Italy has delayed the work permit application dates for foreign workers

Non-seasonal workers will be allocated 61,250 quota spots for work permits, and an additional 700 spots will be allocated for self-employed foreign workers. (Photo: Claudio Hirschberger via Unsplash)

• Italy has delayed the work permit application dates for foreign workers.
• Non-seasonal workers will be able to apply starting March 18 and 21, whereas seasonal workers will be able to apply starting March 25.

For 2024, the applications can be submitted:

• from March 18 for non-seasonal employees who are citizens of countries that have cooperation agreements with Italy
• from March 21  for other non-seasonal employees
• from March 25 for seasonal workers.

Non-seasonal workers will be allocated 61,250 quota spots for work permits, and an additional 700 spots will be allocated for self-employed foreign workers.

It may be recalled that last year, Italy had published 'Planning of legal entry flows of foreign workers into Italy for the three-year period 2023-2025’ in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. This decree establishes the new quotas for foreign workers who want to enter Italy to work. For the first time this year, programming is being experimented on a three-year basis. The new Prime Minister's Decree defines the criteria for determining flows, within and outside the quotas, sets the quotas for the three years (already fixing the dates for sending applications in 2024 and 2025) and gives provisions on procedures. As Fragomen notes, work permits under the quota are granted to foreign workers on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that those who file an application first are able to secure a permit, provided that they meet all the requirements.