Follow our tips on how to find the perfect au pair / the perfect host family with connectAuPair.

An invitation letter is not present in the list of documents required to apply for a working holiday visa, on the other hand, it may be useful here to remind that is requested that applicants demonstrate that they have access to sufficient funds to finance their stay.

Among  other documents requested to those who are applying for a student visa for Italy there is the "Dichiarazione di Garanzia e/o alloggio" (proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation) which, in the case of an au pair student, may be filed by the (soon to be) host family.

It his mandatory for the host family to provide for the au pairs health, accident and maternity coverage (see also rules and regulations about this and liability insurance).

Information regarding the access of au pairs to the Italian national health care system can be found here in English (via Google translate) or in here in Italian

For cases in which the national health system is not a viable way and/or extra coverage is needed, there are private insurances which provide services that can be tailored to meet the needs of au pairs and their hosting family.

Here you can find some examples.

Health insurance/s is required to applicants in order to obtain the student visa. It may be also useful to remind here that likewise, in the case of au pairs, in Italy it his mandatory for the host family to provide an insurance that covers possible events of illness, maternity, accident (see also rules and regulations about this and liability insurance).

Information regarding the access of au pairs to Italian national health care system can be found in here in English (via Google translate) or in here in Italian

For cases in which the national health system is not a viable way and/or extra coverage is needed there are private insurances which provide services that can be tailored to meet the needs of au pairs and their host family.

Here you can find some examples.

Every year the embassy of Italy issues up to 250 working holiday visas to young New Zealand citizens aged between 18-30yrs.

The following requirements apply, according to the Italian embassy in Wellington

The applicant must;

- be a New Zealand citizen residing in New Zealand;
-satisfy the visa officer that his/her primary intention is to holiday in the Italian Republic, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the
visit;
- be aged between 18 and 30 years inclusive at the time of application;
- not be accompanied by children;
- be the holder of a valid New Zealand passport;
- hold a return ticket or have additional sufficient funds to purchase same;
- have sufficient funds for his/her maintenance for the period of the one year stay in Italy, in accordance with Italian national laws in force;
- pay the prescribed working holiday visa application fee;
- have a full insurance policy with unlimited medical and hospital coverage valid for the entire duration of stay

Moreover

The visa will be issued for one year during which time the applicant may work for a total of six months but no more than three months with the same employer. Within 8 days of arrival in Italy the holder of the Working Holiday visa will have to request the Residency permit (Permesso di Residenza) at the local “Questura” (Police)

The applicant/s is/are required to sign the visa application form in front of anEmbassy Officer (if residing in Wellington) or a J.P.(Justice of Peace) if living elsewhere in New Zealand, and courier the visa application form and related documentation to the Embassy of Italy, 34-38 Grant Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 at least three weeks prior to departure together with:                             

- a passport size photograph;
- certificate of insurance with schedule of benefits policy confirming full unlimited medical and hospital coverage for the entire validity of the visa (or up to Euro 30.000);
- a credit card statement in the applicant’s name showing the amount of NZ$ 5,500.00 or an international bank draft made payable to the applicant in Euros for the
equivalent of NZ$ 5,500.00. Please add an extra NZ$ 1000.00 if return ticket has not
been purchased;
- bank cheque in NZ$ (not personal cheque) payable to the Italian Embassy to cover the visa consular fee (see Consular Fees “Visto nazionale per soggiorni di lunga durata”);
- travel itinerary/copy of airline ticket showing point of entry to Italy;
- passport valid for a further three months after date of departure;
-confirmation of hotel reservations or of alternative accomodation with addresses (eg: letter
of Italian national attesting offer of accommodation and photocopy of his/her Italian passport data ICAO-page wih
signature);
- self addressed courier envelope for the safe return of the passport;
- contact telephone number and home address.

Applicants are then required to indicate in the request form the place of entry in Italy

Please keep in mind that;

The applicant must enter Italy within 3 months from the date of issue of the visa; if not, it will automatically expire and will no longer be able to be used.

