Archivio News


  • October 18, 2011
    North Africa: Fingerprints necessary for Short Term Visas (Business – Tourism)

    The Italian Consulates in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, starting from October 11,  request that fingerprints must  be carried for any individuals applying for a Short Term Schengen Visa (max 90 days for Business and Tourism).  This will allow the improvement of border controls and will expedite the issuance of future visas for the people already registered with the Schengen Visa Database (VIS).
    It is expected to have this requirement enforced in  other Consulates in the Schengen Area within the next 2 years. 



  • August 31, 2011
    Special Quotas announced for internships and training programs
    For non EU nationals that want to come to Italy to learn a trade, the government has announced 5,000 work quotas for those that want to participate in a training course. The course must be previously accredited, for a maximum of 2 years, with the applicant receiving a certificate at the completion of the course. An additional 5,000 quotas are available for internships that must be approved by the Region where the internship will take place. In either case, the applicant must file an application at the Italian Consulate abroad with the necessary documentation as stated above. Upon entry into Italy with the visa, a permit of stay for studies will be issued. Upon completion of the training/internship, it may be possible to convert the study permit into a full time subordinate work permit of stay, granted the applicant finds a sponsor and that a conversion quota is available at that time.

  • August 1, 2011
    New work quotas announced
    1,300 work quotas left over from last year have been re-issued and available for the taking.  These are quotas to convert a currently valid permit of stay into one for subordinate work:  597 quotas to convert a  permit of stay for study or internship; 571 quotas to convert a permit of stay for seasonal work; 99 quotas to convert a long term permit of stay from another EU country; and 5 quotas to convert a long term permit of stay from another EU country into autonomous work.  Preference is given to those with a seasonal work permit ready to expire based on the Ministry of Labor’s statement “There are workers already present that could find themselves in risk regarding both their immigration status as well as work.”

  • July 8, 2011
    Long term visa fee has increased
    Starting July 1st, the fee for applying for a long term (more than 90 day) visa at the Italian Consulates has increased from 90 to 105 euro. Tourist visas for less than 90 days cost 35 or 60 euro depending on age of the applicant and nationality, whereas visas for less than 90 days are free for children under 6, students, scholars and researchers. The fee must be paid in its equivalent in local currency of the Consulate.

  • June 15, 2011
    Summer Holidays - possible delays and travel restrictions
    As the summer holidays approach, please be aware that immigration processing of work permits and permits of stay normally are delayed, as well as the issuance of visas at the Italian Consulates abroad. Therefore, it is best to plan in advance and also be ready for some additional delays in the processing of any immigration documents. Also, for families with first permit of stay applications pending for family cohesion, or anyone with permit of stay renewal applications pending, it is prohibited to travel to or even through Schengen countries so arrange travel plans accordingly.

  • April 11, 2011
    Special Emergency Temporary Permits of Stay for North African Nationals
    With the increasing problem of illegal immigrants landing on the Italian island of Lampedusa, Prime Minister Berlusconi took advantage of a law regarding the issuance of emergency temporary permits of stay. Pursuant to the law, permits of stay can be issued in cases of war, humanitarian reasons, natural disasters and other notable events for those coming from non EU countries. For North African nationals that have arrived in Italy between Jan. 1 and April 5, permits of stay will be issued that have a duration of 6 months. Excluded from receiving the permits are those who entered before 2011, are considered dangerous or with criminal records, or were previously expelled from Italy. The permits must be requested by April 15th at the Questura (main police station) and grants the holder the possibility to also travel throughout the Schengen area. Some countries like France and Germany as well as the EU commission have raised concerns about the validity of these permits in the Schengen area.

