Intra-Company Transfer in Italy: complete guide
How the Intra-Company Transfer works in Italy: visa requirements, step-by-step procedure, residence permit, benefits, and common mistakes.
Business in Italy
Sep 12, 2025
4 min read
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Intra-Company Transfer
Transfer managers specialists and trainees to Italy without quotas
Employment remains with the foreign company
Outside the quota system
Lawful work in Italy for a fixed period
Management and technical continuity across offices
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
The pathway to transfer your group’s qualified staff to Italy
Have you already opened your branch or office in Italy?
Now you can transfer to Italy your managers specialists or trainees who work at the parent company or another foreign office of your corporate group thanks to the Intra‑Company Transfer (ICT) residence permit.
This visa and permit allow the employment relationship to remain with the foreign entity while enabling lawful work in Italy for a fixed period without the quota system.
It is the ideal solution for multinational companies that want to ensure management and technical continuity between group offices.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Step 1
Who can apply
Non‑EU citizens who fall into the following categories can apply:
👔
Available
Managers
Management and coordination responsibilities
🧠
Available
Highly skilled workers
Specialized technical skills or specific know‑how
📚
Available
Trainees
With a degree transferred for in‑house training
Key requirements:
🕒
Required
Employment in the same company or sector
Employment abroad in the same company or sector for at least 6 consecutive months. For the EU ICT permit the requirement is 3 months.
🎓
Required
Qualifications and degrees
Adequate qualifications and degrees. If issued abroad they must be legalized and officially translated.
🏢
Required
Corporate link
Corporate link between the Italian host and the foreign entity such as branch subsidiary or parent company.
Step 2
Step 2: Required Documents
Documents required for the ICT visa and permit:
🏢
Company documents
Assignment letter or internal agreement between the foreign company and the Italian host
Proof of the corporate link such as branch subsidiary or parent company
Evidence that pay and working conditions comply with Italian law
🪪
Employee documents
Valid passport copy
Degrees and certificates. If foreign they must be legalized and translated
✅
Authorizations and coverage
Work authorization Nulla Osta issued by the Single Immigration Desk outside the quota system
Health insurance or company coverage
Translation & Legalization
All foreign documents must be officially translated into Italian and legalized with apostille or consular legalization.
We Handle Everything
We handle the entire ICT pathway from Nulla Osta to the residence permit. Expertise with the Single Immigration Desk and the consular network with continuous tracking until issuance.
Step 3
Step 3: Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
1
Nulla Osta preparation and filing
We collect company and employee documents, verify the corporate link, and file the application with the Single Immigration Desk. Processing usually takes up to 2 months.
2
ICT visa at the Consulate
We book the appointment, prepare the consular file, and assist with the ICT visa application in the country of residence. Issuance is about 15 days.
3
ICT residence permit
Upon arrival in Italy we complete the postal kit and book the Police appointment within 8 days. The permit is issued in 2-6 months.
4
Issuance and validity of the permit
We handle delivery of the national ICT permit up to 5 years or the EU ICT permit up to 3 years with 1 year for trainees.
5
Expiry and conversion
At expiry we manage the conversion of the national ICT to employed or self‑employed work. For the EU ICT we guide you on the new title required when conversion is not allowed.
6
Renewal and limits
We plan renewals in accordance with the maximum duration and pay conditions required by law.
🎉 Your ICT permit has been issued. Your transfer is now operative in Italy.
How long does it take?
End‑to‑end ICT process from Nulla Osta filing to residence permit issuance.
4-8
months
Average processing time
How Future Italian Can Help You
ICT transfers require careful planning proof of the corporate link and strict handling of Nulla Osta visa and permit. Our specialists know the procedures of the Single Immigration Desk and the consulates and coordinate company and employee documents translations and legalizations and monitor deadlines and appointments until issuance.
Personalized consultation
Assessment of the most suitable permit category for your case
Document assistance
Support for the Italian host and the foreign company in preparing documentation
Application preparation and filing
Filing with the Ministry and the Consulate with deadline management
Monitoring
Status tracking until permit issuance
Post‑issuance support
Assistance with renewals conversions registrations and family services
You focus on the business. We handle the procedure.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
Typical timing is as follows
• Nulla Osta up to 2 months
• ICT visa about 15 days
• ICT residence permit 2-6 months after entry
• Total 4-8 months depending on the case
• Nulla Osta up to 2 months
• ICT visa about 15 days
• ICT residence permit 2-6 months after entry
• Total 4-8 months depending on the case
Non‑EU employees transferred within the corporate group to Italy as
• Managers with management and coordination responsibilities
• Specialists with technical skills or specific know‑how
• Trainees with a degree for in‑house training
• Managers with management and coordination responsibilities
• Specialists with technical skills or specific know‑how
• Trainees with a degree for in‑house training
No. ICT transfers are outside the quota system.
It remains with the foreign company. In Italy the work is carried out at the host entity with an assignment letter and pay and conditions compliant with Italian law.
Maximum duration
• National ICT up to 5 years generally convertible to employed or self‑employed work at expiry
• EU ICT up to 3 years 1 for trainees generally not convertible a new title is required
• National ICT up to 5 years generally convertible to employed or self‑employed work at expiry
• EU ICT up to 3 years 1 for trainees generally not convertible a new title is required
Yes. Family reunification is possible subject to financial and insurance requirements.
Changes of host or significant role changes require a new assessment and usually a new Nulla Osta.
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