Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo)

You submit your application through a two-stage process: first, you obtain a Nulla Osta (no-objection certificate) from Italian authorities while still abroad, then you apply for the visa at your Italian consulate. The entire process takes 3–5 months from start to finish.

Stage 1: Obtain the Nulla Osta (Pre-Authorization in Italy)

The application process begins in Italy, not at the consulate. You must request a Nulla Osta per Lavoro Autonomo from the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione (SUI – One-Stop Shop for Immigration) in the province where you intend to reside.

What you do:

1. Appoint a legal representative in Italy. Since you are abroad, you typically hire an Italian immigration lawyer or consultant to handle the Nulla Osta request on your behalf. This costs €1,500–€3,000+ depending on complexity.

2. Prepare your business documentation. Your representative will compile:

   • A detailed business plan (10–15 pages) focused on market analysis, competitive positioning, and financial projections specific to the Italian market
   • Proof of professional qualifications (degrees, certifications, portfolios, contracts, or years of documented activity)
   • Tax returns from your home country for the previous year showing income above €8,400
   • Bank statements demonstrating financial capacity
   • For regulated professions: formal recognition or registration with professional bodies

3. Request a Chamber of Commerce assessment. Your representative submits your business plan to the Camera di Commercio (Chamber of Commerce) in your intended province. The Chamber evaluates whether your declared activity meets the economic parameters required to operate in that region. For entrepreneurs and business people, these resources must not be less than three times the annual unemployment subsidy (approximately €14,000).

4. Wait for Chamber of Commerce evaluation. This takes 2–4 weeks. The Chamber issues a declaration of parametri di riferimento (reference parameters) listing the specific economic resources required for your activity.

5. Submit the Nulla Osta request to the Questura. Your representative submits the complete file to the Questura (Police Headquarters) in your intended province, including:

   • Chamber of Commerce parameters declaration
   • Your business plan and professional documentation
   • Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy (rental lease, property deed, or declaration from a resident)
   • Health insurance covering at least €30,000 for the Schengen area with repatriation included, valid for at least 12 months
   • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)

6. Wait for Questura approval. The Questura conducts background checks and eligibility verification. This takes 2–4 weeks. Once approved, the Nulla Osta is issued and electronically transmitted to your Italian consulate. The Nulla Osta is valid for 90–180 days from issuance.

Stage 2: Apply for the Visa at Your Italian Consulate

Once your Nulla Osta is issued and transmitted to the consulate, you can submit your long-stay visa (Type D) application in person.

What you do:

1. Gather all required documents. Compile the universal documents required for all applicants:

   • Completed visa application form (Type D)
   • Recent passport-size photograph on white background, full face and front view (stapled or glued to form; scanned or photocopied photos not accepted)
   • Valid passport with at least two blank pages and validity extending at least three months beyond the visa expiration date; include one copy of the page with your photograph and expiration date
   • Copy of driver's license or state ID as proof of residence in the consulate's jurisdiction (or utility bills/bank statements if recently moved)
   • Copy of the Nulla Osta transmitted from Italy
   • Confirmed flight reservation
   • Visa fee: €116 (non-refundable, paid as Money Order or cashier's check)
   • Return envelope if you cannot collect your passport in person (must be pre-paid, self-addressed, and trackable)
   • Consent form to send by mail (if applicable)

2. Add category-specific documents. Depending on your professional category, include:

   If you are a self-employed professional (libero professionista):

   • Declaration from the office authorized to issue certifications, licenses, and authorizations, or from the institution authorized to oversee professional associations
   • Copy of tax return for the previous year showing income in your home country higher than €8,400
   • Proof of suitable lodging (rental lease, ownership deed, or declaration from a resident)

   If you are a business person, entrepreneur, or artisan:

   • Statement from the Chamber of Commerce describing the economic parameters required for your business
   • Proof of financial means in Italy sufficient to satisfy Chamber of Commerce requirements
   • Copy of tax return for the previous year showing income higher than €8,400
   • Proof of suitable lodging

   If you are a partner or consultant in an Italian firm:

   • Certification of enrollment in the Business Registry (Visura Camerale) showing the firm has operated for at least three years
   • Statement from the legal representative ensuring your compensation above €8,400
   • Copy of the budget deposited at the Business Registry (for Ltd Companies) or latest tax return (for individual firms)
   • Copy of the declaration of responsibility sent by the Italian contract provider to the competent Direzione Provinciale del Lavoro stating you will not be employed as a subordinate worker
   • Proof of suitable lodging

   If you are a manager or highly qualified employee:

   • Certification from the competent Direzione Provinciale del Lavoro – Servizio Politiche del Lavoro that your contract does not constitute subordinate employment
   • Proof of suitable lodging
   • Nulla Osta issued within the previous 120 days (rather than 90 days for other categories)

   If you are a sports professional or athlete:

   • Declaration of consent from CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) sent directly to the consulate
   • Nulla Osta issued within the previous 90 days

   If you are an artist or entertainment professional:

   • Job contract ensuring compensation higher than the amount provided by Italian national contracts for your category
   • Proof of lodging
   • Flight reservation

3. Translate and apostille all foreign documents. All documents issued outside Italy must be apostilled (certified under the Hague Apostille Convention) and translated into Italian by certified translators. This includes tax returns, degrees, professional licenses, and any other official documents. Budget €100–€300 for this.

