Italy
General visa requirements for travelling to Italy. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (National Visa (Type D) - Self-Employment / Autonomous Work)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- Up to 90 days
- Fee
- EUR 116
- Validity
- 365 days
- Entry
- Multiple entry
National visa (Type D) for non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to engage in self-employment (lavoro autonomo) in Italy, including freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Subject to Decreto Flussi quotas. Applicants must demonstrate relevant qualifications, licensing (if applicable), and sufficient financial resources. The Nulla Osta for autonomous work requires demonstrating that the activity does not harm Italian workers and that sufficient resources are available.
Eligibility
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Nationality
All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals require a Type D visa for self-employment in Italy.
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Financial
Must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the activity and personal expenses.
Minimum funds: Sufficient for business activity and personal expenses
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Employment
Must have relevant qualifications and licenses for the intended activity. Subject to Decreto Flussi annual quotas.
Required status: Relevant qualifications and Nulla Osta for autonomous work
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
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Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Passport-size, white background
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, financial documentation; Minimum amount: Sufficient for activity and personal living expenses
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement or property documentation; Must cover full stay: No
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: National Visa Application Form (Self-Employment)
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Varies by consulate; Amount: EUR 116
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Professional license
Accepted licenses: Professional qualifications, licenses, or certifications required for the intended self-employed activity; Must be translated: Yes
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Business plan
Provide a business plan showing the activity, funding, market and expected costs.
Minimum investment: Sufficient to sustain activity; Must include financials: Yes
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather professional qualifications, licenses, business plan, and financial documentation. Obtain credential recognition if needed.
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Online application
Submit Nulla Osta application to the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione within Decreto Flussi deadlines.
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Appointment booking
Schedule appointment at Italian consulate/embassy.
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Document submission
Submit all documents including Nulla Osta, qualifications, and business plan.
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Fee payment
Pay approximately EUR 116.
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Biometrics
Provide fingerprints as required.
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Processing wait
Processing can take up to 90 days.
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Visa collection
Collect passport. Apply for Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days of arrival.
Work / Immigration visa (EU Blue Card Visa (Highly Qualified Workers))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- Up to 90 days
- Fee
- EUR 116
- Validity
- 730 days (2 years)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
The EU Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU workers with a higher education degree and a binding job offer or employment contract in Italy meeting minimum salary thresholds. Not subject to Decreto Flussi quotas. The minimum annual gross salary threshold is approximately 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Italy (varies annually). Allows mobility between EU member states after 12-18 months. The revised EU Blue Card Directive (2021/1883) has been transposed by Italy, expanding eligibility to include highly skilled professionals with equivalent professional experience.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not available to asylum seekers, refugees in some cases, or seasonal workers.
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Financial
Minimum annual gross salary must meet the EU Blue Card threshold, approximately 1.5 times the average national gross salary.
Minimum funds: 1.5x average national gross salary (approximately EUR 28,000-35,000)
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Employment
Must have a higher education qualification (at least 3 years of study) or equivalent professional experience (at least 5 years) in the relevant field. Must have a binding employment contract meeting minimum salary thresholds.
Required status: Higher education degree or 5 years equivalent experience, binding employment contract
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Passport-size, white background
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Employment contract and salary confirmation; Minimum amount: Met through employment contract salary
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: National Visa Application Form
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Varies by consulate; Amount: EUR 116
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Online application
Italian employer applies for Nulla Osta specifying EU Blue Card. Not subject to Decreto Flussi quotas.
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Document gathering
Collect degree certificates (with apostille/legalization), CV, employment contract, passport, and photos.
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Appointment booking
Schedule appointment at Italian consulate/embassy.
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Document submission
Submit visa application with all supporting documents and Nulla Osta.
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Fee payment
Pay approximately EUR 116.
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Biometrics
Provide fingerprints as required.
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Processing wait
Processing can take up to 90 days.
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Visa collection
Collect passport. Apply for EU Blue Card residence permit within 8 days of arrival at the Questura.
Work / Immigration visa (National Visa (Type D) - Work Visa (Subordinate Employment))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 30 days (may extend to 90 days)
- Fee
- EUR 116
- Validity
- 365 days
- Entry
- Multiple entry
National visa (Type D) for non-EU/EEA workers with subordinate employment contracts in Italy. The employer must first obtain a Nulla Osta al Lavoro (work authorization) from the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione at the local Prefettura. Work visas are subject to annual quotas set by the Decreto Flussi. For 2026-2028, nearly 500,000 work visas authorized (164,850 for 2026). Nulla Osta must be issued within 30 days of application and is valid for 6 months. Required for ALL non-EU/EEA nationals regardless of visa-free status for short stays. Within 8 days of arrival, worker must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno at the local Questura.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals require a Type D visa for employment in Italy, regardless of short-stay visa-free status.
-
Employment
Must have a valid Nulla Osta al Lavoro (work authorization) obtained by the Italian employer from the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione. Subject to annual quota limits under the Decreto Flussi. Some categories (highly skilled workers, intra-company transfers, researchers) may be exempt from quotas.
Required status: Nulla Osta al Lavoro from employer
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Criminal record
Must have no criminal record that would preclude entry. Clean criminal background may be verified during the Nulla Osta process.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Passport-size, white background
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Employment contract, salary confirmation; Minimum amount: Employment contract and salary confirmation typically satisfy this requirement
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement or employer-provided accommodation documentation; Must cover full stay: No
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: National Visa Application Form (Work)
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Varies by consulate; Amount: EUR 116 (approximately USD 134.80)
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Online application
The Italian employer applies for the Nulla Osta al Lavoro (work authorization) at the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione of the local Prefettura where the worker will reside. Application submitted online via the Ministry of Interior portal. Must be done within Decreto Flussi quota deadlines.
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Document gathering
Once Nulla Osta is issued, gather passport, photos, work contract, accommodation proof, and other supporting documents. The Nulla Osta is valid for 6 months.
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Appointment booking
Schedule appointment at the Italian consulate/embassy in your jurisdiction.
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Fee payment
Pay approximately EUR 116 visa fee.
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Document submission
Submit visa application with Nulla Osta, work contract, and all supporting documents at the consulate.
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Biometrics
Provide fingerprints as required since January 2025. US, Canadian, Japanese, and UK citizens may be exempt.
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Processing wait
Processing time typically 2-4 weeks for work visas with approved Nulla Osta. Can extend to 90 days in complex cases.
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Visa collection
Collect passport with Type D work visa. Must enter Italy within 6 months of Nulla Osta issuance. Within 8 days of arrival, apply for Permesso di Soggiorno at the local Questura.