Italy: How to apply for a seasonal work visa

Europe does not have a uniform policy on hiring seasonal workers. But every country has its own rules. In European countries, seasonal workers are mainly needed in the agricultural sector.

Visas are issued at a specific time of the year for seasonal workers. And those who come with this visa are usually not allowed to do other work. They are first allowed to enter Europe before the start of the work and sent back after the work.

Some European countries allow workers on seasonal visas to study or train, even if they are not allowed to work during this period. Things you need to know to come to Italy as a seasonal worker: Italian visas can be valid from nine months to two years. But it will depend on the type of job, employer and sector. So check the rules and make sure you don't stay in Italy longer than the period mentioned in the visa. If you came to Italy under a 'decreto flusi', you can renew your visa if you still have a job after the visa expires.

To obtain a seasonal work visa, a work permit must be valid for 20 days to nine months. Once the work contract is done, you will be allowed to stay for the time specified in the visa.

You can check your visa eligibility from this website under the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Announcement of seasonal visa
The Italian government issues a decree in this regard every year. It is usually issued between January and March. This announcement was made officially in the official gazette.

Also, the link of the announcement is also provided on the website of Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Employment. The announcement mentions how many seasonal visas or seasonal working visas Italy is giving this year.

The 'Decreto Flusi' is published in March of each year. There is an opportunity to apply till December 31 for the announced jobs. Information regarding this can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the country.

Sometimes more seasonal visas are announced in late spring or early summer. This announcement comes especially if the employer organizations can convince the government about their staff shortage.

It's good to know that for years Italy has been saying that their quotas have been met within hours or days of the decree being announced.

How many work permits are issued?
Italy announced 82 thousand 75 work permits to bring workers from countries outside Europe in 2023. 38 thousand 705 visas will be issued to those who are employed as workers. The country has announced 500 visas under self-employment and 44,000 visas for seasonal work.

Most of the seasonal visas are given to agriculture, tourism and hotel sectors for certain regions. A special quota of 1,000 visas is issued to those who have completed training and education programs of the Ministry of Labor and Education to come to Italy. In the 2023 announcement, Italy will offer seasonal worker visas for drivers, construction, tourism and hotels, telecommunications, machinery, shipbuilding and food production.

Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kosovo, Mali, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea , Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia and Ukraine citizens are eligible to apply for jobs in Italy.

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