There are limited but well-defined safe pathways to come to Italy. These pathways let people enter Italy safely and legally, with visas and authorizations issued before travel, helping to avoid dangerous journeys and exploitation. To understand why taking unsafe routes can be so risky, see our article The Risk of the Journey to Europe.
This article explains the main official pathways recognised by the Italian authorities and international organisations.
- Decreto Flussi – Work visas
- Education – Study visas
- Family Reunification
- Humanitarian Corridors (Corridoi Umanitari)
- Education and Labor Mobility for Refugees
- Resettlement to Italy
1. Decreto Flussi – Work visas
The Decreto Flussi is Italy’s official law that defines how many non-EU workers can enter Italy each year, from which countries, and for which job categories. The current decree, D.P.C.M. 2 October 2025, sets quotas for the triennium 2026–2028, with a total of 497,550 places:
- 164,850 for 2026
- 165,850 for 2027
- 166,850 for 2028.
Work categories include seasonal jobs (agriculture, tourism), non-seasonal/subordinate work, and self-employment. Most quotas are reserved for citizens of countries with migration cooperation agreements with Italy. Additional quotas are reserved for countries signing new agreements during 2026–2028, and for stateless persons and refugees recognized by UNHCR or competent authorities – please see the section “Education and Labor Mobility for Refugees” below.
To apply under the Decreto Flussi, you must have a job offer from an Italian employer (or a foreign employer legally resident in Italy). The employer initiates the process by applying for a nulla osta (work authorisation) on your behalf. Once approved, you can apply for a work visa at the Italian consulate, and upon arrival in Italy, request a residence permit.
To learn more about eligibility, procedures, quotas, and deadlines, read our full article: Decreto Flussi 2026-2028: How to Get a Work Permit in Italy.
2. Education – Study visas
A study visa (Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Studio) allows non-EU citizens to enter Italy for full-time study at an educational institution or professional training program.
To get a study visa, you must:
- Be over 18 (minors 14+ may enter via approved exchange programs)
- Have admission to a recognized Italian institution
- Show sufficient financial resources, health insurance, and accommodation
Study visas are required before entering Italy, and after arrival, students must apply for a residence permit for study reasons, valid for the duration of the course. For more details on conditions, procedures, rights, and mobility options, consult the EU Immigration Portal – Student in Italy.
To apply for a study visa, pre-enrolled students submit their application directly to the Italian embassy or consulate in their home country. The permit can be renewed annually, provided that the student demonstrates sufficient economic resources, health insurance, and academic progress. Fees apply for visas, residence permits, and administrative costs. For guidance on applying for your study permit in Italy, read our article: For Students: Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Studio.
To find courses and scholarships, explore study opportunities, pre-enroll, and plan every step of your academic journey in Italy, visit the Universitaly portal, the official guide to Italian universities, programs, and admission procedures.
3. Family reunification
Family reunification allows eligible residents in Italy to bring their close family members from abroad. You may apply if you hold refugee status, subsidiary protection, or another valid residence permit such as work, study, or long-term permits, and meet the income and housing requirements set by Italian law. You may request to bring:
- your legitimate adult spouse;
- your unmarried minor children and those of your spouse, provided you have the necessary consents;
- dependent adult children with serious health difficulties;
- dependent parents who do not have other children in their country of origin or parents who are over 65 if their other children cannot provide support due to serious and proven health reasons.
To learn more about eligibility, detailed procedures, required documents, and rights, read our full article: Family Reunification to Italy.
4. Humanitarian Corridors
Humanitarian corridors are special humanitarian admission programmes that allow selected vulnerable refugees and vulnerable migrants to enter Italy from third countries. They are set up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of the Interior together with non-profit organizations like Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Tavola Valdese, Caritas Italiana, Federazione delle Chiese Evangeliche in Italia (FCEI), Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23) and ARCI, often in cooperation with UNHCR and IOM.
The program helps people who are at risk, including women with children, the elderly, victims of violence, or people with serious health problems. Once in Italy, the people selected by the associations apply for asylum to the Italian authorities, to be recognized as refugees.
Important: You cannot apply directly for a humanitarian corridor. The organizations select people in need and work with the Italian authorities to help them travel safely.
Once chosen, these organizations help with:
- Preparing travel documents
- Coordinating safe travel to Italy
- Supporting reception and integration upon arrival
5. Education and Labor Mobility for Refugees
Italy has progressively expanded safe and legal pathways through education and labour mobility, with specific programmes designed for refugees.
Education Mobility
Since 2019, access to higher education has been strengthened through the University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE) initiative, promoted by UNHCR, Italian universities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and civil society organisations. Through UNICORE, refugees are selected abroad and admitted to Italian universities with study visas and full scholarships, allowing them to continue their education safely and legally in Italy. More information on the programme is available on the official UNICORE website: https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/.
In addition to UNICORE, refugees interested in studying can explore other education and scholarship opportunities offered by higher education institutions, academic programmes, and scholarship schemes that are verified by UNHCR. These opportunities may include university degrees, postgraduate studies, and other accredited academic pathways. Verified opportunities are regularly published on UNHCR’s official opportunities portal, which helps refugees identify reliable and trustworthy programmes: https://services.unhcr.org/opportunities/.
Labor mobility
Alongside education, Italy has also developed labour mobility pathways for refugees. In 2023, Italy became one of the first European countries to implement refugee employment programmes within structured labour mobility schemes. One key initiative is ReadyForIT – Labour Pathways for Refugees, which connects refugees abroad with Italian companies in need of skilled workers, particularly in the IT and digital sectors. Refugees are selected, trained, and matched with employers before arrival, and then enter Italy with a work visa, promoting safe entry, self-reliance, and long-term inclusion. More information on this programme is available at: https://www.readyforit-laborpathways.it/en
6. Resettlement to Italy
Resettlement to Italy is a legal and protected pathway that allows refugees to be transferred safely from a country of first asylum to Italy, where they are granted international protection upon arrival. Resettlement takes place before travel, meaning that refugees enter Italy legally, safely, and with a secure status from the first day.
Refugees eligible for resettlement are identified and referred by UNHCR based on specific vulnerabilities or protection needs, such as serious medical conditions, risks related to safety, or lack of durable solutions in the country of first asylum. The final decision on admission is taken by the Italian Government, in cooperation with UNHCR. Individuals cannot apply for resettlement directly; selection is carried out by UNHCR through its offices in countries of first asylum.
Summary table of main safe pathways
After Arrival: Community Sponsorship and Local Support for Refugees
Once in Italy, adapting to a new country can be challenging. Community Sponsorship programmes support refugees after arrival, helping them settle into local communities. In Italy, these programmes are implemented by organisations such as Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Tavola Valdese, Caritas Italiana, Federazione delle Chiese Evangeliche in Italia (FCEI), Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23), ARCI, and Refugees Welcome. Community sponsorship programs are not aimed at helping people enter Italy or provide visas, but instead they help people adapt to life in Italy through housing support, language learning, social connections, and access to local services.
Stay tuned for a dedicated article explaining how Community Sponsorship works and how local support helps refugees build a new life in Italy.
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This article is written by Refugee.info Italy team and reviewed for accuracy by legal professionals.