Work permits: Permessi per Motivi di Lavoro

What is this permesso for?

In general, Permessi di Soggiorno per Motivi di Lavoro (work permits) are for non-EU citizens who work legally in Italy.
In Italy, there are two kinds of Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro:
Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato, for people who are employees of a company or organization
Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Lavoro Autonomo, for people who are self-employed, either as freelancers or as business owners

When my permesso expires, can I convert it to a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro?

If you are currently working, you may be eligible to convert your permesso into a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro if you hold a valid:

• Permesso per Motivi Umanitari (humanitarian protection) or a 2-year Permesso per Casi Speciali (the permit you get if you were granted humanitarian protection before October 5, 2018, but your physical permesso was issued after that date).
• Permesso per Particolare Valore Civile for people chosen by the Ministry of Interior for acts of bravery.
• Permesso for people affected by criminal activity issued by the police.

If you have refugee status or hold subsidiary protection, you technically can also convert your permesso into a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro, but usually people don’t do that because their current permessi are renewable every 5 years anyway, whether or not they have a job.
To get either type of Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro, you also need:

• Your national passport
• Documentation proving that you are legally supporting yourself through work — but the exact documentation depends on which of the two types of Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro you are applying for.

Applying for either of the Permessi per Motivi di Lavoro can be complicated and requires gathering the right paperwork, and it can be very difficult to prepare on your own. For help, you can go to a patronato office, such as a CGIL, CISL, UIL or ANOLF. These are labor unions that help anyone in Italy, including migrants, with bureaucratic processes, and especially with taxes. You can also start by visiting a helpdesk.

Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato for employees

To be eligible to convert your existing permesso into a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato, you need to have:

• A valid permesso di soggiorno
• Your national passport
• Proof that you have a job
• Proof that your annual income is higher than the Italian minimum social welfare check — the minimum for 2018 is €5,889, and the minimum for 2019 is €5,953.74
• Other documents, depending on your individual case

How long will it take to get the Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato?

In general, it takes several months to get this permesso, but the timeline can vary from one questura to another.

How long is it valid for?

If you have a contratto a tempo determinato (limited-term contract), the permit is valid for 1 year and can be renewed.
If you have a contratto a tempo indeterminato (unlimited-term contract), the permit is valid for 2 years and can be renewed.

How can I renew this kind of permesso?

To renew a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato, you will need to meet the same requirements as when you applied for it.
If you don’t have a job when you apply for renewal, the questura will not renew your permesso. Instead, you can request a Permesso per Attesa Occupazione, a permesso for people who are looking for a job. It is valid for 1 year and cannot be renewed.

Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Autonomo for the self-employed

To be eligible to convert your existing permesso into a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Autonomo, you need to have:

• Your national passport
• A valid permesso di soggiorno
• Documents showing that you have a legitimate business and/or freelance work — but which documents you need depend on your business or freelance work
• Proof that your annual income is higher than the amount that under Italian law exempts you from health care spending — the minimum for 2018 is €8,263.31
• Other documents, depending on your individual case

How long will it take to get the Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Autonomo?

The length of the process may vary from one questura to another, but in general it takes several months.

How long is it valid for?

The first time you get this permesso, it will be valid for 1 year. When you renew it, your new permesso will be valid for 2 years and can be renewed again.

How can I renew this kind of permesso?

You will need to provide the same documentation you provided when you first applied for the permesso, but you will need to provide up-to-date versions.

What rights do I have as a holder of a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Subordinato or Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro Autonomo?

With both these permessi, you have the right to:

• Work in Italy — but not any other European countries.
• Register with the registry office of your local comune, which gives you the right to get a carta d’identità.
• Access the Italian health care system (SSN).
• Access the Italian public education system.
• Ask to bring your family to Italy through family reunification.