Did you know that there is a “special process” that allows to shorten the immigration process of the seconded workers to Italy?
Companies that often need to bring highly skilled foreign workers to Italy (either on temporary assignment or to be employed locally) may choose to be registered as “recognised” sponsor with the Italian Ministry of Interior, thus accessing expedite highly skilled worker’s admission procedures.
The host company shall sign a so-called Protocollo di Intesa (Protocol Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, MOU), with the Ministry of Interior. The protocol is applicable to (one protocol must be signed for each procedure):
• Managers or highly qualified personnel seconded to Italy (intra company assignment). Allows foreign employees in an executive/senior managerial/specialized knowledge role to be temporarily assigned to a subsidiary/branch/affiliate.
• EU Blue Card – Highly skilled workers. For highly qualified workers to be placed under a local job contract as employees of the Italian company.
• Managers/specialists/trainees seconded to Italy in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer.
✓ Approval is not subject to a foregoing Italian Labour Board check, but only to police examination
✓ Reduction of processing time (the reduction of time may vary from city-to-city)
✓ The work permit application is replaced by a communication of the terms contained in the proposed contract
of stay
✓ Less steps with respect to the standard process (a work permit is not issued)
Once the Fast-Track Process is completed, it is possible to proceed with the request of the work permit application under the Fast-Track Process.
Before the prospective worker enters Italy with the visa, the company must make sure all documents are ready and in good order or else he/she will not be able to complete the registration procedures within the 8 days term nor to start work at the sponsor company. Workers should not enter Italy once they have the work visa stamped on the passport if mandatory registration requirements are not met.
In case of intra company transfers where the holder has an EU ICT permit issued by another EU Member State the process is even quicker as the worker will not need to apply for the visa before entering Italy.
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.
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