How much does an Italy work visa cost?

Government fees are about $130 for the EU Blue Card and $130 for the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.

How long does an Italy visa take to process?

Typical processing is 10–26 weeks for the EU Blue Card and 12–40 weeks for the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota), plus the time needed to gather documents.

Can I move to Italy without a job offer?

Every Italy route we track requires a job offer from an employer in Italy.

Which Italy visas lead to permanent residency?

The EU Blue Card and Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

🇮🇹 Italy visas: requirements, costs, and processing times

Last verified: September 2, 2026

We track 2 Italy visa routes: EU Blue Card and Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota). Each is verified against the official government source for Indians.

Compare Italy visa costs and processing times

Visa	Gov. fee	Processing	Min. income	Job offer
EU Blue Cardwork	$130	10–26 weeks	—	Required
Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota)work	$130	12–40 weeks	—	Required

Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents. A range means the figure differs by nationality.

Italy visa types

EU Blue Card

work

The route worth checking first if you hold a degree, because it sits entirely outside the Decreto Flussi quota system — no click day, no queue, no annual cap. You need a recognised higher education qualification of at least three years or equivalent professional experience, plus a job offer of at least six months paying above the threshold set annually by decree, which tracks the average national salary. Your qualification needs a declaration of value (dichiarazione di valore) or CIMEA statement of comparability, which is the slowest part and should be started early. The Blue Card leads to long-term EU residence after five years, allows family reunification, and lets you move to another EU country more easily than a national permit.

Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota)

work

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.

Italy visa guides by nationality

🇮🇳 Italy visas for Indians

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Frequently asked questions

How much does an Italy work visa cost?: Government fees are about $130 for the EU Blue Card and $130 for the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.
How long does an Italy visa take to process?: Typical processing is 10–26 weeks for the EU Blue Card and 12–40 weeks for the Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota), plus the time needed to gather documents.
Can I move to Italy without a job offer?: Every Italy route we track requires a job offer from an employer in Italy.
Which Italy visas lead to permanent residency?: The EU Blue Card and Work Visa (Decreto Flussi Quota) offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

Always confirm requirements with the official government source linked on each visa page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Browse visas for other countries.