Business in Italy
Annual Flow Decree visa for Italy: complete guide
How the Annual Flow Decree visa works in Italy: requirements, quotas 2025–2028, application process, documents, and mistakes to avoid.
4 min read·Sep 18, 2025Read article
Italian
Flow Decree Visa
Hire non‑EU workers legally through annual quotas
Planned hiring within official quotas
Lawful work visa and compliant employment contract
Seasonal and non‑seasonal channels
End‑to‑end handling up to residence permit
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
The pathway to hire non‑EU workers through annual quotas
The Flow Decree (Decreto Flussi) is the official Italian government instrument that allows employers to hire non-EU workers through annual quotas. It covers both seasonal roles in agriculture and tourism, and non-seasonal positions in construction, logistics, care work, hospitality, and transport.
Each year the government sets the number of available entries. The employer files a Nulla Osta application on the Ministry of Interior portal, which takes approximately 60 days to process. Once approved, the worker applies for a visa at the Italian Consulate and must enter Italy within six months.
Upon arrival, the worker signs a residence contract within eight days and can begin working once the residence permit application receipt is obtained.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Step 1
Who can apply
The visa can be requested by non‑EU citizens in the following situations:
🏗️
Available
Non‑seasonal employment offer
Job offer in Italy (e.g. construction, care, logistics, tourism, transport, hospitality)
🌾
Available
Seasonal employment offer
Seasonal work (e.g. agriculture, tourism)
🎓
Available
Training in country of origin
Training programme recognised by the Ministry of Labour completed abroad
🔄
Available
Conversion in Italy
Conversion of another residence permit already held in Italy (e.g. study or traineeship to work)
🌍
Available
Facilitated‑quota countries
Citizenship of countries included in facilitated quotas (e.g. Tunisia, Albania, Morocco)
Important Warning
Applications are accepted only within the annual quotas established by the Flow Decree.
Timing and Procedure
⏳
Processing times
Typical timing for Flow Decree cases
Nulla Osta ~60 days from online filing
Visa within 30 days from the Consulate
Entry into Italy within 6 months from Nulla Osta
Timing may extend in case of late convocations or high application volumes.
📤
How to apply
Main steps
Online application on the Ministry of Interior portal
With approved Nulla Osta the worker applies for a visa at the Consulate
With the visa the worker enters Italy
Contact us today: Flow Decree windows are time‑limited and places fill up quickly.
Step 2
Required Documents
Complete document checklist for your application
🏢
For the Nulla Osta application (employer)
Draft employment contract (unsigned; duration, duties, salary, workplace)
Employer identity document
If individual: ID card or passport
If company: legal representative’s ID, current Chamber of Commerce excerpt, tax code and VAT number, any power of attorney
Accommodation for the worker: hospitality declaration; in some cases housing suitability certificate from the Municipality
🪪
For the visa application (worker)
Valid passport
Work Nulla Osta
Copy of the employment offer
Travel medical insurance if required
Other documents requested by the Consulate (e.g. translations, family certificates)
Translation & Legalization
Foreign documents require sworn translation and apostille or consular legalization. Future Italian coordinates translations and legalizations to ensure full legal validity.
We Handle Everything
We manage the entire Flow Decree process: online filing, consular visa and residence permit. Experts of the Ministry portal and the consular network, we ensure compliant filings and continuous tracking until issuance.
Step 3
Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
We file the application on the Ministry of Interior portal. Nulla Osta is issued in about 60 days.
How long does it take?
8-12months
We Handle Everything
How Future Italian Can Help You
The Flow Decree requires quota planning, a correct online application and coordinated handling of Nulla Osta, visa and permit. Our specialists know the procedures of the Ministry of the Interior, the Consulates and the Single Immigration Desk.
Personalized consultation
Requirements and quota analysis, company/worker profile
Document assistance
Nulla Osta and visa dossier, sworn translations and legalizations where required
Application preparation and filing
Online filing on the Ministry portal, consular bookings and deadline management
Monitoring
Case tracking with Ministry, Single Immigration Desk and Consulate, management of additional requests
Post‑issuance support
Residence permit, tax code, registry registration and residence contract
You hire safely. We manage the procedure. With Future Italian, you're never alone
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
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From the Blog
Insights that make the process easier
Practical guidance on visas, residency, and Italian bureaucracy, written by our team.
