Residence Permit for Job Seekers: Requirements and Conversion

The residence permit for job seekers (Permesso per Attesa Occupazione) allows foreign nationals to reside legally in Italy while looking for work. It may apply to those who have lost their jobs, as well as to those who have completed their studies in Italy and wish to enter the job market (in this case, it specifically refers to the residence permit for job search or entrepreneurship).

It is, in essence, a transitional tool: it allows you to continue your journey in Italy even after your previous job has ended or your studies have concluded, giving you the time you need to find a new professional opportunity.

Who is eligible to apply for a job seeker residence permit?

Any foreign national who holds a work permit and loses their job—including in the event of resignation—may apply for this permit. In fact, losing one’s job does not automatically result in the revocation of the residence permit.

In this situation, the foreign national may register with the Employment Center (CIP) and declare their availability to take on a new job. The law allows them to remain legally in Italy for the specified period and look for new employment.

This permit also applies to individuals who have earned certain academic degrees in Italy and, upon the expiration of their student permit, wish to seek employment consistent with their educational background.

How long is a residence permit for job seekers valid?

The duration depends on the applicant’s circumstances.

For recent graduates in Italy (Ph.D., master’s degree, three-year or two-year bachelor’s degree), the residence permit is the one for job search or entrepreneurship, introduced/amended by Legislative Decree 71/2018 (Article 39-bis.1 of the Consolidated Law on Immigration). It is valid for 9 to 12 months and cannot be renewed.

For those who have lost their jobs, however, registration with the Employment Center can cover the remaining validity period of the permit and, in any case, a period of no less than one year. If the worker receives income support for a longer period, the registration may be extended for the entire duration of the benefit. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to renew the permit beyond the first year.

How do you apply for a residence permit for job seekers?

Applications must be submitted using the mail-in kit at offices authorized to handle the “Sportello Amico” program.

The required documents include the completed and signed form, a copy of your passport, and documentation related to the declaration filed with the Employment Center. For those receiving income support, the relevant INPS documentation is required.

Registering with the Employment Center is therefore an important step: it serves to formally establish your status as available for work and to grant you access to services designed to help you find a new job.

Can you work with this type of permit while waiting for a job?

Yes. It’s one of the most important things to know.

A foreign national may work while awaiting the issuance, renewal, or conversion of their permit, provided they have duly filed the application and have the receipt confirming its submission. This principle was recently reaffirmed by the Ministry of the Interior, particularly in light of the regulatory changes that took effect in 2025.

The ability to work does not, therefore, necessarily depend on possession of the physical document: the application receipt serves as proof that the request was properly submitted.

If, on the other hand, the application is denied, the opportunity to work associated with the procedure is also lost.

What happens when you find a job?

The Immigration Portal stipulates that, if a residence permit for pending employment is currently valid and the individual finds a new job, the hiring must be reported using the UNILAV form. Subsequently, upon expiration of the current permit, you must apply for renewal directly as an employee (or self-employed individual).

Rights of holders of a residence permit for job seekers

Those who are issued this type of permit may:

• maintainregistration with the municipal registry;
• enter into lease agreements;
• access to health care;
• apply for a Long-Term EC Permit if they meet the requirements set forth in the Consolidated Law on Immigration;
• enter into insurance contracts.

A Bridge Between Study and Work

The residence permit for those awaiting employment allows foreign nationals to navigate a transitional period without having to interrupt their stay in Italy.

Those who lose their jobs can look for new employment, and those who have completed certain educational programs in Italy can use this time to enter the job market. And while waiting for a permit to be issued, renewed, or converted, the application receipt allows them to work legally.

Would you like to learn more about the residence permit for those awaiting employment? Read our comprehensive guide for international students.