How to Apply for Italy Seasonal Work Visa 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Italy seasonal work visa - Two men standing on a Broccoli farm

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Do you know as a non-EU citizen, you can apply to work in Italy as a Seasonal worker. All you need to do is apply for the Italy seasonal work visa and meet the requirement. If you want to know more, read on till the end.

Italy is one of the most blessed countries in Europe with vast flourishing Agricultural lands. Every year, a certain number of non-EU citizens are allowed into Italy for work purposes according to the Decreto flussi law. However, to be able to apply for a seasonal work visa in Italy, you must meet the conditions set for this specific purpose.

To get started, You need to secure the authorization to work. Usually, an interested employer is required to submit a nominative request on your behalf to the one-stop shop immigration office in the specified province.

If this application is accepted, you will be issued a seasonal work permit containing the duration of your stay and other limits. However, your application must come in within the annual quota for non-EU workers. Else, you could be turned down until the next season.

Therefore, in this article, we will explore the meaning of seasonal work and seasonal work visas in Italy. Also, we will be discussing the steps to apply for a seasonal work visa in Italy.

Table of Contents

What is a SeasonaItalyk Visa?

The term seasonal work refers generally to seasonal jobs. But, in this context, the term seasonal work visa refers to jobs linked with agriculture, in other words, Italy seasonal farm jobs.

These seasonal work visas are available for specific periods of the year when these job roles are needed the most. For instance, Planting and harvesting seasons occur in specific periods like towards the beginning of the year or towards the end. Hence the name seasonal work.

Generally, seasonal work visas come with certain restrictions. As an applicant with a seasonal work visa, you are not allowed to work in another job during the period of your stay in Italy.

However, depending on the requirement of the seasonal job, you may be allowed to partake in training programs or studies during the period of your stay. Hence, before you make your application, ensure you confirm the requirements involved for the role.

How it works:

Every year, the Italian government publishes a degree containing the specific number of seasonal and or working visas available for the year, between January and March. This list is then published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale of the government. Officially, this list contains the number of vacancies available for agricultural jobs.

In addition, there is the Decreto Flussi or Immigration flow. It is issued every year, in March and runs through the 31st of December.

Unlike the Gazzetta Ufficiale, the Decreto Flussi gives the number of foreigners who can do non-seasonal work including self-employment rules.

However, sometimes, these open quotas take a very short time to be filled, hence, if you desire a seasonal work visa in Italy, you should be alert or employ the services of a recruitment agency in Italy to keep updated.

What You Should Know about the Italy Seasonal Work Visa

Before you proceed with your application for the Italy seasonal visa these are the most important things your need to know:

Before you apply for a seasonal work visa, you must have authorization of work valid between 9 to 12 months.

Once your authorization is granted, you will be issued an entry visa for your application visa.

You must meet the eligibility criteria to receive a seasonal work visa in Italy using the official portals of the Ministry of foreign affairs. This covers a quick check on your nationality, reason and purpose of travel and means of sustainability during your stay.

Most Italy visas are issued for specific periods, usually between nine months to two years. However this may differ depending on the sector of employment, job role description and employer preference. However, do ensure to confirm the specific Italy visa requirement for the seasonal work you hope to apply for.

Eligibility Requirements For Italy Seasonal Work Visa Application

Before you apply you must meet these requirements;

Be a non-EU citizen
Have an offer of employment
Recent passport photographs
Copy of your signed work contract
Provide evidence of sufficient finance to take care of your needs
Present a clear criminal record from your country of residence
Have an SOP defining your purpose for travelling and the rule of conduct. Get a professional SOP writing company like Fasthire to help you write one

Need our Assistance for your LOE/SOP? Contact Fasthire today.

Be able to speak Italian
Have a valid passport
Have the finance to purchase the following necessary documents:
- Visa fee: according to the EU immigration portal, an Italy visa cost around £116
- Residence permit: if you intend to stay between three to 12 months, £40. However, for 12 to 24 months, you’d need to pay a fee of £100.

However, ensure to check the portals as these costs may change with time. Also, please note that the seasonal work visa does not permit entry for family members.

Apply for Italy Seasonal Work Visa in 6 Steps

Once you have a job offer in Italy, you can process your application on the Italian immigration official website. Also, you can visit the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of residence to make your application. Here is a simple guide to help you navigate the process;

Step 1:

Apply online via the Sportello Unico Immigrazione (Immigration counter)

Step 2:

Fill out the forms and attach the documents as specified on the website

Step 3:

Create an official email called the PEC. The PEC is a certified E-mail address which has a legal status required by the Italian government for official Italian processes

Step 4:

Once you have your official email created, you need to create a digital identity called SPID —- Public digital identity system. This is what you use for your Visa and Work Permit application.

Step 5:

According to the Italy Immigration News broadcast, To create your SPID, you need the following: an e-mail address, the phone number of your mobile phone, a valid Italian identity document (one of identity card, passport, driving license) and your income tax number

Step 6:

Once you receive your SPID, you can now complete your application process

FAQs

1. What is the Processing time for a seasonal work visa in Italy?

Typically, the seasonal work visa for Italy farm jobs takes a period between 2 to thirty3o days to e processed. However, you will be informed once your visa is made and you will be given 6 months to pick it up from your local embassy

2. Who can apply for Italy seasonal work visa?

If you are From a non-EU country, you are eligible to apply for Italy seasonal work visa. However, you must first have an offer of employment from an Italian employer before you can make this application. Thereafter, your employer will proceed to get you authorization to work.

3. How long is the duration of validity for Italy seasonal work permits?

Your work permit is valid for the number of days indicated in your authorization to work which is usually from 20 days to nine months depending on the length of your employment. So, your residence permit is issued for the duration indicated on your visa. However, if in the process of your stay, you are offered new opportunities for seasonal work, you can opt for a renewal of your residence permit

Conclusion

The Application process for a seasonal work permit in Italy is very straightforward, However, you must ensure to start your application within the specified periods of the Gazzetta Ufficiale decree. Also, remember that you need an offer of employment to authenticate your application. Good luck with your application.