NON-EU Professional nurses fall into the category of NON-EU workers who are not subject to annual immigration quotas. Therefore, they can apply for a work permit at any time, despite the availability of quotas, through a quota exempt procedure.
The first step of the procedure is to apply for the recognition of the professional qualification in Italy. The application is filed with the Ministry of Health. Once the profession is recognised in Italy, the Italian employer can file an online work permit application. Application can be filed also by temporary work agencies, which must submit the service agreement that they have with the private or public hospital.
Steps of the process are as follows:
- The nurse applies for the recognition of professional qualification in Italy. Applications are filed with the Ministry of health
- The employer applies for a work permit with the relevant Immigration Office in Italy
- Once the work permit is issued, the nurse applies for the work visa
- The nurse enters Italy, registers with Immigration authorities and applies for the residence permit
- The nurse registers with the relevant professional body in Italy (must pass an exam and also an Italian language test)
- The nurse can start work
The residence permit shall be issued for the duration of the work contract and can be valid up to 2 years. The permit is renewable with an in- country procedure. Change of employers are allowed but it is not possible to change field of work (the worker can only be employed in Italy as a professional nurse.
