IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Italy has set new work permit quotas, opening up spots for 17,850 non-EU nationals to work in the country.

What does the change mean? Non-EU nationals can now apply for the work permits in specified areas.

  • Implementation timeframe: The application period opened Dec. 30, 2014 and runs until Aug. 30, 2015.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
  • Who is affected: Employers looking to hire non-EU nationals in specified areas and autonomous workers (such as freelancers and entrepreneurs) who want to work in Italy.
  • Impact on processing times: There should be no significant impact on processing times.
  • Business impact: The new quotas should help some employers in Italy meet business needs by opening up slots for non-EU nationals to work in Italy in specified areas.
  • Next steps: Applications can be submitted online at https://nullaostalavoro.interno.it.

Background: The Italian government regularly sets work permit quotas in December. The government recently set new quotas for work permits, opening up spots for 17,850 non-EU nationals to work in the country (including 2,000 spots already reserved for the Milan Expo 2015). Compared to last year, there is a slight decrease in the overall number of work permits that will be available.

A total of 2,400 work permits will be available for freelancers; officers or owners of non-cooperative companies; internationally known artists; entrepreneurs whose activity benefits the Italian economy; and people interested in creating innovative start-up companies (as provided for in law n. 221, which took effect Dec. 17). One thousand permits will be available for non-EU nationals who have completed study in courses in their home countries. One hundred spots will be reserved for people of Italian origin who have at least one Italian parent currently residing in Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela or Brazil.

An additional 12,350 slots will be open for those converting existing permits into work permits. Of the additional slots, 6,000 will be for those converting study or training permits to work permits; 1,050 will be for converting study or training permits to autonomous work permits; 4,050 will be for conversion of seasonal work permits; 1,000 will be for conversion of EC long-term residence permits issued by another EU country into an Italian subordinate work permit; and 250 will be for EC long-term residence permits issued by another EU country into an Italian autonomous work permit.

BAL Analysis: Businesses should be cognizant of the new spots for non-EU nationals applying for work permits. To the extent that the new quotas can benefit their business needs, they should take advantage of the opportunity to bring non-EU nationals to Italy to work in the areas specified above.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Italy. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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