Immigration Overview

With Immigration levels already high and still growing, Italy finds itself as the 4th country of the EU for the number of immigrants arriving (after Britain, France and Germany) and is, for immigration, the leading country in the Mediterranean region. However, the country does not have a specific regulation relative to skilled workers. Multinational companies who are investing in Italy and need to bring into the country some highly executives and specialized personnel, do not find any facilitation other than the exemption from the "quotas" system. Industry associations and some political parties have pleaded, without success, with the Government to attribute the powers relative to "skilled worker" to special offices in order to create a "fast track" for these workers.

Since 1999 the legislation allows for immigration flows. Annual quotas are determined by the Government according to the needs of labor market. These quotas are established for:

- some categories of workers, such as nurses and IT or communication specialists, while no more specific reference is made, for example, to engineers or computer/software programmers;

and
– citizens of some specific countries (e.g. Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, etc.) rather than for particularly skilled categories of workers.

Visas

EU and certain non EU citizens (like U.S. and Canadian citizens) can simply enter Italy with a valid passport or equivalent travel document. Foreign citizens coming from other countries, including India are required to apply for an entry Visa, even if they are travelling for tourist purposes alone.

Italy is a signatory of the Schengen Treaty. The Treaty provides for two different types of Visas:

• National Visas – (NV) Type D

– This Visa allows the foreign citizen to move and reside in the territory of the specific Country for which the Visa has been requested, for periods over 90 days but no longer than a year – a period defined as a long term stay. This kind of Visa is released for specific purposes only, such as adoption, subordinated work, study, to mention but a few. The NV is not released for Business purposes.

• Uniform Schengen Visas – (USV) Type C

– This Visa, on the other hand, allows the foreign worker to travel across any of the Schengen Countries for periods of no more than 90 days. This time period will begin from the citizen’s entry into the Schengen territory. The USV can be released for different reasons (i. e.: tourism, study, subordinated work and also for Business purposes).