Traditional ICT visa and residence permit

Among the visas and residence permits available outside the "flow decree" system is the so-called ICT – intra-company transfer governed by Art. 27 lett. a) of Legislative Decree 286/98, which allows the transfer, up to a maximum of 5 years, of a worker from a foreign company to an Italian company belonging to the same group.

Who can apply for it?

Highly specialized workers or managers/executives who have been employed for at least 6 months and who must perform in Italy a specialized activity are entitled to apply for this residence permit.

At the end of the posting period, the worker can return to the home country or be hired directly by the Italian company.

The procedure in a nutshell

What to do to obtain an ICT work permit and work in Italy:

1.    apply online for a work authorization (nulla osta), on behalf of the Italian host company at the relevant Single Desk for Immigration (“Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione” (SUI))

2.    once the nulla osta has been obtained, apply for a long-term work visa at the Italian Consulate or Embassy competent on the basis of the worker's place of residence

3.    enter Italy and within 8 days request an appointment at the SUI to sign the contract of stay and integration agreement

4.    apply for a residence permit and undergo the fingerprinting procedure at the Police Headquarters (“Questura”)

5.    pick up the residence permit at the Questura when ready

Benefits of obtaining an ICT work permit

Upon termination of the secondment period or at the end of the maximum 5 years of duration of the ICT work permit, workers can be hired by the Italian company and obtain a residence permit for subordinate work. In addition to this, by demonstrating their presence in Italy for at least 5 years, official residency and a reasonable income, they can apply for an EU long-term resident permit and, upon reaching 10 years of residence in Italy, proceed to apply for Italian citizenship by residence.

Family members of holders of a visa and ICT residence permit lasting at least 1 year are entitled to family reunification.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

Our team is available to provide support and assistance throughout the process! Contact us to book your first consultation with us and to start the process to obtain an ICT residence permit! #YourWaytoItaly 

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.