  • March 18, 2011
    Seasonal work quotas available
    Those wanting to work in the farm, hotel or tourism industries may apply for one of the 60,000 work quotas by filing online with the Ministry of the Interior starting March 22nd.  The number of quotas is sufficiently high to guarantee the entrance of all those that apply.  Considering it takes at least one month for the quota to be issued, those needing workers immediately should file the application on March 22nd.  Quotas are limited to the following nationalities: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Philippines, Kosovo, Croatia, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Gambia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Albania, Morocco, Moldavia and Egypt.  The request can be a multiple year request, so that in the following years the employer can have the employee return without the need for a new quota.

  • February 25, 2011
    Seasonal work quotas announced
    The Italian government has announced the availability of 60,000 quotas for seasonal workers needed for the agriculture and tourism industries. Foreigners that have worked in the past 2 years as seasonal workers will have a fast track means to return to Italy without the need for a quota application. Yet to be announced the date that applications must be filed.

  • January 28, 2011
    Taiwan nationals no longer need visas for short stays
    As of January 11, 2011, citizens of Taiwan no longer require a visa when visiting the Schengen area countries for a stay up to 90 days per semester on the condition that the passport must state the number of their personal identity card.

  • January 5, 2011
    Work Quotas – Dates set for filing applications
    On January 31st starting at 8:00 am, it will be possible to file an application for a work quota.  The first day is reserved for nationals from Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Ghana, Morocco, Moldavia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, India, Peru, Ukraine, Nigeria and Gambia.  On February 2nd , applications can be filed for babysitters and domestic caregivers for any other nationalities. On February 3rd for those that have completed an internship or training program approved between Italy and a non EU country, for converting certain permits of stay, and for nationals from Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela and Brazil who have Italian ancestors.  While applications can be filed until June, the quotas are usually exhausted within the first few minutes if filing online.        

  • December 16, 2010
    Almost 100,000 work quotas to be issued in 2011
    The government has announced almost 50,000 quotas for citizens of the following countries that have agreements with Italy: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Ghana, Morocco, Moldavia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Srilanka, Tunisia, India, Peru, Ukraine, Nigeria and Gambia. There are also 30,000 quotas for domestic caregivers for those not belonging to the aforementioned countries. 4,000 quotas for those that have completed an internship program abroad that was approved by the Italian government. 500 quotas for citizens of Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela and Brazil of Italian ancestry. 11,000 quotas to convert a permit of stay for studies, internship, seasonal work or to holders of another EU country’s long term permit of stay into a permit of stay for subordinate work available to any nationality. 500 quotas to convert a permit of stay issued by another EU country into a permit of stay for self-employment. The applications must be filed online in February, 2011 (3 separate dates to be determined depending on type of quota requested) and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • December 14, 2010
    New work quotas to be issued in 2011
    The government has announced 50,000 quotas for citizens of the following countries that have agreements with Italy: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Ghana, Morocco, Moldavia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Srilanka and Tunisia. There are also 30,000 quotas for domestic caregivers and 5,000 quotas to convert a permit of stay for studies into a permit of stay for work available to any nationality. The applications must be filed online in February, 2011 (date to be determined) and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • December 9, 2010
    New quotas likely only for domestic care and farm help
    Roberto Maroni of the Ministry of the Interior has announced that because of the economic crisis, the government is contemplating the issuance of new work quotas next year but only for maids and elderly care assistants.  Since layoffs have also impacted foreigners in Italy, allowing the entry of more foreigners in a market already troubled would only have a negative impact on the unemployed foreigners already here.  The government will continue to also issue quotas for seasonal workers such as farmers as this system continues to work effectively.

    Italian language test for certain foreigners
    For non EU nationals in Italy that have legally resided here for 5 years, in order to apply for a long term permit of stay called “carta di soggiorno”, starting Dec. 9, 2010, they will have to  pass an Italian language test.  The foreigner must apply online with the Prefecture to take the test.  The applicant must pass the A2 language level to be able to comprehend customary phrases and expressions for everyday use.  Excluded from taking the test are children under 14 years of age, those incapable by handicap or lack of mental capacity, those who have received work permits under Art. 27 (university professors/instructors, journalists, interpreters, highly skilled workers), students who received a diploma in Italy or are enrolled in a university or masters/doctorate program, and those who have attended certain adult language courses.  Until the exam is passed, the Questura will not issue the carta di soggiorno. 
    This requirement does not apply to most other permit of stay applicants such as intra-company assignees and their family members. 


