Intra Company Transfer Work Permit

The Intra Company Transfer Wrok Permit in Italy and its Quota system:

Non-EU nationals must obtain a work permit (Nulla Osta) to legally work in Italy. Work permits in Italy generally follow an annual quota system set by the Italian government through the Decreto Flussi. This decree establishes the maximum number of permits for each worker category and specifies when applications can be submitted. Authorities typically issue permits on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, certain categories of work permits, such as the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) permit and the EU Blue Card, are exceptions to the quota system. The authorities can issue these permits at any time of the year, regardless of the annual limits.

The Intra Company Transfer (ICT)

Certain categories of foreign workers are exempt from the annual immigration quotas. These include individuals assigned under intra-company transfers (ICT), highly qualified professionals, executives or managerial staff seconded to the Italian branch of a foreign company, university lecturers and professors, translators and interpreters, professional nurses, researchers, and others.

Italian immigration law provides two types of ICT work permits for non-EU nationals temporarily transferred to Italy. Under both schemes, assignees maintain their employment relationship with their home country employer and are not locally hired in Italy.

There are two types of ICT work permits in Italy: 

1. National ICT 
2. EU ICT  

1. Who is eligible for the National Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit? 

The authorities issue the standard ICT work permit to executives, senior managers, and specialists transferring to an Italian branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their current employer. The host and sending companies must belong to the same corporate group or a joint venture.

This permit is available to: 

• Specialized staff or managers employed by companies with headquarters or subsidiaries in Italy; 
• Personnel working at representative offices of foreign companies based in WTO member countries; 
• Managers of corporate headquarters located in Italy for Italian or EU companies. 

Assignments can last for up to five years. The authorities issue the corresponding residence permit under the category Permesso di soggiorno per casi particolari. 

2. Who is eligible for EU Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit? 

This permit applies to managers, specialists, and trainees employed by a non-EU company for at least three months before being transferred to an affiliated entity in Italy (Articles 27-quinquies and 27-sexies of the Italian Immigration Law).
Key features include: 

• A maximum stay of 3 years for managers and specialists, and 1 year for trainees; 
• It also applies to holders of an ICT permit issued by another EU member state who are temporarily transferred to a related company in Italy; 
• In such cases, no visa is required for entry into Italy unless the assignment exceeds 90 days within a 180-day period. 

The authorities issue residence permits in these cases under the names Permesso di soggiorno ICT and Permesso di soggiorno mobile ICT.

Application Procedure

While minor variations may apply depending on the category, the basic steps for obtaining an ICT work permit are:

• Work Permit (Nulla Osta) 
  Submitted online by the Italian host company to the local Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione). 
• Visa Application (Visto Lavoro) 
  Once the Nulla Osta is approved, the assignee must apply for a visa at the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over their residence. 
• Entry into Italy and residence permit application 
  Within 8 days of arrival, the worker must appear at the Immigration Office to sign the contract of stay (contratto di soggiorno) and/or file the residence permit application. 
• Issuance of Residence Permit 
  The local police (Questura) will issue a residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno) valid for up to two years, depending on the assignment.

Our Services for ICT Residence Permit 

We provide comprehensive support throughout the ICT work permit process, from the submission of the Nulla Osta to the final collection of the residence permit. Through our nationwide network of over 100 local consultants, we offer in-person assistance in all major cities and ensure your application is complete, accurate, and well-presented to maximize approval chances.

Get in Touch for an Initial Consultation 

If you’re seeking expert support with your immigration process in Italy, fill out our online form to request an initial consultation. One of our immigration consultants will contact you shortly via email. Please note that for complex cases, a consultation fee may apply for the initial assessment and to schedule a call with one of our specialists.

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