Italy: Processing time for a work permit

Dec 12, 2023

Did you know that in Italy, processing time and documents required for each permit vary not only according to the details of each case, but it may vary even on the place (city) you submit your request. As a firm specilized in Italian immigration process, we created the following chart to offer an idea on the difficulty level and the “processing time” of many Italian cities.

Processing time for a Work Permit in Italy: City by city summary

Italy has a general legal framework to regulate and guidelines on the immigration process, within the legal framework, each immigration and labour office has wide discretionary powers. Local authorities can decide on their own implementing rules and It may cause the differences in application document requirements and processing time. Also, the turnover of public offices managers and staff may cause changes in application requirements without previous notice. This may happen not only on work permit (nulla osta) applications in immigration and labour offices, but also on the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) applications in the police office (Questura).

We fully understand the complexity of Italian immigration system, our extensive experience allows us to offer high quality and structured immigration services. Through our network of 100+ local consultants, we are constantly in touch with immigration offices in all major cities in Italy. We are familiar with local practices and keep pace with rapidly changing expectations of immigration authorities, our up-to-date firsthand information is what you can rely on.

Here below is a list of an overview of processing time and requirements in each Italian cities:

  1. Italian Immigration and labour offices process work permit applications; Police Office is responsible for processing residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) applications. Documentary requirements and processing times may change without previous notice; within the legal framework, each immigration and labour office has wide discretionary powers; turnover of public offices managers and staff may cause changes in requirements and processing times
  2. Government agencies may change policies/practices/requirements without notice.

Note: This is a general overview only. It cannot be relied upon as a legal advice/opinion.


With our Multilingual Service Desks with native English, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese speaking associates serving as a contact point, we offer a dense network of lawyers specialized in Italian Immigration and Citizenship law.

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