Italy Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) for Indians
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 12–40 weeks
- Government fee
- about $130
- Start preparing
- about 15 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 12
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 12–40 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Italy's main route for non-EU workers, and it runs on a quota lottery rather than merit. The 2026–2028 decree authorises about 497,550 entries — 164,850 in 2026 rising to 166,850 in 2028 — split into non-seasonal employed work at 76,200 a year, seasonal work at 88,000 to 90,000, family care work at 13,600 to 14,200, and just 650 self-employment places. The mechanics matter more than the numbers: only your Italian employer can file the nulla osta, through the Interior Ministry's ALI portal, on a fixed "click day", and places are taken in submission order until the quota is gone. The 2026 click days have already passed — 16 February for non-seasonal work and 18 February for domestic and care work — so if you are starting now you are preparing for the 2027 round. Have your employer ready in advance, because success is largely about being first in the queue.
This page covers Indians. For every nationality we track, see the Italy Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) overview.
Requirements for Indians
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | No requirement |
| Job offer required | Yes |
| Degree required | No |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 12–40 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $130. Difficulty: 4/5.
Documents you'll need
- Check the next click day and which quota you fit2026 dates were 12 Jan seasonal agriculture, 9 Feb seasonal tourism, 16 Feb non-seasonal, 18 Feb domestic.
- Find an Italian employer willing to sponsorOnly the employer can file the application.
- Prepare the employment contract and accommodation proofA proposed contratto di soggiorno and evidence of suitable accommodation.
- Employer registers on the ALI portal ahead of the click dayDone on the Interior Ministry's ALI portal; slots go in submission order until the quota runs out.
- Employer submits the nulla osta application on click dayIf the quota is exhausted before your application lands, the next year's round applies.
- Await the nulla osta decisionThe Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione has a mandatory 30-day deadline to issue it.
- Get your documents translated and legalisedTranslation into Italian, then legalisation or apostille through the MEA and the Italian consulate.
- Apply for the entry visa at the Italian consulate in IndiaLodged at the consulate in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Bengaluru; the permit is void after six months.
- Enter Italy and sign the contratto di soggiornoSigned at the Sportello Unico within eight days of arrival.
- Apply for your permesso di soggiornoKit submitted at a post office within eight days of arrival; the receipt legalises your stay.
- Obtain your codice fiscale and register with the health serviceThe codice fiscale is Italy's tax code; you then register with the SSN regional health service.
- Plan family reunification and long-term residenceFive years of legal residence opens EU long-term residence and ten years opens citizenship.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) takes about 15 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the Italy Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) take for Indians?
- Typical processing time is 12–40 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) cost?
- The government fee is approximately $130. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Indians need a job offer for the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota)?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in Italy is required before applying.
- Can I bring my family on the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota)?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other Italy visas for Indians
Other destinations for Indians
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.