Subordinate Work Visa (Type D)
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Subordinate Work Visa (Type D)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

60-90 days

Application Fee

50 EUR

Stay Duration

Tied to employment contract

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Remote Work

Not Required

Overview

Long-stay national visa for employment with an Italian employer. Requires job offer and nulla osta approval from Italian labor authorities. For salaried positions with fixed employment.

The Subordinate Work Visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to work as employees in Italy. The employer must obtain approval from the Sportello Unico Immigrazione (SUI) before the applicant can apply for the visa. This visa is tied to the employment contract.

Annual Visa Allocation

151,000 visas per year

The quota is set annually by the Italian government via the 'Decreto Flussi'. For 2024, the total quota across various categories was 151,000.

No lottery system

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Requirements

Excluded Nationalities

Citizens of the following countries are not eligible: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK

Documentation

Applicant Documents

Valid passport

At least 3 months validity beyond stay, 2+ blank pages

Passport photos

2 recent biometric photos (35x40mm)

Employment contract

Signed contract from Italian employer with job details and salary

Nulla osta

Approval from Sportello Unico Immigrazione confirming job authorization

Proof of funds

Bank statements or salary proof

Accommodation proof

Rental agreement or proof of housing in Italy

Health insurance

Valid coverage or proof of enrollment in Italian National Health Service

Criminal record certificate

Recent certificate from country of residence

Optional

Sponsor Documents

Employment contract

Copy of signed employment contract

Company registration

Company business registration and tax documents

Nulla osta approval

Approval from SUI for employment authorization

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Advantages

  • Direct path to employment
  • Can lead to permanent residency
  • Dependents can be included
  • Access to Italian social services
  • Can transition to other visa types

Considerations

  • Requires employer sponsorship
  • Tied to specific employer (limited portability)
  • Nulla osta process can be lengthy
  • Job offer must meet salary requirements

Application Process

1

Secure job offer

Obtain written job offer from Italian employer

2

Employer requests nulla osta

Italian employer applies for nulla osta from Sportello Unico Immigrazione (SUI)

3

Receive nulla osta

SUI issues nulla osta approval to employer

4

Prepare visa documents

Gather passport, photos, contract, nulla osta, proof of funds, accommodation

5

Submit visa application

Apply at Italian consulate with nulla osta and employment contract

6

Biometric appointment

Attend appointment for fingerprints and photograph (as of January 2025)

7

Await decision

Check application status

8

Receive visa

Collect visa from consulate

9

Apply for residence permit

Within 8 days of arrival in Italy, apply for residence permit at Questura

Application Forms

National Visa Application Form

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Living in Italy

Cost of Living
11% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€21,600
Quality of Life
153/200
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