Case: Aleksandra is a Russian pianist, she attended and graduated from the prestigious Čajkovskij conservatory of Moscow, obtaining a second-level diploma in piano. Aleksandra is currently residing in Moscow but she has been offered an appealing job opportunity from a well known theatre in Rome that has identified her profile as particularly interesting and that, in light of her peculiar style and artistic skills, intends to hire her to be the main pianist for the upcoming yearly classical music season.
Question: what are the options for Aleksandra to obtain a work visa and a residence permit for Italy that would allow her to be hired by the Roman theatre and move to Italy?
Solution: Considering that Aleksandra is a higlhy-qualified musician, who completed a course of studies at a recognized music institute and obtained a diploma, she might find particularly interesting and appealing for her case the Italian work and residence permit for artists and performers.
This particular residence permit was introduced into Italian Immigration Law by means of article 27, paragraph 1, letter o) of Legislative Decree 286/98 and it can be applied for by those third-country nationals who intend to be employed by an Italian company, theatre or academic institution as artists or performers to take part in cultural and artistic events or concerts.
In order to start off the procedure for the obtainment of the above-mentioned residence permit, the Italian theatre that wants to hire Aleksandra shall file, in person of its legal representative, a nominative request for the issuance of the work authorization (nulla osta al lavoro) to the compent agency of the Italian Ministry of Labour (ANPAL – Agenzia Nazionale per le Politiche Attive del Lavoro), and submit all the necessary supporting documents, among which the most crucial are:
- Aleksandra’s diploma, issued by the conservatory in Moscow, duly translated into Italian with sworn translation and endorsed in front of the Italian Embassy or Consulate; and
depending on whether or not the Italian employer is registered with the competent Companies’ Register:
- business registration report of the Italian employer; or
- Italian employer’s deed of incorportation and By-Laws.
Once the nulla osta has been issued by the competent labour authorities, Aleksandra will be entitled to apply for an entry visa for subordinate work purposes at the Italian Embassy in Moscow. With the entry visa duly stamped on her passport, she will be able to travel to Italy and, within 8 days from her arrival, she will be requested to file the application for the issuance of the Italian residence permit by submitting the so-called “postal kit” through the Post Office.
Aleksandra’s residence permit will have an initial duration of no more than 1 (one) year and it could be renewed, before the expiration, for futher periods of 1 year, on the sole condition that the same Italian theatre intends to extend the employment relationship with Aleksandra.
The Italian law expressly provides that, during the validity of her residence permit, Aleksandra will be neither allowed to change employer nor to work in a different industry.