For any further information please visit the provided links plus the page dedicated to visa forms of the Italian embassy in New Zealand or call the visa office at 64 (0)4 494 7178.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site offers a very useful tool to determine what formalities are requested to obtain a student visa to enter Italy. Here we will provide an example of what could be typically required. In order to define what is needed in your specific case, we invite you to visit the Ministry pages and contact your local Italian diplomatic/consular representation.

Documents and forms:

•  Entry visa application form ( View )
•  recent passport-size photograph 
•  valid travel document whose expiry date is three months longer than that of the visa requested 
•  proof that the applicant has accommodation in Italy: hotel booking, declaration of hospitality  
•  proof that the applicant has sufficient means of subsistence for their stay in Italy, for an amount not lower than that specified in Table A annexed to the Directive of the Ministry of the Interior dated 1st March 2000 (View )
•  health insurance, if the foreign national is not entitled to health care in Italy by virtue of agreements or conventions enforced in their country 
•  enrolment or pre-enrolment in the course to be followed in Italy 

About the last point, it is a common practice of the language schools to ask for a full payment in advance for the entire language course in order to provide the papers to present to Italian consular representation. Normally, the full amount is refunded in case of visa rejection (administrative fees may be charged - communication of rejection must be presented timely and before the course start date, also a refund may be refused in case of abandonment of the course), for detailed information please contact the school of your choice

Please consider that sometimes the time needed for the issue of a student visa could exceed 90 days, make sure to timely plan (also, in case, with the help of your school and future hosting family) your course and au pair experience accordingly.

• See driving licence below in order to know which related paperwork may be needed to drive in Italy.

The trip will normally be organized by the au pair, of course in accordance with the host family.

Even when everything is clear and all questions are asked, it's good to stay in touch until the journey starts - it's important that also the children get to know that a new au pair is coming and communicating from time to time through Skype is a good way to get used to each other.

What to take with you as au pair? In our community you can find tips from other au pairs!

Please note: Border authorities may examine whether the prerequisites for entry continue to apply. This examination is international practice. The au pair might be refused entry even though (s)he is in the possession of a valid visa, if the prerequisites for entry no longer apply.

Therefore the au pair should carry with him/her documents giving evidence to the purpose of the stay - in particular proof of sufficient funds (au pair contract) and health insurance.

Although it's not mandatory, normally the host family picks up the au pair from the airport or train station (or organizes a pick-up).

The first days should then be reserved for getting to know each other and introducing the au pair to the family's daily routines.

You are not sure how to welcome your au pair and which rules you should define? Have a look at our tipps and discuss with other families in our community!

You are feeling homesick, the kids don't seem to like you and you just feel like returning home asap? Get comfort and tipps from other au pairs in our community!
And with our nearBy function you can immediately see which other au pairs live nearby and can meet with them.

Au pairs which are European Union citizens can stay in Italy up to three months without any conditions or any formalities other than the possession of an identity document valid for foreign travel. Nevertheless, they are given the possibility to prove they have not entered Italy from more than three months through a declaration of presence to be presented to a police station.

Host families are in any case required, within 48 hours of the au pair arrival,  to present to the local  "Questura" (Police headquarters) the "dichiarazione di ospitalità" (hospitality declaration, to be signed and accompanied by a copy of the declarer id card, here you can find a specimen but please note that the actual form used by your local Questura will be needed).

For stays over three months, European Union citizens are required to enroll at the registry office of the municipality of residence. In order to do so they, typically, must:

• present their passport
•  declare to have sufficient funds to support their stay 
• declare their address of habitual residence
• present the au pair contract
• produce proof of health insurance coverage
• present their tax code number (codice fiscale - to be obtained from the local branch of the revenue agency  Agenzia delle entrate)
• 2 x 16 € stamp duty 

The local registry offices may require additional documentation, so it could be useful to contact them in advance in order to define the steps of the actual procedure.

