Internships in Italy: About Internship Visa and Professional Training Visa
The ministry has set a limit of 15,000 entrances from abroad to participate in professional training programs or internships in Italy for the years 2023-2025.
7,500 visas are available to participate in professional training courses and 7,500 are reserved to internships.
Professional training courses are defined as courses finalised to obtain a professional qualification or a certification of skills. They last no more than 24 months and are organised by accredited bodies according to regional rules. University courses are not included.
Internships are short professional experiences in firms or public organizations aimed at finalising a professional path commenced in the country of provenance, based on a convention between an accredited organization, which operates as an intermediary (such as Centres for Employment, Universities, scholar institutions, public centres of vocational training, etc.) and the public or private hosting employer. The internship project must obtain the regional approval.
To apply for the internship/professional training visa, it is not necessary to obtain a work permit. The application is filed directly at the consulate, by submitting the approved internship program (for internships) or proof on enrolment in an accredited professional training course.
Interestingly, these permits can be converted into permits for work without being subject to the quota limits.
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