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All relocation routes

Relocation and Japa

Legal ways for Africans to move to Italy

The routes Italy's government runs itself, each linked to its official page. Fees and the money you must show are copied from that page, with the date we read it. You apply yourself. You never need an agent.

Never pay an agent

Every route below is applied for on the government's own website. Fees go to the government only. Anyone who asks you to pay them for a visa, a job offer or a lottery win is not to be trusted. Check a message or offer.

Routes into Italy

2 routes into Italy.

Work visa Italy

Decreto Flussi work entry (quota system), 2026

Run by Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, Ministry of the Interior (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) and Italian consulates

Workers who have an Italian employer willing to apply for a work permit (nulla osta) for them within the yearly quota. The employer applies in Italy. The worker cannot apply alone.

Job offer
Required. The Italian employer submits the nulla osta application on the Ministry of the Interior portal. For 2026 the click days were 12 January 2026 (seasonal agriculture), 9 February 2026 (seasonal tourism), 16 February 2026 (non seasonal work) and 18 February 2026 (domestic care work). Applications can be sent until 31 December 2026 while quotas remain.
Language
Not stated on the official page
Education
Not stated on the official page
Work experience
Not stated on the official page
Government fee
Visa fee EUR 116 for a national (type D) visa, as listed by the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi, plus a service charge at the visa centre. Employer side fees are not stated on the pages read.
Processing time
Not stated on the official page
Money you must show
Not stated on the official page
When and to whom you pay
The visa fee is paid at the visa application centre in local currency when the worker applies for the visa after the nulla osta is issued (Embassy in Nairobi page).

Read the official page

Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says

Read on integrazionemigranti.gov.it on 2026-10-18: "Per l'anno 2026 sono stati autorizzati 76.200 ingressi per lavoro subordinato non stagionale, 650 ingressi per lavoro autonomo e 88.000 ingressi per lavoro subordinato stagionale."; "Tutte le domande potranno essere presentate fino al 31 dicembre 2026, ferma restando la verifica della disponibilità delle quote."; Embassy of Italy in Nairobi fee page: "All applicants 116". Another official page. Another official page. Another official page.

Work visa Italy

EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE) for highly qualified workers

Run by Ministry of the Interior (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) and Italian consulates

Graduates with at least 3 years of higher education, or skilled workers with 5 years of relevant experience, who have a job offer in Italy. It sits outside the Decreto Flussi quotas.

Job offer
Required. A job contract proposal or binding job offer of at least 6 months. The employer applies online for the nulla osta.
Language
Not stated on the official page
Education
A higher education qualification from a course of at least 3 years, or the requirements for a regulated profession, or a higher professional qualification shown by at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Work experience
At least 5 years of relevant experience if you have no degree. For ICT managers and specialists, 3 years of relevant experience in the 7 years before the application.
Government fee
Visa fee EUR 116 for a national (type D) visa, as listed by the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi. Other fees are not stated on the pages read.
Processing time
The page says the nulla osta decision is taken within 30 days of the application. The permit lasts 2 years for a permanent contract, or the contract length plus 3 months.
Money you must show
Salary at least the national collective agreement level and not below the average annual gross salary measured by ISTAT, given on the page as about EUR 36,300.
When and to whom you pay
The visa fee is paid at the visa application centre in local currency when you apply for the visa after the nulla osta is issued.

Read the official page

Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says

Read on integrazionemigranti.gov.it on 2026-10-18: "di una qualifica professionale superiore attestata da almeno cinque anni di esperienza professionale"; "(circa 36.300 euro)"; Embassy of Italy in Nairobi fee page: "All applicants 116". Another official page. Another official page.

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