Host families are required, within 48 hours of the au pair arrival, to present to the local  "Questura" (Police headquarters) the "dichiarazione di ospitalità" (hospitality declaration, to be signed and accompanied by a copy of the declarer id card, here you can find a specimen but please note that the actual form used by your local Questura will be needed).

Within 8 working days of arrival in Italy, the holder of the working holiday visa must go to the Questura in the province where he/she intends to reside in order to apply for the “permesso di soggiorno”(residence permit). 

Here will have to be presented the receipt of the "richiesta di idoneità alloggiativa" (a document that shows that the accommodation is suitable), this can be obtained by the host family in the case of the au pairs, from the municipality or the "Asl - azienda sanitaria locale", moreover the above mentioned "dichiarazione di ospitalità" must be presented.

The application for residence permit is to be made using the special application form available at the Questura and must contain, normally, the following: 

• personal data
• the place where the applicant intends to reside
• reason for the stay (“e.g. "vacanza lavoro" -  working holiday)
• 4 photographs
• 1 x 16 € stamp duty
• photocopy of the passport and of the “working holidays” visa
• a copy of a health/accident insurance

An 80 € fee has to be paid in order to obtain the "permesso di soggiorno".

 Additionally, the following documents are to be presented: 

• the passport endorsed with the entry visa for “working holidays”
• the documentation showing proof of the necessary financial means, which will have already been presented to the diplomatic/consular office where the visa was issued. 

Please note that further documentation may be requested, to integrate the file (e.g. a clean bill of health), at authorities discretion, also be aware that if not registered to the "anagrafe" (registry office) the holder of the "permesso di soggiorno" is expected to communicate to the "Questura" any change of address within 15 days.

After having examined the documentation and ascertained the identity of the applicant, the officer assigned with processing the applications will release a confirmation of receipt of the application, indicating the day on which the “permesso di soggiorno” can be collected.

This confirmation of receipt is sufficient to start the procedure to obtain a work permit.

Information regarding the progress of the file can be obtained here while information regarding how and when the "permesso di soggiorno" can be collected can be found here.

The procedure to obtain the "permesso di soggiorno" can be also initiated at post offices, patronati (aid societies) and municipalities which are qualified to do so. Procedure and costs vary slightly from the above mentioned but in any case, a visit to the "Questura" is required, more information can be found here.

Once obtained the "Permesso di soggiorno", it is possible, if so desired (e.g. to access services reserved to residents), to file a request to the "Comune" (municipality of residence) to obtain the residence registration.

In order to do so, the au pairs are normally required to

• present their passport
• present the residence permit
•  declare to have sufficient funds to support their stay 
• declaration of habitual residence
•  the au pair contract
• produce proof of health insurance coverage

As operative procedures may vary slightly from one municipality to another, we suggest in any case to visit the local "ufficio anagrafe comunale" (registry office) prior to starting the procedure.

Please be aware that after the validity period of the “permesso di soggiorno” (residence permit) has expired, the holder of a “working holiday” visa must leave the country: the “permesso di soggiorno” is in fact not renewable, nor able to be converted to another type of residence permit. 

Host families are required, within 48 hours of the au pair student arrival, to present to the local  "Questura" (Police headquarters) the "dichiarazione di ospitalità" (hospitality declaration, to be signed and accompanied by a copy of the declarer id card, here you can find a specimen but please note that the actual form used by your local Questura will be needed).

Within 8 working days of arrival in Italy, the holder of the student visa must go to the Questura in the province where he/she intends to reside in order to apply for the “permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio” (residence permit for study reasons). 

Here will have to be presented the receipt of the "richiesta di idoneità alloggiativa" (a document that shows that the accommodation is suitable), this can be obtained by the host family in the case of the au pair students , from the municipality or the "Asl - azienda sanitaria locale", moreover the above mentioned "dichiarazione di ospitalità" must be presented.

