Conversion of Residence Permit from Study to Work

Legislative Decree no. 20/2023 (the so-called Cutro Decree) has introduced significant changes to the procedure for converting a residence permit for study purposes into a residence permit for work purposes.

Before this regulatory change, holders of a study residence permit were required to wait for the issuance of the annual Decreto Flussi in order to apply for the conversion.

Currently, the conversion of a study residence permit into a permit for subordinate employment or self-employment can be requested at any time of the year, without seasonal limitations.

Requirements for the Conversion of a Residence Permit from Study to Work

Pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree no. 286/98, as amended by Legislative Decree no. 20/2023, the study residence permit may be converted into a work residence permit provided that the following requirements are met:

• a valid residence permit for study purposes;

• execution of the residence contract for subordinate employment;

• or submission of specific certification proving compliance with the requirements set out in Article 26 of Legislative Decree no. 286/98 (entry and residence for self-employment).

In the case of conversion to subordinate employment, the student must have a job offer with a working schedule exceeding 20 hours per week.

In the case of conversion to self-employment, the student must submit documentation relating to the self-employed activity and demonstrate adequate financial means to carry it out. The expected income must exceed the minimum threshold required by law for exemption from healthcare costs, currently set at €8,500.

When the Conversion Can Be Requested

The conversion to a work residence permit may be requested at any time of the year. In particular:

• holders of a residence permit issued for enrollment in degree courses, master’s programs, or PhD programs may apply for conversion even before completing their course of study;

• holders of residence permits issued for training courses or internships in Italy may apply for conversion only after completion of the course or internship, pursuant to Article 14, paragraph 6, of Presidential Decree no. 394/99.
  

How to Convert a Study Residence Permit into a Work Residence Permit

The application must be submitted online through the Ministry of the Interior’s website, using SPID credentials, by selecting “work authorization (nulla osta)” → “out-of-quota conversions and special projects”.

The appropriate application form must then be selected:

• Form VA for conversion to subordinate employment;

• Form Z for conversion to self-employment;

• Form V2 for conversion to subordinate employment for foreign nationals who reached the age of majority in Italy or obtained a degree in Italy;

• Form Z2 for conversion to self-employment in the same cases.
  

Residence Contract Proposal

For conversion to subordinate employment, submission of a residence contract proposal by the prospective employer is mandatory.

This proposal, drafted and signed by the employer, constitutes the key document proving the availability of employment that complies with current labor and immigration regulations.

The contract must clearly specify the following elements:

Type of contract

• applied national collective labor agreement (code and name of the relevant CCNL);

• job level or classification;

• duties to be performed.

Duration of employment

• indication of whether the contract is open-ended or fixed-term;

• in the case of a fixed-term contract, the duration expressed in months.

Weekly working hours

• no fewer than 20 hours per week, as required by the applicable regulations.

Employer details

• company name and registered office;

• annual turnover and number of employees, required to assess the employer’s financial capacity;

• any additional information requested by the ministerial forms (e.g. ATECO code, INPS and INAIL registration details).

The proposal must be completed in accordance with the Ministry of the Interior’s official templates and is subject to review by the territorially competent Immigration One-Stop Shop (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – SUI), which verifies compliance with legal requirements.

Steps Following Submission of the Application

After submission of the application, it is necessary to wait for the issuance of the work authorization (nulla osta) by the competent Prefecture’s Immigration One-Stop Shop.

Once the nulla osta is issued:

• the residence contract (Form Q) is delivered and must be signed by the employer;

• subsequently, the Prefecture provides the postal kit for applying for the residence permit for work purposes.
  

Documents Required for Conversion from Study to Subordinate Employment

• valid residence permit for study purposes;

• student’s passport;

• valid identity document of the employer;

• certificate of an academic degree obtained in Italy (if already awarded);

• job contract proposal signed by both employer and employee, indicating the applicable CCNL, job level, duties, weekly working hours, and place of employment;

• housing suitability certificate or receipt of the application;

• €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo);

• four passport-sized photographs;

• copy of the signed residence contract, to be submitted to the Immigration Office (Questura) when applying for the residence permit.