  • December 1, 2010
    Bureaucratic delays expected this holiday
    There are some serious problems that are taking place in Italy at the Prefecture which issues work permits.  The Italian government is laying off a large number of employees, and this has caused major strikes all over Italy at the Prefectures.  Based on what is happening, there is no way to know when work permits will be issued.  Also, for those that have obtained visas and are currently planning to enter Italy with them, some of the Prefectures are not issuing appointments for the employees to sign the contract of stay within 8 days, so they also cannot apply for the residence permits.  In addition, please be aware that the Italian Consulates slow down dramatically in December and this is also adding to additional delays.

  • November 29, 2010
    Bulgaria and Romanian nationals still monitored by Italian government in 2011
    The Italian government has for the fifth consecutive year decided to continue to monitor the entry of nationals from Romania and Bulgaria. There is no restriction for hiring nationals in the following industries: agriculture, tourism, hotels, domestic help, construction, metal industry, managers, seasonal workers and highly specialized personnel. All others employees are not denied access to work, but their employer must send a written request for authorization to the Prefecture which request cannot be denied. This rule only applies to first time hiring, those already employed in any industry may change employers regardless of industry or position. This will be the last time these nationals will be monitored: starting 2012 the restriction will be lifted.

  • November 4, 2010
    Italy - Unmarried natural parent of child in Italy granted stay rights
    According to Law 94 of July 15th, 2009, recently ratified, it is now possible even for an unmarried non EU parent of his or her minor child (who is legally in Italy with the other legally present parent), to apply for permission to move to Italy to live. The important requirements are child’s birth certificate, adequate housing and minimal income or financial support based on the health and social security standards

  • September 20, 2010
    Fast track procedure for intra-company assignments and highly skilled workers
    The Government approved the new procedure which can be followed for intra-company assignments and highly skilled workers. Only companies who will register with the Ministry of Interior will be entitled to follow the new procedure, so that they can avoid filing work permit applications and submitting documents previously requested.

  • September 2, 2010
    Deadline approaching for Austrian-Hungarian nationals to acquire Italian citizenship
    Pursuant to Italian Citizenship Law N. 379 of Dec. 14th 2000, those whose ancestors emigrated from the Austrian-Hungarian Territories before July 16 1920, may submit their applications within the deadline of December 20 2010. For more information, please contact us.

  • July 8, 2010
    Summer Travel Restrictions for those awaiting permesso di soggiorno
    For those waiting for their residence permit renewals, they can return to their home countries or other non EU countries (as long as a visa is not needed to enter that non EU country), but it is strictly forbidden to pass through any other Schengen country, even if a short airport layover.   It is important to travel with the postal receipts as evidence that the application was filed. For those waiting for their first residence permit to be issued for work or family as evidenced by valid visas in their passports, travel is permitted back to their home countries, and any other non EU country (as long as there is no requirement for a visa to enter that non EU country), and also Schengen as well.  It is important to travel with the postal receipts as evidence that the application was filed. For families in Italy following the family cohesion residence permit process, which means no visa in the passport, all travel is prohibited and the family members must await the issuance of the actual permit in order to leave Italy. 

  • June 21, 2010
    Italian language test mandatory for certain foreigners
    Starting December 2010, for non EU nationals seeking a long term residence permit “carta di soggiorno,” they must pass a test in the Italian language. The applicant must complete the test with 80% success in order to pass. The test will be quite basic and should not pose any difficulties to those who take it, considering the applicant must already have 5 years of legal residency in Italy and presumably an understanding of basic Italian. Excluded from taking the test are: children under 14; those with a doctor’s certificate declaring impossibility to pass the test because of medically diagnosed linguistic problems; holders of an A2 certificate of language sufficiency; anyone who obtained a diploma in middle or high school in Italy or is enrolled in a university; and managers, university professors, translators, interpreters and journalists who entered Italy with a work clearance. Those who wish to request a long term carta di soggiorno should apply as soon as possible to avoid the taking of this test.

