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Working in Italy After Graduation: The Permit for Job Search

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Italy lets non-EU graduates stay after a degree to look for work, but the route is short and defined by a single article of the immigration law. This guide explains that article, article 39-bis.1 of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Legislative Decree 286/1998), and what it leaves open. The text is short, and the practical procedure is set by the police and employment services, so confirm the current steps with the immigration office (Questura) in your city before you plan around them.

Who it applies to

EU citizens do not need a residence permit in Italy, so this is for students from other countries who hold a study permit. How you got it is in the student visa guide for Italy. The article applies to foreign students who obtained a degree in Italy, and the law lists the qualifications.

What the article says

A foreign student with a valid passport who has obtained one of the following in Italy:

can, when the study permit expires, declare immediate availability to work. The declaration is made to the employment services, together with participation in active labour policy measures. The student can then request a permit of 9 to 12 months to look for work or to start a business consistent with the training received. The law adds that a conversion into a work permit can be requested if the conditions of the Consolidated Act are met.

Conditions

The request depends on two requirements from the same law:

The documents proving income, insurance and the qualification are attached to the application. If the proof of the qualification is not available yet, it can be submitted within 60 days of the permit request.

Keep the study permit in order

The route starts from your study permit, so what happens to that permit matters. According to the ministerial procedures for international students (2026/27 and 2027/28), the study permit is renewed for the whole year, at least 60 days before it expires, and renewal depends on exam results: one assessment passed in the first year and at least two in later years. The same document says that formally withdrawing from your studies ends the conditions for staying and leads to revocation of the permit. A graduate who finishes on time with a permit in force is in the position the article describes, so plan your exams and your graduation date together.

When it is refused or withdrawn

The permit is not issued, or is revoked if already issued, in two cases: when the documents were obtained fraudulently, falsified or counterfeited, and when you did not meet or no longer meet the conditions above or other entry and stay conditions of the Consolidated Act. This is why you must keep your documents consistent and your insurance in force during the whole period.

What the law text does not say

The article does not give amounts or forms. Before you rely on this route, ask the Questura or the competent employment service:

Do not leave these questions to the final month: the request is made when the current permit expires, and your document set must be complete.

Practical plan

  1. In your final semester, note the expiry date of your study permit and ask the university when it can issue the degree certificate or proof of completion.
  2. Keep your health insurance valid and keep proof of your funds.
  3. Ask the Questura how the declaration of availability is made in your city.
  4. Prepare your documents, and keep the 60-day option for the diploma in mind.
  5. Search for work in your field, and keep records of applications.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.