Au Pair Programme Italy

Step 1: Check if you have a valid passport

You definitely need a valid passport to be able to apply for your visa. You should start applying as soon as possible. It can take several months until you have received a new passport.

Step 2: Your host family applies for your work permit (autorizzazione al lavoro)

Your host family applies for your work permit (autorizzazione al lavoro) at the employment office of their province of domicile (Ufficio Provinciale del Lavoro).

Step 3: Your host family applies for your declaration of no objection (Nulla Osta)

On receipt of the work permit, your future host family must apply for a declaration of no objection (Nulla Osta) at the immigration desk (Sportello Unico) of their local prefecture in charge.

Step 4: Your host family sends you your work permit and declaration of no objection

They will send you both documents by post so that you can apply for your visa.

Step 5: You can apply for your visa at the Italian Embassy of your home country

Please note: The work permit required for your visa application becomes invalid if you do not enter Italy within 6 months upon receipt of your work permit.

Step 6: Register with the aliens department (Questura) in Italy

In order to be a legal resident in Italy, you must register with the local aliens department in charge (Questura) within 8 days upon arrival in Italy. This is where you apply for your residence permit issued for employment purposes (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato).

As a prerequisite for the issue of your work permit you must:

• either be covered by the national health insurance in Italy (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale)
• or be covered by a foreign health insurance which is also valid in Italy for your entire stay.

Alternatives to the au pair visa

If you are a citizen of Canada, Australia or New Zealand you also have the opportunity to apply for a Working Holiday Visa.

Alternatively, you can apply for a student visa. As a prerequisite, you need to prove that:

• you are enrolled in a course at an Italian language school or university
• you have an accommodation in Italy
• you dispose of sufficient financial means to cover your living costs for your entire stay
• you are covered by a valid health insurance
• you possess a return flight ticket or sufficient money for your travel back home

The Italian Embassy in your home country will certainly help you, should you have any further questions.

More information for au pairs in the host country Italy:

• Quick Check for au pairs
• Pocket money, working hours, time off & Co.
• Do not forget: contract, insurance & Co.

More information for host families in Italy

Sources:

Italian Home Office

Italian Ministry of Labour

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[Last update: July 2011]