  • May 20, 2010
    Visas now available to study in Italy
    INon EU nationals living abroad that wish to enroll at an Italian University should go to their respective Italian Consulate to request a visa application.  Each Consulate has a limited number of visas available and separate deadlines so it is best to apply as soon as possible.  Applications will close in July, and the list of visas granted will be published in August to begin the school year in September.  Non EU nationals already residents in Italy as well as EU nationals can enroll directly with the University.

  • April 20, 2010
    2010 Work Quotas announced
    The work quotas have been announced for non EU workers in 3 separate categories:
    Seasonal workers such as farmers can apply for one of the 80,000 quotas if of one of the following nationalities: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Tunisia, Albania, Morocco, Moldavia and Egypt. All other nationalities as well, but only if the worker held a seasonal work residence permit in 2007, 2008 or 2009. The quotas will be divided among the various regions in Italy and announced in the Official Gazette on April 21st and applications can be filed online starting that date.
    Autonomous workerscan apply for one of the 4,000 quotas set aside for entrepreneurs who intend to develop the Italian economy, autonomous workers, partners and administrators of Italian corporations or partnerships, internationally renowned and highly qualified artists, or artisans that financially contribute to the Italian market. The request is filed directly with the local police authority “Questura”. Within these quotas, there is set aside up to 1,500 quotas to convert a residence permit for studies or training into autonomous work as well as 1,000 quotas reserved for Libyan nationals. These must be filed online starting April 21st.
    Foreign-trained workers     can apply for one of 2,000 quotas if they have been involved in a training or internship program abroad on behalf of an Italian entity or association approved by the government. These must be filed online starting April 21st.

  • April 7, 2010
    Those awaiting issuance of their residence permits can finally travel throughout Schengen
    A new European regulation is in effect granting travel throughout the Schengen* area for certain visa holders. Until yesterday, those who entered Italy with a long term (over 3 months) visa for work or family and applied for a residence permit at the post office were not able to go to other Schengen countries with the postal receipt. They were restricted to wait until the residence permit was issued, which could take from 3-6 months, sometimes even more than a year. With the new European rule, Schengen travel is now allowed relieving this problem of being “stuck” in Italy without the legal possibility of travelling to nearby countries, or even being allowed to have a layover in a Schengen country if you wanted to go back to your home country. Now, residence permit applicants can go to any other Schengen country for up to 90 days in each 180 day period. (Note: The rule remains unchanged for family members that have entered Italy as tourists and are completing their immigration formalities in country – they cannot leave Italy at all until the residence permit is issued). Schengen* area - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta and Switzerland.

  • March 4, 2010
    Italian Consulates limiting business and tourist visas
    It has come to our attention that the Italian Consulates abroad are becoming more rigid in the issuance of tourist and/or business visas.  While in the past, it was simple to receive a 90-day business or tourist visa, the Consulates are now starting to issue shorter term visas.  There is no general standard as each Consulate has discretionary powers.  Applying for a 90-day tourist or business visa no longer guarantees it will be issued, thus it is important to be forewarned before applying.  

  • February 24, 2010
    The rules regarding the issuance of work quotas have been revised and the Italian government is planning the issuance of as many as 150,000 work quotas this year.
    There was a problem with the prior legislation as written. The number of quotas was to be determined in 3-year terms, the last one having been drafted for years 2004-2006. Since no quotas were planned for the 2007-2009 term, an annual “emergency” quota procedure was created resulting in 170,000 quotas in 2007 and 150,000 quotas in 2008 with zero quotas in 2009. Since there were no quotas in 2009, there could have been no quotas issued in 2010 as the new quotas during the emergency period are limited to the number issued for the prior year. To bypass this problem, the government finally amended the quota laws, so that new quotas can be issued based on the latest written decree (thus, referring to 150,000 quotas in 2008). Since elections are taking place in March and immigration is a hot topic, these quotas will not be issued until sometime in April or May of 2010 . 

