), which means it can be highly competitive. In certain cases, a worker might be able to apply outside of the usual quota, for instance if he or she has a high-level job and has a high salary. In these cases, the worker could apply for an EU Blue Card, which most EU member countries offer.
Finally, as of February 2024, Italy also offers a digital nomad visa, offering freelancers who work remotely and remote employees of a company to obtain a visa to work in Italy outside of the usual quota system.
New work visa requirements for those of Italian descent (certain countries only)
The new work visa pathway is promising for those with Italian ancestry who would like to work from Italy, but perhaps do not qualify for an EU Blue Card or the digital nomad visa and would otherwise be subject to the competitive yearly decreto flussi.
Citizens of the following countries with an Italian ancestor in their direct line can apply for this visa: the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Uruguay. South Africa, Mexico, Peru, and Chile had also been considered but not accepted at this point. In the future, though, more countries may be added.
The work must also be subordinate employment, or a contracted job with an Italian company. Freelance work is not considered.
How to apply
The first step is to find an Italian employer who will hire you. The employer must then submit a nulla osta (a document of “non-impediment”) before you can apply for the actual visa. Once the nulla osta has been approved, you will need to submit it, along with the following documentation for a subordinate work visa:
- Work contract
- Visa application form
- Passport photo
- Valid passport (original and copy)
- Copy of a driver’s license or other document proving residence in the consular jurisdiction
There might be further documentation required depending on the kind of work you are applying for. Please check the requirements of your local consulate.
Upon entering Italy, you will also need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno at your local Questura. This is a residence permit required for all visa types. The application for the permesso will need to be submitted within 8 days of arrival in Italy at the post office. You will then receive an appointment to present your documents at the Questura and be fingerprinted. Before the actual permesso arrives, you will receive a receipt that you can show as proof that it is in process.
A pathway to citizenship by naturalization
While the simplified work visa requirements for those with Italian ancestry does not guarantee Italian citizenship, you might be able to benefit from a fast-track path to citizenship by residency. The usual residence requirement is ten years for naturalized Italian citizenship, which is shortened to four years for EU citizens. Prior to the Tajani Decree, those with an Italian parent or grandparent could receive citizenship by naturalization after three years; now this has been shortened to two. Other requirements still need to be met, such as passing a B1 Italian language test.
Conclusion
Are you interested in applying for the work visa under these unique qualifications? Have questions about your citizenship application or eligibility requirements? Feel free to contact us at [email protected], and one our experts will be in touch to evaluate your case.