The application for residence permit is to be made using the special application form available at the Questura and must contain, normally, the following: 

• personal data
• the place where the applicant intends to reside
• reason for the stay (“e.g. "motivi di studio" -  study reasons)
• 4 photographs
• 1 x 16 € stamp duty
• photocopy of the passport and of the study  visa
• a copy of a health/accident insurance

An 80 € fee has to be paid in order to obtain the "permesso di soggiorno".

 Additionally, the following documents are to be presented: 

• the passport endorsed with the entry visa for “motivi di studio”
• the documentation showing proof of the necessary financial means, which will have already been presented to the diplomatic/consular office where the visa was issued. 

Please note that further documentation may be requested, to integrate the file (e.g. a clean bill of health), at authorities discretion, also be aware that if not registered to the "anagrafe" (registry office) the holder of the "permesso di soggiorno" is expected to communicate to the "Questura" any change of address within 15 days.

After having examined the documentation and ascertained the identity of the applicant, the officer assigned with processing the applications will release a confirmation of receipt of the application, indicating the day on which the “permesso di soggiorno” can be collected.

Information regarding the progress of the file can be obtained here while information regarding how and when the "permesso di soggiorno" can be collected can be found here.

The procedure to obtain the "permesso di soggiorno" can also be initiated at post offices, patronati (aid societies) and municipalities which are qualified to do so, procedure and costs vary slightly from the above mentioned but in any case, a visit to the "Questura" is required, more information can be found here.

Once the "Permesso di soggiorno" is obtained, it is possible, if so desired (e.g. to access services reserved to residents), to file a request to the "Comune" (municipality of residence) to obtain the residence registration.

In order to do so, the au pair students are normally required to

• present their passport
• present the residence permit
•  declare to have sufficient funds to support their stay 
• declaration of habitual residence
•  the au pair contract
• produce proof of health insurance coverage

As operative procedures may vary slightly from one municipality to another, we suggest in any case to visit the local "ufficio anagrafe comunale" (registry office) prior to starting the procedure.

Please be aware that the “permesso di soggiorno per studio” obtained to attend a language course is de facto not renewable. 

After having filed for a residence permit, the au pair who came to Italy for a working holiday must submit the request for the "Nulla osta al lavoro" (work permit) through the dedicated page on the "Ministero dell'interno (the Italian Ministry of the interior)" site. Also, communication to authorities of the au pair employment must be given by the host family at least the day before it takes place, this can be done through this site. The host family employing the au pair must declare that he/she is provided with accommodation and that they will refund any possible expense to the Italian government should any incur for its repatriation.

Please note that the "Nulla osta al lavoro" must be obtained anytime the au pair starts a new job.

Please remind that, student visa holders are in Italy allowed to work up to 1040 hrs per annum (e.g. 20 hrs per week for a year or 40 hrs per week for 6 months, still, when employed as au pairs, they cannot exceed 30 hrs per week, also as students they have to reserve at least 20 hrs per week to the Italian language course). More generally, since it is a combination of two different experiences (being a student and an au pair), the legal limits that apply to each of them overlap one another, with the most restrictive one prevailing.

Please also note that communication to authorities of the student/au pair employment must be given by the host family at least the day before it takes place, this can be done through this site. The host family employing an au pair must declare that this is provided with accommodation and that they will refund any possible expense the Italian government should incur for its repatriation.

We couldn't find any official regulation regarding the need of a bank account for au pairs in Italy.

Should the au pair wish to open one, there are several opportunities:

• an au pair resident in Italy which holds an Italian tax code number (codice fiscale) can open a bank account under the same conditions applied to Italian citizens
• an au pair non-resident in Italy can open a "conto corrente estero/internazionale" a so-called international bank account, this will operate with several limits and in the currency of the au pair's country, this meaning that among the extra costs that come with this particular bank account, the cost of currency conversion will be also applied when needed.

An au pair who holds a valid and unrestricted European driving licence and meets the required age can drive in Italy.

