Conversion of the study permit to work permit can now be requested at any time during the year without waiting for the quotas set in the “decreto flussi”
The residence permit issued for study, internship or training allows for limited work (up to 20 hours per week, up to 52 weeks, with an annual limit of 1,040 hours) and can be converted into a permit for subordinate (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato) or self-employment (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo) work, allowing to engage in full time work activities.
Further to the publication of the so-called “decreto Cutro” (DL 20 March No. 23, converted into Law No. 50 on 5 May 2023) it is no longer necessary to have to apply for a “quota” from the annual “decreto flussi” (flow decree) for the conversion. As a consequence valid study permits can now be converted at any time during the year without numerical limits.
To request the Conversion of student permit in Italy (including those of internship or training), the permit must be valid and not expired (however the Council of State has interpreted this requirement flexibly, and under certain conditions, a delay in submitting the conversion application does not cause the rejection of the application – judgment of 11 November 2021)
The conversion of student permit in Italy can be requested even before the completing the study program or even if the applicant has not graduated in Italy. However, for permits issued for training courses or internships in Italy, conversion is only possible after the completion of the training or internship program.
If applying for the conversion from study to subordinate work, the applicant must have a job offer for subordinate work. The proposed working hours must exceed 20 hours per week.
For conversion from study to autonomous work, the applicant must present documentation related to the planned activity and the financial availability needed for it (income higher than the minimum level required by law for exemption from health expenses, i.e., €8,500). Highter minimum amount can be applied depending on the business activity (consequently on the type/category of permit issued by the Chamber of Commerce) that the applicant will be performing in Italy.
To apply for conversion, the study permit holder must
Depending on the specific type of conversion, the forms to be used are:
If you hold an accredited an Italian undergraduate/graduate degree, Ph.D., university “master”, first/second level academic degree, Higher Technical Institute diploma, you can register as unemployed and apply for a permit for the purpose of job searching or entrepreneurship (Permesso di soggiorno per ricerca lavoro o imprenditorialita‘ degli studenti). This kind of permit allows students to legally live in Italy after their graduation while searching for a job/start a business for max 1 year.
Have a look at #STARTUPHUB. It’s a program for those willing to set up or join a Startup in Italy.
You might be interested also in EU BLUE CARD. There is a special work permit only for highly skilled and qualified employees which is Not subject to quotas.
With our Multilingual Service Desks with native English, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic speaking associates serving as a contact point, we offer a dense network of lawyers specialized in Italian Immigration and Citizenship law.
Giuditta Petreni has over 10 years of experience in assisting companies and business investors with relocation of managers and staff to Italy. Giuditta has extensive experience advising corporate and private clients on a full range of Italian immigration categories. She is fluent in Italian and English.
Related posts:
Can I do an internship in Italy with a student permit?
Residence permits that allow you to work in Italy
Residence permit in Italy for workers and students awaiting for employment
Elective residence visa Updates: Can the applicant obtain the Italian permit of stay directly in Italy without having a visa?
