If you’ve obtained a work visa through Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, you may be wondering what to do once you arrive in Italy. This article will walk you through everything you need to know after entering the country.
When you enter Italy
According to the Decreto-legge 145/2024 and the Circolare Interministeriale 8047 (16 October 2025) you and your employer must sign the contratto di soggiorno within 8 working days of your entry into Italy. The employer must sign with a digital signature or another qualified electronic signature, while you (the worker) may either sign digitally or sign on paper (‘in forma autografa’).
After signing, your employer must immediately send the contract via certified email (PEC) to the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (SUI).
The Sportello Unico will then:
- verify your visa and identity
- issue your permanent codice fiscale
- verify the contratto di soggiorno
- give you the residence permit application kit (kit postale)
- send your information to the Questura
Important Note: Even before signing the contratto di soggiorno, once you enter Italy with a valid nulla osta you are allowed to start working immediately, as permitted under Italian immigration law.
What happens if your employer is no longer available once you arrive in Italy?
Based on a decision of the Ministry of Interior, if the employer becomes unavailable after your arrival in Italy or if the employer no longer intends to hire you, but you already entered Italy in the meantime, the Sportello Unico may authorize you to apply for a permesso per attesa occupazione (residence permit for job seekers), which allows you to look for a job and regularly stay in Italy for one year.
With this permit you can register at the Job Center even just with the receipt of the permit application.
Alternatively, if you have found another employer willing to hire you, the new employer and you can go to the Sportello Unico to sign a new contratto di soggiorno.
Attention: Work visa scams are rising in Italy
If you are planning to enter Italy through the Decreto Flussi please be cautious, as many people are being deceived by scammers who offer to “help” with visas and work permits, charge money, and then disappear, leaving individuals without employment and in vulnerable situations.
It is important to remember that no one can legally charge for a visa or work permit, and all procedures must be followed through official channels.
According to the 2024 annual report from the National Anti-Trafficking Helpline (Numero Verde Antitratta – 800 290 290), labor exploitation now affects mostly adult male migrants.
In 2024 alone,
- 139 men were scammed and left without work,
- cases of labor exploitation reported to the Helpline reached 80%, compared to 16% for sexual exploitation.
This trend is highlighted in the 2025 Immigration Statistical Dossier (IDOS). More information can be found at the following link: Lo sfruttamento lavorativo dei migranti.
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This article is written by Refugee.info Italy team and reviewed for accuracy by legal professionals.