Key Points
- New Confirmation Step: Italy now requires employers to confirm interest in an approved work permit for EU Blue Card and quota-subject applicants.
- Seven-Day Response Window: Employers have seven days to respond after receiving an official email; failure to do so results in permit revocation.
- Effective Date: This policy change begins on January 11, 2025, adding a new step to Italy’s work permit process.
Overview
The Italian government recently announced a new procedural step for employers sponsoring foreign nationals under the EU Blue Card or quota-subject work permits. Effective January 11, 2025, employers must confirm their continued interest in the work permit after the application receives initial approval. This new step is designed to improve communication and verify employer commitment to the hiring process, ensuring that only genuine and active work permit requests proceed to final authorization.
The confirmation process will be integrated into Italy’s Visa Information System, which will automatically notify the relevant Immigration Office once a work permit is approved. The Immigration Office will then contact the employer using a certified email, prompting them to confirm their interest in the work permit within seven days. If the employer does not respond within this timeframe, the application will be rejected, and the work permit will be revoked, rendering the applicant unable to proceed with the immigration process.
This requirement adds a critical time-sensitive element to Italy’s work permit process, urging employers to monitor communications from immigration authorities and respond accordingly promptly. For HR departments, compliance officers, and immigration professionals managing foreign hiring, this new rule underscores the importance of closely tracking work permit applications from approval to final authorization. By implementing this confirmation step, Italy aims to reduce administrative burdens associated with inactive or non-essential work permit requests, thereby streamlining the process for applicants and officials.
Looking Ahead
Employers planning to sponsor foreign workers in Italy under the EU Blue Card or quota-subject permit categories should prepare to adapt to this confirmation requirement. Companies must ensure that immigration managers and HR personnel are ready to respond promptly to emails from the Immigration Office, thereby avoiding any potential permit rejections or delays. This update reinforces Italy’s commitment to optimizing its work permit procedures, which could encourage other EU countries to adopt similar measures to enhance the efficiency and reliability of their foreign employment systems.
