Job Discussion Forums

traveler11 · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 4

I'm sure the answers are somewhere on the site, but - in a nutshell - how does one move to Italy legally? I am neither of Italian descent, nor do I have a work contract. I just have a Canadian passport and a love for Italy - so how can I go for longer than the standard 90 days as a tourist?

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Illegally or via an employer sponsoring you.

traveler11 · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 4

SueH...that's not too encouraging. Is it possible to get an extension on a 90 day stay? Do you need an excuse other than "I want to stay longer"?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sadly, North Americans are not really legally eligible for long-term residence and work in Italy. I had a friend in your situation who went to Italy and worked anyway....and after four years of trying every possible avenue, finally had to give it up. She had great contacts, perfect Italian, and worked very hard, but no luck. In the end, working illegally was just to stressful.

There are rare cases where people do make it legally, like through marraige or working at an international school (requires teaching credentials in regular courses) or working for an international company that can swing work permits for you. It's rare....and unless you've got some serious contacts, you are facing some period of time working illegally in any case.

Sorry to be negative, but if you decide to try anyway, it's better to know the reality.... and who knows, you might get super-lucky.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Sorry if I sounded a bit curt, Traveler, but I was in a bit of a hurry. As spiral has pointed out, it's basically the truth. You can work up to 16 hours on a student visa. These questions have been asked before, so have a browse and you'll get a better feel for the situation. The following website may also be useful:
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/

TTFN

traveler11 · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 4

Thanks Sue & Spiral . . . the info you provided is familiar, but I guess I keep hoping someone out there has found a loophole...but no luck so far!

joshsweigart · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 66

Hello everyone,

I have been searching through the threads on this board but can't seem to find any from North Americans who have obtained visas to work legally in Italy. I am thinking of trying to move to Rome but would prefer not to work illegally. From my experience in other EU countries, getting visas isn't such a big problem provided that the school gets the proper paper work to you before entering the country. Is Italy a special case? Are there any N. Americans working in Italy who have gone through the process of getting the correct documents?

Thanks in advance

Josh

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Sorry to sound unhelpful again Josh, but why would a school go through all the bureaucracy of sponsoring you, proving they can't get anyone from the EU when it is so easy to employ an EU citizen. If you had a really recondite skill in some obscure IT arena, or an expert mechanic on some new Pratt & Whitney engine etc. it might be worth their while. We, as English teachers are fairly dispensible, I'm afraid.

Have a look at the website referred above which has a mainly American bias, but you'll find much the same there.

Frontline · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 25

<shrug> Working illegally in Italy is the norm. The rules are so confused over there that I managed to work there illegally despite being a fellow EU citizen. Don't ask.

You have no hope whatsoever of getting through Italy's bureaucratic maze... but the school you work for might. Make contact with as many schools as you can and make appreciative noises towards the one which says it can square things with the local police.

Yes it sounds weird to you as a law-abiding American citizen but you will never get on Italy unless you understand the way things are done there.

In fact, when I started in Italy I was told that I'd replaced an American woman who my school had been only too happy to sponsor until she turned up with her baby and brought it to all her lessons. Don't do anything quite that dumb and you'll be fine.

Good luck, and always be furbo!

joshsweigart · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 66

Thanks for the advice. I was in Poland for four years and spent a couple of those years working illegally--this led to problems when I got a job that required the correct documents. I guessed that some schools wouldn't mind hiring people illegally but I figure that they might also be less likely to uphold contractual obligations. Are there any problems like that in Italy?

Josh