However it may be required, to convert it to an Italian driving licence following a traffic offence, or when residing in Italy for more than two years and being in possession of a driving licence with no expiration (e.g. a German driving permit).

It is, in any case, advisable to contact the local branch of the "Motorizzazione Civile" (Traffic Control Authority) for detailed instructions on this matter.

The au pair (who does not hold a European driving licence) can drive, in case he/she has not been residing in Italy for more than a year, with his/her driving permit, but it must be accompanied by a certified translation into Italian, or with an international driving licence. In any case it is advisable to contact the local branch of the "Motorizzazione Civile" (Traffic Control Authority) for detailed instructions on this matter.

Have a look at our tips, how to change family!

Should the au pair change the family, and thus address, it is requested, within 20 days of moving, to update his/her residence through the registry office of the municipality of (new) residence.

In order to do so, they must 

• show a valid I.D. card or passport along with their previous residency certificate
• fill in the form requesting the change of residency

Please note that the signature from the host family is also required.

An au pair who changes family (and thus address), must give formal communication to the authorities.

To update the "permesso di soggiorno" (residence permit), the au pair must submit a request through any postal office that offers the "sportello amico" service (call the  803.160 or visit this site in order to discover the nearest to your location) using the "modulo a banda gialla" (yellow stripe module) reserved to non-EU citizens.

Help in writing up the request can also be obtained by a patronato (aid society) or the local council.

The envelope that contains the request and that must be delivered open must contain the following items:

• a copy of the residence permit which has to be updated
• a paid postal order of the amount 27.50 € payable to Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze – Dipartimento del Tesoro

As soon as the request is presented, provided the applicant's identity has been ascertained through a passport, a receipt is issued. 

Subsequently, the au pair is convened two times, through a registered letter, to the immigration offices of the local Questura (police headquarters). The first time will be for completing the procedure started at the post office (so the applicant must hand over 4 pictures with white background and show the original of documentation submitted through the post office in order to be identified), the second time will be for the delivery of updated residence permit.

The costs:

• above mentioned postal order of 27.50 €
• tax stamp of 14.62 € to be applied on the request
• 30 € payment to the post office for forwarding the request

Upon presentation of the request, by the post office is provided, along with the receipt, a user id (hologram code number) and password (number of registered letter) that can be subsequently used to have information on the state of the request (this can be done either calling 848.855.888 or visiting this site).

General information and explanation regarding the procedure can also be obtained through the number 800.309.309 (in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Arabic)

In case the of au pairs which are also enrolled in the civil registry (anagrafe) they  must request the update of the residence through the registry office of the municipality of (new) residence, this must be done within 20 days of the change of residency.

In order to do so, they must: 

• show their "permesso di soggiorno" (residence permit along with their passport and, when applicable, the visa
• fill in the form with the request for change of residency

Please note that a signature by a member of the host family, which has title to do so, is also required.

Official communication must be given to the authorities anytime the au pair starts his employment with a family (thus also in the case of moving from one family to another, this is not uncommon in working holidays au pair since they are only allowed to be employed for a maximum period of three months with the same family). Also, communication must be given from the former family, once the au pair has moved away. These communications to authorities can be given through this site. 

Additional to these communications, new families that are employing the au pair must give information, on the request for the "nullaosta al lavoro", regarding the previous employment(s) of the au pair (please remind that a total limit of 6 months of work is set for working holiday visa holders).

The above-mentioned procedures must be followed any time the au pair student should change family (thus residence and employer).  In the same way, communication must be given from the former family, once the au pair has moved.  

Au pairs that have registered their residence through the "anagrafe" (registry office) of the "Comune" (municipality of residence) should similarly de-register through it. In case the au pair was not registered to the "anagrafe" the communication of address variation should be given to the "Questura".

Also consider the following, especially when the au pair leaves earlier than planned:

• Cancel standing order for pocket money
• Cancel au pair insurance