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.
Business in Italy
Sep 12, 2025
4 min read
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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
Are you an Italian company that wants to hire non‑EU workers in a lawful and structured way? The Flow Decree is the official instrument that lets you hire foreign personnel for both seasonal and non‑seasonal roles.
Each year the Italian Government sets a fixed number of lawful entries for work. Accessing these quotas means planning hires safely, avoiding legal risks and obtaining motivated workers with a valid visa and regular contract.
At Future Italian we support your company at every stage: requirements check, preparation of the online application, up to the worker’s arrival and completion of residence formalities.
We handle the bureaucracy, you focus on your business.
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
Step 2: Required Documents
Required documents
🏢
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
Step 3: Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
1
Online Nulla Osta application
We file the application on the Ministry of Interior portal. Nulla Osta is issued in about 60 days.
2
Consular visa
We assist the worker with the visa application at the Italian Consulate. Visa is issued within 30 days.
3
Entry into Italy
With the visa the worker enters Italy within 6 months from the Nulla Osta date.
4
Residence contract
Within 8 days we go to the Single Immigration Desk to sign the residence contract and obtain the receipt to request the permit.
5
Residence permit
We submit the application for employed‑work residence permit (postal kit). Work can start after the permit is issued or with the receipt of submission.
6
Registrations and completion
Post‑issuance support: tax code, registry registration and subsequent formalities.
🎉 Hiring completed in compliance: visa issued and residence permit under way.
How long does it take?
Complete Flow Decree process from online application to residence permit issuance.
8-12
months
Average processing time
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.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
Indicative timing: Nulla Osta ~60 days from filing, visa within 30 days from the Consulate, entry within 6 months from Nulla Osta. Timing may vary based on convocations and application volume.
After the residence permit for work is issued or with the receipt of the permit application.
No. They are accepted only within the annual quotas set by the Flow Decree.
Seasonal work concerns limited periods (e.g. agriculture, tourism) with shorter durations. Non‑seasonal covers ongoing employment in sectors such as construction, logistics, care and hospitality.
Changing employer requires a new assessment and usually a new Nulla Osta. We recommend planning to avoid interruptions.
Yes, family reunification is possible subject to financial and accommodation requirements.
You must wait for the next Flow Decree or consider alternative channels (e.g. conversions, other visa types) depending on the profile.
Yes. For the Flow Decree it must be signed at the Single Immigration Desk within 8 days of entry into Italy.
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