4. Submit your application in person at the consulate. Visit the Italian consulate in your country of residence during application hours. Submit all documents together. Some consulates use VFS Global as an intermediary; if yours does, you may submit through VFS for an additional €12–€15 processing fee.

5. Wait for consular processing. The consulate reviews your application for admissibility, completeness, and supporting documentation. Official processing time is up to 120 days (4 months). You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection or when additional documents are needed.

6. Collect your passport with the visa. Once approved, collect your passport in person or request it be returned by mail (if you provided a pre-paid return envelope).

Stage 3: Enter Italy and Apply for Residence Permit

Once you have the visa, you must enter Italy and apply for the residence permit within a strict timeframe.

What you do:

1. Enter Italy with your visa. Use your Type D visa to enter Italy. You must do this within 180 days of the visa's issue date.

2. Apply for the residence permit within 8 days. Within 8 days of arrival, you must apply for the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo) at the local Questura (Police Headquarters) in the province where you intend to reside. You do this by submitting the official postal application kit (kit postale), which includes:

   • Latest income tax return and provisional financial statements demonstrating active and sustainable activity
   • Professional license, authorization, or registration with a professional register (where applicable)
   • Registration with the Chamber of Commerce or recent company certificate (Visura Camerale)
   • Proof of Italian VAT number (Partita IVA)
   • €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo)
   • Copy of valid passport
   • Postal kit forms (Modello 1 and Modello 2)
   • Payment receipt for the electronic residence permit (€100–€130)

3. Attend biometrics appointment. The Questura schedules a biometrics appointment (fingerprinting). You must attend in person.

4. Sign the Integration Agreement. You are required to sign the Accordo di Integrazione (Integration Agreement), which outlines your obligations for living and working legally in Italy.

5. Receive your residence permit. The Questura issues your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo), typically valid for one year initially, renewable annually for up to two years.

Stage 4: Register with Tax and Social Security Authorities

Once you have your residence permit, complete your legal and tax setup.

What you do:

1. Open a Partita IVA. Register with the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) to obtain your Italian VAT number (Partita IVA). This is required to conduct business legally in Italy.

2. Register with INPS or your professional social security fund. Depending on your profession, register with the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS – National Social Security Institute) or the relevant professional social security fund for your sector.

3. Choose your tax regime. Decide whether to operate under the Regime Ordinario (ordinary regime) or Regime Forfettario (flat-rate tax regime). Note: these are not compatible with the Impatriate Regime (50% taxable income reduction for new residents), so choose carefully based on your circumstances.

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Item	Cost
Visa application fee	€116
Residence permit (electronic)	€100–€130
Revenue stamp (marca da bollo)	€16
VFS processing fee (if applicable)	€12–€15
Legal representation in Italy (Nulla Osta process)	€1,500–€3,000+
Document translation and apostille	€100–€300
Criminal record certificate and apostille	€50–€100
Health insurance (annual, minimum)	€300–€800

Estimated total relocation cost: approximately €18,000, including visa fees, legal assistance, document preparation, health insurance, and initial accommodation setup.

This does not include: living expenses, business startup costs, office rental, equipment, or ongoing operational expenses.

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Nulla Osta (Pre-Authorization)

• Document preparation and submission: 4–8 weeks
• Chamber of Commerce evaluation: 2–4 weeks
• Questura background check and approval: 2–4 weeks
• Total: 8–16 weeks (2–4 months)

The Nulla Osta is valid for 90–180 days from issuance. You must submit your consular visa application before this expires.

Consular Visa Processing

• Official processing time: Up to 120 days (4 months) from application submission
• Actual processing time: 60–120 days, depending on consulate workload and document completeness

You must use the visa to enter Italy within 180 days of its issue date.

Residence Permit Application (After Arrival)

• Submission deadline: Within 8 days of arrival in Italy
• Biometrics appointment scheduling: 1–2 weeks
• Residence permit issuance: 2–4 weeks after biometrics appointment
• Initial permit validity: 1 year, renewable annually for up to 2 years

End-to-End Timeline

Total time from document preparation to residence permit issuance: 3–5 months

Factors that affect speed:

• Completeness of documentation: Missing or inconsistent documents cause delays
• Consulate workload: Some consulates process faster than others
• Complexity of professional category: Regulated professions requiring degree recognition take longer
• Quota availability: Applications submitted after quotas are exhausted must wait until the following year's click day
• Nationality: Some nationalities may face additional security checks

Quota Availability and Click Day Deadlines

The self-employment visa is subject to Italy's annual Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree) quota system. Only 500 self-employment visas are allocated per year (2026–2028), making this one of the most competitive visa categories globally.

• 2026 click day: February 18, 2026 (quotas typically exhausted within minutes to hours)
• Pre-filing window: October 23, 2025 – December 7, 2025
• Annual quota: 500 permits per year
• Applications not entered by December 31: Automatically terminated

Critical timing note: All preparatory work (Nulla Osta request, Chamber of Commerce assessment, document preparation) must be completed before the click day opens. Begin 3–4 months in advance.

Document Validity Periods

• Passport: Must be valid at least 3 months beyond visa expiration and have at least 2 blank pages
• Nulla Osta: Valid 90–180 days from issuance
• Visa: Must be used to enter Italy within 180 days of issue
• Residence permit: Valid 1 year initially; renewable annually for up to 2 years
• Health insurance: Must be valid for at least 12 months and throughout Italy