Italian consular representatives are responsible for processing visas. To obtain an entry visa, an application must be filed with the visa department along with a number of documents. The issuance of the visa is at the discretion of these diplomatic authorities, meaning that, under the applicable laws, the consular representations are entitled to discretionally ask for any additional information or documents they deem necessary to evaluate the application.

Many visa applications first require an approved work permit petition (nulla osta) by the prospective Italian employer, filed with the Italian immigration office through a dedicated public office (sportello unico per l'immigrazione) responsible for many aspects of the immigration process, along with a number of documents. The issuance of the nulla osta is at the immigration office's discretion.

The immigration office processes work permit applications through the local labor office (Ufficio Territoriale del Lavoro) and the nulla osta through the foreign national's local Bureau of Police Headquarters (Questura), which also handles residence permits (permesso di soggiorno) after arrival in Italy.