In short. If you live outside Italy and want to move there for work, study or family, you normally need a national visa (type D) from the Italian embassy or consulate in your country and, after you arrive, a residence permit. A tourist visa does not allow you to work and normally cannot be converted into a work permit. SH assists you online from abroad: we work out which route is possible, prepare the documents and follow you through the first steps in Italy. We cannot guarantee visas or quotas: consulates and Italian authorities decide.
How to enter Italy for stays of more than 90 days
For stays longer than 90 days every non-EU citizen needs a national visa (type D), requested at the Italian embassy or consulate competent for the country where you legally live. The application starts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official portal Visto per l’Italia; more information is on the Farnesina page on consular services and visas. For work and family reasons the visa is preceded by a clearance (nulla osta) issued in Italy, and after you enter Italy you apply for the residence permit. Costs, documents and timing are in our guide to the Italian entry visa; for help with the application see entry visa assistance.
The main routes to Italy
| Reason for entry | Who starts the procedure, and where to read more |
|---|---|
| Employment and seasonal work (Decreto Flussi) | Your employer in Italy requests the work clearance; you then apply for the visa at the consulate. See: Decreto Flussi application · dates and click days |
| Highly qualified workers (EU Blue Card) | Your employer, through a dedicated procedure, outside the quotas. See: EU Blue Card in Italy |
| Family reunification | Your family member already in Italy requests the clearance; you then apply for the visa. See: Family reunification · accompanying family members |
| Study | You, with enrolment or pre-enrolment in a course. See: Study visa Italy · Universitaly |
| Scientific research | A recognised research body, under a hosting agreement. See: Research visa Italy |
| Self-employment, digital nomads, elective residence, investors | You, depending on activity and income requirements. See: Self-employment · Digital nomads · Elective residence · Investor visa |
Tourism, visits and business trips require a short-stay visa (type C), which does not allow you to work. If you need to invite someone or must provide a guarantee, see invitation letter, health insurance and bank guarantee.
Decreto Flussi from abroad: what you can and cannot do
If you are abroad you cannot file the clearance application yourself: the employer in Italy files it, within the windows set by the decree. You come in afterwards: once the clearance has been issued, you apply for the visa at the consulate. If the clearance contains errors, see how to get it corrected.
Beware of scams. No one can guarantee you a quota or a job, and no agency can obtain a clearance in exchange for more money. Before paying anyone, check the official information on the Ministry of the Interior website. SH does not sell quotas or job offers.
Documents to prepare from abroad
Foreign certificates usually need to be translated and legalised or apostilled: see apostille and legalisation of foreign documents. Practical rules change from country to country: we have dedicated guides to the Italy visa from Morocco and the Italy visa from Cuba.
After you arrive in Italy
With a type D visa you must apply for the residence permit within eight working days of entering Italy; with a work visa you also sign the stay contract (contratto di soggiorno). For short stays of under 90 days you may instead need the declaration of presence. Next steps: registering your residence, your Italian tax code and the health card.
What we do for you from abroad
- Video consultation in Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish, Hindi and Urdu: we work out which route is possible (work, family, study, other) and which documents you need.
- Document review before you submit the application, including the translations and legalisations required.
- Coordination with people in Italy: the employer or family member who has to start the procedure.
- After a refusal: we explain your options; appeals, which have short deadlines, are handled by the lawyers on our team.
SH Immigration Specialists is not a law firm. We do not guarantee visas, quotas or hiring and we do not do job placement: decisions belong to consulates, Immigration Desks and Questure. Are you an employer who wants to hire from abroad? See hiring foreign workers in Italy. Not sure whether you need a lawyer or an agency? Read immigration law firm or agency in Italy.
Book an online consultation
Write to us on WhatsApp or by email, or use the booking page, and send the documents you have: we arrange a video call with a specialist consultant and, if needed, with a lawyer from our team. Standard consultation €199, priority consultation €249 (VAT included).
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Decreto Flussi myself from abroad?
No. The work clearance (nulla osta) application is filed by the employer in Italy on the Ministry of the Interior’s portal. You prepare your documents and, once the clearance has been issued, apply for the visa at the consulate. Be wary of anyone who asks for money to “guarantee” you a place in the quotas.
Can I enter Italy on a tourist visa and then look for a job?
Normally not. A tourist visa is a short-stay (type C) visa: it does not allow you to work and normally cannot be converted into a residence permit for work. To work you need a national work visa, usually preceded by the clearance issued by the Immigration Desk (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione).
How long does it take to get the visa?
It depends on the type of visa, the consulate and the clearance that comes before the visa. Official deadlines and real waiting times can differ: our guide to the Italian entry visa has the current timing. After reviewing your case we give you a realistic estimate.
My visa was refused: what can I do?
A refusal must be reasoned and communicated in writing. You can appeal: for family visas the ordinary court decides, for the others the administrative court, within short deadlines. Send us the decision as soon as you receive it: we will tell you whether an appeal or a new application with corrected documents makes more sense. See Italian visa refusal: how to appeal. Appeals are handled by the lawyers on our team.
Can you find me a job in Italy?
No. We do not do job placement and we do not sell job offers. We can help with the paperwork once you already have an employer willing to hire you, or with family reunification, study and other routes of entry.
I have Italian ancestors: do I need a visa?
In that case the route may be the recognition of Italian citizenship rather than a visa. The rules changed in 2025 and must be checked case by case: see Italian citizenship by descent.
Which languages do you speak?
Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish, Hindi and Urdu. Tell us which one you prefer when you write to us.
How do I pay from abroad, and how much does it cost?
Payment is online by card through Stripe. The standard consultation costs €199 (30 minutes, appointment within 5 working days). The priority consultation costs €249 (45 minutes, same-day appointment, documents reviewed beforehand, written summary and 7 days of WhatsApp support; if you hire us, the €249 is credited toward our quote). Prices include VAT.
See also: immigration lawyer in Italy · hiring foreign workers · contact.
The information on this page is general and does not replace an individual assessment. Immigration rules and procedures change, and the outcome of an application depends on the competent authorities.