In short. You need an immigration lawyer in Italy, or a law firm, when there is an appeal to be filed, a refusal or revocation to challenge, or proceedings before a judge. For routine procedures, such as applications, renewals and documents, specialist administrative assistance is often enough. SH Immigration Specialists, in Bologna and online, is not a law firm: it is an agency that handles administrative procedures, and legal advice, appeals and litigation are handled by lawyers who collaborate with SH Immigration Specialists.
Guide updated in October 2026.
What is the difference between a law firm and an agency for foreigners?
- Immigration law firm: it is made up of lawyers registered with the Ordine degli Avvocati (Bar Association). Only a lawyer can give legal advice, file appeals and represent the client before a judge.
- Agency for foreigners or service centre: it handles administrative procedures, i.e. filling in applications, collecting documents, the kit postale (postal application kit), booking appointments and dealing with Questure (police immigration offices), Prefetture and consulates.
Many cases start as administrative procedures and become legal matters when something goes wrong. That is why it is worth knowing from the start who will handle each stage, so that no time is lost if the case needs to move to the legal side.
When do you really need an immigration lawyer in Italy?
- refusal or revocation of the permesso di soggiorno (residence permit), the nulla osta (work/entry clearance) or the visa;
- a complex preavviso di rigetto (notice of intended refusal) that must be challenged with legal arguments: see our guide to the notice of intended refusal;
- appeals to the TAR (Regional Administrative Court) or the ordinary court;
- applications for international protection, the interview and appeals against refusal;
- expulsion or detention orders;
- refusal of citizenship or excessive delays in the decision;
- companies hiring foreign workers whose irregular situations need to be regularised.
When is administrative assistance enough?
- ordinary renewal of the residence permit; see our guide to residence permit renewal;
- nulla osta applications under the Decreto Flussi (Italy’s annual work-entry quota decree);
- preparing documents for family reunification;
- applications for citizenship by residence or marriage, when the requirements are clear;
- translations, legalisations and apostilles of certificates.
How do you choose who to turn to?
- Check that whoever gives legal advice is registered with the Bar Association: lawyers’ registers are public and can be consulted on the Bar Associations’ websites.
- Ask for a written quote setting out the services included and the costs.
- Be wary of anyone who guarantees the outcome or fixed timescales: decisions rest with Questure, Prefetture, consulates and judges.
- Check the language: being able to explain your situation in your own language reduces mistakes.
- Prefer someone who follows the whole case, from the application to any appeal, directly or together with qualified lawyers.
How does SH Immigration Specialists work?
SH Immigration Specialists is a brand of SH Group based in Bologna, at Viale Pietro Pietramellara 33, and assists clients in person, online throughout Italy and from abroad. It is not a law firm: it is an agency providing administrative immigration assistance.
- Administrative side: a team of specialists, most of them law graduates, prepares applications, renewals, nulla osta and documents.
- Legal side: legal advice, appeals and litigation are handled by lawyers who collaborate with SH Immigration Specialists, such as Avv. Angelina Paolisso, registered with the Rome Bar Association (Ordine degli Avvocati di Roma), and Avv. Giulia Ceprini, registered with the Bologna Bar Association (Ordine degli Avvocati di Bologna).
- Other expertise: employment consultant (consulente del lavoro), accountant, sworn translations.
- Languages: Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu and Hindi.
To find out more, see our guides to an Italian visa refusal appeal and a family reunification visa refusal, and our About us page.
Frequently asked questions
Is SH Immigration Specialists a law firm?
No. SH Immigration Specialists is a brand of SH Group that handles administrative immigration procedures, such as applications, renewals, nulla osta and documents. For legal matters such as appeals and legal advice, SH Immigration Specialists works with qualified lawyers registered with the Bar Association.
How do I check that a lawyer is registered with the Bar Association?
You can consult the public register of lawyers on the website of the relevant Bar Association (Ordine degli Avvocati) or of the Consiglio Nazionale Forense, the National Bar Council. Checking registration is the first step before entrusting anyone with legal advice, an appeal or representation before a judge.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal against a refusal?
Yes. An appeal to the TAR or to the ordinary court must be filed by a lawyer, within short time limits from notification of the decision. If you receive a refusal or revocation of a residence permit, nulla osta or visa, keep the decision and seek a legal assessment straight away.
When is an agency enough instead of a lawyer?
For routine procedures, such as an ordinary residence permit renewal, a Decreto Flussi nulla osta application, family reunification documents or a citizenship application with clear requirements, specialist administrative assistance is often enough. A lawyer is needed when the case becomes contentious or goes before a judge.
Can I get assistance online or from abroad?
Yes. Many cases can be handled remotely, with documents sent by email and online meetings, even for people who are still abroad. SH Immigration Specialists assists clients in person in Bologna, online throughout Italy and from abroad, in Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu and Hindi.
Official sources
- Consiglio Nazionale Forense (National Bar Council) — register of lawyers
- Ordine degli Avvocati di Bologna (Bologna Bar Association)
Sources consulted on 15 October 2026. Registers and procedures can change: always check the current instructions of the competent office.
How can SH Immigration Specialists help?
SH Immigration Specialists helps you work out whether your case needs administrative assistance, legal assistance or both, and handles the administrative side directly: applications, renewals, nulla osta, documents, translations and apostilles. For legal matters such as appeals and legal advice, SH Immigration Specialists works with qualified lawyers. The outcome depends on the competent authorities. For an assessment, contact us.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
Do you have a case like this? Talk to a specialist consultant
In 30 minutes a specialist consultant at SH Immigration Specialists looks at your situation and tells you what to do, which documents you need and which mistakes to avoid. Online from any country or in one of our 8 offices in Italy, also in Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.
Want us to handle it for you? See our residence permit service.
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