In Italy, there are several categories of business visas from which service providers can benefit.
As regards the category of service providers, the applicable entry visa depends mainly on your nationality, your country of residence, the length of your stay (less than 90 days or more than 90 days) and the reasons of your stay. It is also important whether or not there is an employment relationship (whether employed or self-employed, with an employer operating in Italy or abroad). For the visa categories concerning employment relationships, please refer to the dedicated sections on the Portal (employed worker; highly-qualified worker; self-employed worker). On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can get any necessary information on the entry visa to be requested.
If you need a visa for Italy, you will be provided with all the information and forms needed to submit your application.
Less than 90 days: Short-term business visitors (STBV)
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
- For short-term business visits to Italy, third-country nationals may apply for a Schengen Visa for business purposes. Such visa allows entry and stay in the territory for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period for business purposes such as: contacts or negotiations; training; checks on the functioning of goods sold or bought in the framework of commercial contracts or industrial cooperation. This kind of visa is only limited to occasional activities/trade and does not serve as an entry visa to obtain a long-term visa or a residence permit.
- For short-term employment, third-country nationals may apply for a Schengen Visa for self-employment or salary-employment. The required documents to be presented are detailed below in the same requirements for a long-term visa or on this website.
Documentation required and conditions to be met for business purposes
To obtain the visa, the third-country national must produce documentation proving that:
- she/he is a business visitor (e.g. business registration certificate, licence, etc.);
- the nature of her/his stay corresponds to the requested visa (e.g. through the person’s stay programme; that is, place and dates of business meetings planned or invitation letter);
- she/he is in possession of sufficient economic means to stay in Italy;
- she/he avails of an accommodation, either with a booking proof or hospitality invitation in Italy;
- she/he is covered by adequate health insurance;
- she/he is in possession of transportation tickets to come and leave Italy (or the means to acquire them).
- The business visa in question can be issued to accompanying staff, provided the reason for their presence be documented.
In the event the third-country national travels to Italy for business upon invitation from a company operating in Italy – be it for contacts, negotiations, training checks on the functioning of goods sold or bought, professional update, visit to the Italian factories or participation to exhibitions – the visa in question is issued provided an official invitation from the company established in Italy be presented. Such invitation must include the period and motive of the requested stay as well as the activities the third-country national will perform.
Where and how to file an application
- Business visas for short-term visits are issued by the diplomatic representations of the State abroad. The process may be initiated online by filling up the entry visa application form, available here. For more detailed information on specific requirements, please visit this page.
Application fees and indicative processing time
- Third-country nationals are charged €60 to cover the administrative costs of the process.
- Visas are issued within 15 to 60 days.
Stays longer than 90 days
For business stays longer than 90 days, a series of possibilities are available, depending on the purposes of the visit. For the categories concerning employment relationships, please refer to the dedicated sections (employed worker; self-employed worker, Investors). The residence permit will finalise this kind of visa.
Independent professionals
The most relevant sub-category of visa for the category of independent professionals would be: Self-Employed Job.
Categories
Contractors or high professional figures employed by public or private entities that have to be included in an annually determined fixed quota.
Documents required
Official parameters issued by the Italian “Camera di Commercio”; available economic resources to support the activity to be undertaken; explicit authorisation by the Italian Authorities. More information on this website.
Business visitors for establishment purposes
Two sub-categories can be relevant for business visitors for establishment purposes, depending on the individual situation:
Salary-employed job
Categories
All the requested workers by Italian companies. They can be included in the fixed quotas or represent specialist typologies of job.
Documents required
Authorisation by Italian authorities “Prefettura” through the release of Special Territorial Office by Labour and Interior Italian Ministry (“Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – S.U.I.”). More information on this website.
Italy’s start-up visa
Categories of visa, permits or any similar type of authorisation regarding entry and temporary stay
- The start-up visa is an entry and residence permit for self-employed work reserved to those eager to launch an innovative start-up in Italy.
Documentation required and conditions to be met
The necessary documentation includes:
- the application form duly filled;
- a certificate proving the resources available;
- a valid identification and travel document.
In order to be eligible for the one-year start-up visa, the third-country national must avail of a capital of at least €50 thousand as well as a project to carry out in Italy. Such a project is evaluated by a technical Committee appointed by the Ministry of Economy.
Application fees and indicative processing time
- The evaluation of the project may take up to 30 days after reception of the application. In case of positive outcome, the worker receives, via email, an authorisation for self-employment aimed at establishing a start-up.
- The successful applicant may retrieve her/his entry visa within three months after the work authorisation is released.
Where and how to file an application
Upon arrival in the country, the worker must follow the steps provided for to obtain a residence permit for self-employment; i.e. lodging a formal request for a residence permit at the Police Headquarters within eight days.
Investors
You are considered an investor if you:
- plan an investment of at least €2 million in Bonds of the State for at least two years;
- plan an investment of at least € 500 thousand in the capital of a company established in Italy for at least two years; or € 250 thousand if such a company is an innovative start-up;
- plan a philanthropic donation of at least €1 million to support a project of public interest.
Documentation required and conditions to be met
In order to obtain the visa and residence permit for investors, the applicant must provide the following documentation:
- a valid travel document;
- documentation proving the availability of the sum in case of donation as well as the legality of its provenance.
Conditions for any available extensions or renewal
- Should the application be accepted, the third-country national is given a two-year residence permit, renewable for three years.
- Note that the residence permit may be revoked in the instance the investment or donation has not been done within three months after arrival.
Rules regarding accompanying dependents
Family reunification is allowed provided the person residing in the Italian territory holds a residence permit of at least one-year time and meets the legal requirements as to income and accommodation.
Application fees and indicative processing time
- Third-country nationals are charged €116 to cover the administrative costs of the process.
- Visas are issued within 30 days.
What is Investor Visa for Italy?
Please see under ‘Conditions’ for all information on International Service Providers.
Please see under ‘Conditions’ for all information on International Service Providers.
Please see under ‘Conditions’ for all information on International Service Providers.