  • January 28,  2010
    Work quotas hopefully to be issued in spring 2010
    While not yet confirmed, the Italian government is already discussing the issuance of 150,000 work quotas in 2010 and immigration law reform.  This is important news as the current immigration laws as written have prevented the government form clearly issuing the annual quotas since 2006 other than in an emergency ad hoc manner, with zero quotas being issued in 2009. 

  • December 11, 2009
    Bulgaria and Romanian nationals still monitored by Italian government in 2010
    The Italian government has for the fourth consecutive year decided to continue to monitor the entry of nationals from Romania and Bulgaria.  There is no restriction for hiring nationals in the following industries: agriculture, tourism, hotels, domestic help, construction, metal industry, managers, seasonal workers and highly specialized personnel.   All others employees are not denied access to work, but their employer must send a written request for authorization to the Prefecture which request cannot be denied.  This rule only applies to first time hiring, those already employed in any industry may change employers regardless of industry or position.



  • October 13, 2009
    Italian job market opens up to all foreign students who also earn post graduate degrees in Italy
    The Italian government has extended the possibility of working in Italy also to foreigners who have obtained a Master’s, Doctorate or other post degree specialization. It has become easier in Italy to convert a residence permit for studies into one for work purposes with no need for a work quota. Until now, only foreign students who obtained a preliminary degree from an Italian university could use this conversion process. All others had to wait for the quotas to be issued and hope that one would remain. Now the possibility exists for post graduate students to also convert their residence permits for studies into work using a fast track procedure. Those that have obtained one of the following credentials can take part: 3 year degree, specialization/magistrate degree, 1 or 2 year specialization diploma, 3 year Doctorate in research, or first and second level Master’s.

  • New penalties for evading Italian Immigration Laws
    The Italian government has increased the penalties for non European nationals that overstay their visits in Italy. The penalties apply to anyone that breaks the law: those that need a visa to enter Italy and remain beyond the duration of the visa; those that do not need a visa to enter Italy as tourists or business visitors and stay for over 90 days; and also those that have a valid residence permit that has expired and they fail to renew. All are subject to a sanction with fine ranging between 5.000 and 10.000 Euro. Please note that previous sanctions will continue to be applied, i.e., the foreigners can be subject to expulsion and would be "blacklisted" under the Schengen rules, thus being prevented to re-enter the Schengen area for 5 years.

  • New rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by marriage
    The length of time needed before one can apply for Italian citizenship as the spouse of an Italian has been increased. Rather than 6 months, the applicant must be a resident of Italy for 2 years before filing the citizenship application, or just 1 year if there are children (natural or adopted). If, after the application is filed, the marriage ends in divorce or separation, then the Prefecture will reject the application as the marriage must remain intact until the citizenship is granted by the Ministry of the Interior.

  • A major change has been announced by the Italian government that will implement what should be a simplified procedure for work permit applications under art. 27 letter a (intra company) and letter g (highly skilled workers).

    Under the new procedure, a company which executes a "protocollo d'intesa" or pre-approved validation with the Ministry of Interior can avoid the procedure of submitting the documents which until now were to be submitted to the immigration office.  The company will still need to file an application electronically, but then the application will only need to obtain a clearance from the Police and then be forwarded directly to the relevant Italian Consulate will be able to issue the visa.  Signing of the contract of stay upon entry into Italy and application of the residence permit application apparently remain unchanged.

    The new procedure – for which the Ministry still needs to approve all application forms – should benefit those companies which have several applications submitted every year.