How hard is it to get a work visa in Italy if you are an American?

Question

And if you want to work at an Embassy or any other place that would make good use of an American?

Answer 1

The normal work visas are a long process. You can check visa requirements at the Italian Ministry website: http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp.

In general in Europe, and in particular here in Italy, you have to have a job lined up in order to get a work visa before you move here from the US, Canada, Australia, or other non-EU country. You can only stay for 90 days without some type of visa (work, student, ...). You cannot apply for the visa while you're here and you'll need the proper paperwork from the company. However, you could come over as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa and look for work. Then you'd have to go back to the US or where ever and wait for the paperwork for a visa to be processed. If you're coming from the US, you'll also have to have skills that can't easily be duplicated here. That will mean a degree in a marketable field. There are lots of different kinds of permessos though - for work as a dependent of a company, self employment, seasonal work, or working vacation. http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp... People from the EU have the right to move and work freely within the EU, so they will have priority for jobs.

A good strating point for planning this type of move is to do some research on the expat websites for the countries you're interested in. Since you're already an expat in Australia, you may be familiar with this type of site. These are sites for expats in Italy with general info on living and working here:

http://www.us-expatriate-handbook.com/

http://www.expatsinitaly.com/

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listing...

http://www.jobonline.it/

http://italy.jobs.com/

There are similar sites for other countries - just search for the name of the country and "expat". a few examples:

http://www.expats.cz/

http://www.expatica.com/nl/main.html

http://www.expats.org.uk/countryinfo/fra...

http://www.expatexchange.com/net.cfm?net...

http://www.spainexpat.com/

http://www.expatica.com/

http://www.escapeartist.com/

The trick is finding a job that pays enough that you can support yourself. I was fortunate enough to move here through my existing job. There are not a huge number of available jobs right now, and people from the EU will have preference. I already had a job here and the paperwork took 8 months.

As an American expat, you'll have to file tax returns both here and in the US. You should also be aware that it's more expensive to live here than in the US. For example, gas is roughly equivalent to $10 per gallon now.

Answer 2

hmmmm .... when you say work overseas .....and use of an American .... you make it seem cheap, tawdry and carnival like ....... can I bring my Elephant?

Answer 3

It shouldn't be that hard but I want to go!

Answer 4

It's moderately hard but here is a site to get you started.  I say reach for the stars if you only grab the moon, pull yourself up and reach from there.

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/jobslist....

Answer 5

it depends mostly from country to country

due to the large instream of illegal aliens over the last decades many countries have become very strict on their restrictions to work there.

But then again there are many countries that have a serious deficit in able workers. so for certain jobs you can get a work permit easy.  let me know what you do and I can check if there's something you can apply for(I work for monster you know).

the procedure most European countries apply, is pretty similar to the American system.

An employer must be able to prove that for some reason it is necessary to hire you, and not an Eu citizen for a certain job.

I must add that the Italian are usually a lot less strict than the northern countries, but I think the same general rule applies.

as for working for a us embassy be prepared to have a security check as long as the chinese wall done, a friend of mine applied there once and short of a rectal exam they checked him top to bottom.

Answer 6

Fro you'll come with me...and they'll close an eye... ; p