The steps of the case
- 1
Choosing the type of entry
Together we work out the right reason: employed work, self-employment, family or study. The visa and the documents depend on it.
- 2
Clearance, if needed
For employed work and family reunification the clearance (nulla osta) of the One-Stop Shop for Immigration (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) is needed first. We prepare the application with the employer or with the family member in Italy.
- 3
Visa at the consulate
We tell you which documents to bring to the Italian embassy or consulate in your country for the entry visa.
- 4
Arrival and the first 8 days
The residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) must be requested within 8 working days of entry. We follow you at the One-Stop Shop or with the postal kit (kit postale), depending on the case.
- 5
Permit, tax code and integration agreement
We explain the integration agreement, the tax code (codice fiscale) assigned during the procedure and the next steps: residence, doctor, work.
How you enter Italy for the first time
To enter Italy for a long stay you need an entry visa issued by the Italian embassy or consulate in your country. The type of visa depends on the reason: employed work, self-employment, family, study.
For some reasons, before the visa, you need a clearance (nulla osta) from the One-Stop Shop for Immigration of the Prefecture (Prefettura):
- Employed work: the clearance is requested by the employer, usually under the flows decree.
- Family reunification: the clearance is requested by the family member who already lives in Italy.
For study and self-employment the requirements are different and are checked mainly with the consulate.
The first 8 days in Italy
Within 8 working days of entry you must apply for the residence permit (Art. 5 Legislative Decree 286/1998). The route changes according to the visa:
- if you entered with a clearance for work, you go to the One-Stop Shop of the Prefecture to sign the residence contract and start the permit;
- if you entered for family reunification, you go to the One-Stop Shop to start the permit for family reasons;
- in other cases the application is made with the postal kit at a Sportello Amico counter of Poste.
With the receipt of the application you can stay in Italy while you wait for the permit.
Integration agreement and tax code
If you are over 16 and enter for the first time, when you apply for the permit you sign the integration agreement (Art. 4-bis Legislative Decree 286/1998). It includes commitments such as learning Italian and knowing the principles of civic life in Italy.
The tax code (codice fiscale) is assigned to you during the procedure. If you enter with a clearance for work or family, the One-Stop Shop assigns it, first in a provisional numeric form and then definitively with the permit. In other cases the Questura assigns it.
Common mistakes
- Entering with a visa for a different reason from what you want to do in Italy.
- Going over the 8 working days for the permit application.
- Not going to the One-Stop Shop after entering with a clearance.
- Foreign documents without translation and legalisation when they are needed.
How we help you
We help you choose the right route before you leave, prepare the clearance application with the employer or the family member and follow you on arrival until you get the residence permit.
- First consultation: 60 €, about 30 minutes, in the office or online on WhatsApp: you can also have it from abroad.
- Sofia, the office’s assistant, answers on WhatsApp in 8 languages and books your appointment: use the booking button on this page.
What to bring to the consultation
- Valid passport
- Clearance from the One-Stop Shop (for employed work or family reunification)
- Entry visa
- Contract offer or work contract, or family documents or proof of enrolment in study
- Declaration of hospitality or rental contract in Italy
- Passport-size photographs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a visa and a residence permit?+
The visa is issued by the Italian consulate in your country and lets you in. The permit is issued by the police immigration office (Questura) in Italy and lets you stay.
How soon must I apply for the permit after arriving?+
Within 8 working days of entry. Sundays and public holidays do not count.
What is the integration agreement?+
People over 16 who enter Italy for the first time sign it when they apply for the permit. It includes commitments, such as learning Italian and knowing the rules of civic life.
How do I get a tax code as soon as I arrive?+
If you enter with a clearance for work or family, the One-Stop Shop assigns it, first as a provisional numeric code. Otherwise the Questura assigns it with the permit.
Can I enter with a tourist visa and then change permit?+
As a rule no: a tourist visa cannot be converted into a work permit. We check your case before you leave.