Starting at 9.00 AM on 27 March 2023, all applications for seasonal or nonseasonal work can be submitted according to Decreto Flussi program. Non-EU nationals can work in Italy under the employer-specified program known as “Lavoro Subordinato”. Citizens of non-EU countries can access the Italian labor market if already legally residing in Italy and, therefore, in possession of a regular residence permit, subject to signing a residence contract with the employer and in the presence of all the conditions of law; or, if coming from abroad, within the quotas established by the so-called Flow Decree.
Applying for a seasonal work visa
For lavoro stagionale (seasonal work), the Decreto Flussi 2023 sets quota of a total of 44,000 workers. Of these, 22,000 are intended for seasonal agricultural work only. On the other hand, 1,500 will be able to work for a period of three years in the framework of a multi-annual seasonal job. To apply for a seasonal work visa, the requirements may vary depending on the category of the worker concerned. For seasonal workers, you will need a job offer from an Italian agricultural company or an employer in the tourism-hotel sector. The exemplary titles of jobs in the agri-food industry are:
- Agronomist
- Agrotechnician
- Laboratory analyst of the agri-food industry
- Poultry farmer
- Agri-food technician
- Cellarman –
- Direct farmer
- Farm operator (professional agricultural entrepreneur)
- The driver of food processing plants
- The driver of agricultural machinery
- Environmental Consultant
- Oenologist
- Fruit grower – Frantoiano
- Specialized agricultural worker (farm worker)
- Horticulturist
- Pruner
Applying for a nonseasonal work visa
For lavoro subordinato non stagionale (non-seasonal salaried work) and lavoro autonomo (self-employment), the Decreto Flussi 2023 sets a total quota of 30,105 workers. The job sectors are road transport, construction, and tourism. For non-seasonal workers, you will need to prove that you have specific expertise and that you will be hired for work that cannot be done by an Italian or EU worker. You will also need to prove that you have valid health insurance and that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself in Italy.
Decreto Flussi eligible countries
The eligible countries for Decreto Flussi 2023 work visa program are:
- Albania,
- Algeria,
- Bangladesh,
- Bosnia-Herzegovina,
- Korea (Republic of Korea),
- Ivory Coast,
- Egypt,
- El Salvador,
- Ethiopia,
- Philippines,
- Gambia,
- Georgia,
- Ghana,
- Japan,
- Guatemala,
- India,
- Kosovo,
- Mali,
- Morocco,
- Mauritius,
- Moldova,
- Montenegro,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Pakistan,
- Peru,
- The Republic of North Macedonia,
- Senegal,
- Serbia,
- Sri Lanka,
- Sudan,
- Tunisia,
- Ukraine.
Steps for applying for Italy’s work visa
If you want to apply for a work visa in Italy under the Decreto Flussi, here is a step-by-step guide to help you:
Eligibility check process
You should, first of all, check the eligibility criteria for the visa category you wish to apply for and make sure you have the required documents.
Finding a job in Italy
As a next step, you need to find an Italian employer willing to hire you and provide you with a job offer. This offer must be included in your visa application. This is the core requirement of your intended work visa. Here are some private and official job portals to apply for a farm worker job for a work visa:
- ClicLavoro
- Ministry of labor and social policies
- Jooble.org
- Job by doo
- Torino Comune
- Informagiovani
- Bakeca
- SeasonWorkers (In the search category, please write seasonal jobs in Italy.)
- Indeed (In the search category, please write seasonal jobs in Italy.)
- JustLanded (In the search category, please write seasonal jobs in Italy.)
- AnyworkAnywhere (In the search category, please write seasonal jobs in Italy.)
- Transitionsabroad (In the search category, please write seasonal jobs in Italy.)
Applying for a work permit from the employer
The Italian employer must request a work permit from the competent Italian authorities for the category of the worker concerned.
Get health insurance
You must take out health insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
Work visa documents preparation
You will need to prepare a series of documents for your visa application, such as your passport, photo ID, copy of your employment contract, proof of your health insurance, criminal record certificate, etc.
Getting a work visa in the country of origin
Once you have all the necessary documents, you can submit your visa application to the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. The visa process may take several weeks or months for the Italian authorities to review your application and make a decision.
How to convert a residence permit into a work permit?
The conversion of residence permits into subordinate work requires the presence of the residence contract proposal signed by the employer at the time of the summons at the Sportello Unico. This proposal must commit the employer to hire the non-EU foreign worker. Subsequently, the Mandatory Hiring Communication will be generated by the system and sent electronically to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies.