Citizens of Canada may want to work in Italy in a number of situations.
You might be planning to move to Italy permanently and need to make a living. Perhaps you are planning to travel around Europe and need some sort of income during your stay.
This raises the important questions: can Canadians work in Italy? If so, how do you get authorisation to work abroad? And will citizens of Canada be able to get a job with the upcoming ETIAS visa waiver for Italy?
Can Canadians work in Italy?
Citizens of Canada can work in Italy if they have the necessary documentation. This includes the following:
- Italy work permit (Nulla Osta)
- Italy work visa
- Canadian passport
- Italian residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
Before you can start the paperwork for your Italian work visa from Canada, you will need to have a job offer from a company based in Italy.
Will the ETIAS let Canadians work in Italy?
No, the ETIAS will not be valid for work. This upcoming online visa waiver will be very useful for Canadians planning a holiday or business trip to Italy. It will also allow you to study short courses up to 90 days, but not to gain employment.
However, if you are planning to live and work in Italy in the long run, it would be a good idea to visit the part of Italy you plan to move to first. Take the time to get familiar with the area and the way of life. The ETIAS can help Canadians to do this.
Check you meet the ETIAS requirements for Canadians to get this convenient visa waiver.
How to get the Italian work visa as a Canadian
Getting a work visa for Italy is a longer and more difficult process than applying for the ETIAS for holidays.
Canadians must follow these steps to apply for an Italian work visa:
- Apply for a job with an Italian employer
- Receive a formal job offer and have the employer file for an Italian work permit for you
- Receive the approved work permit from your potential employer
- Apply for an Italy work visa at the Italian Embassy on Ottowa or one of the Consulates in other parts of Canada
To apply for the work visa, you will need the following documents:
- Copy of your work contract (signed)
- Your Italian work permit — the original AND a photocopy
- Your Canadian passport — this must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa’s duration
- Passport-style photos
- Proof of means to support yourself
- Proof of accommodation in Italy
You will also need to complete an application form and pay the visa fee.
The next step for Canadians to work in Italy
Once you have both your work permit and work visa, you can travel to Italy using your Canadian passport and enter the country to work.
However, to be able to stay in the country, long-term, you will also need a residence permit.
As long as you have the work permit and visa, this will not be a problem.
You must apply for the permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days after arriving in Italy from Canada.
The Italian Working Holiday Visa for Canadians
Established in 2006, the Italy-Canada Youth Exchange Program allows Canadian citizens between the ages of 18-35 normally resident in Canada to travel to and work in Italy. Participation in the Italian Working Holiday Program for Canadian citizens is only allowed once, and the Working Holiday visa is not renewable for a further stay in Italy.
Every year a total of 1,250 Canadian youth can apply to spend a 12-month holiday in Italy and to work in Italy for a 6-month period within this time. The mutual Working Holiday Program was established primarily to allow young people from Canada a better understanding of language, culture, and life in Italy, as well as to permit temporary paid employment for Canadians in Italy.
Before applying, young Canadians between 18-35 must meet the Working Holiday visa for Italy requirements, which involve:
- Having a Canadian passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of return from Italy.
- Proving sufficient financial resources for the stay in Italy, considered to be a minimum of €200 (around C$300) for each of the twelve months. Sufficient funds can be proven by providing either bank statements from the last 3 months, or a credit card registered to the applicant with enough credit to cover the duration of the stay.
- Getting a Health Insurance policy for the entire stay, with a minimum cover of €30.000 for medical emergencies, including hospitalization and repatriation.
- Providing a complete flight itinerary in the form of tickets or proof of booking of a round trip, and details of the applicant’s initial accommodation in Italy.
To participate in the Italy-Canada Youth Exchange Program for a Working Holiday, applicants must:
- Complete an Italian Working Holiday visa application and present it at the nearest Italian Consulate in Canada.
- Apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno at an immigration office no more than 8 days after landing in Italy.
- Upon obtaining work in Italy, submit a request for a Work Permit to the Labour Office through their Italian employer. You must provide proof of your Permesso di Soggiorno.
Italian Embassies and Consulates in Canada
Eligible Canadian citizens cannot apply after arrival in Italy to participate in the Working Holiday for Italy program. They must apply at one of the following Italian Embassies or Consulates in Canada before leaving the country:
Embassy of Italy in Ottawa 21st Floor 275 Slater St Ottawa, ON K1P 5H9 Canada Phone: +1 613-232-2401 Website: https://ambottawa.esteri.it
Italian Consulate General in Toronto 136 Beverley St Toronto, ON M5T 1Y5 Canada Phone: +1 416-977-1566 Website: https://constoronto.esteri.it
Italian Consulate General in Montreal 3489 Drummond St Montreal, QC H3G 1X6 Canada Phone: +1 514-849-8351 Website: https://consmontreal.esteri.it
Italian Consulate General in Vancouver 1140 West Pender Street, Suite 840 Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1 Canada Phone: +1 604-684-7288 Website: https://consvancouver.esteri.it
