Sports companies can now apply authorization to bring in foreign athletes

The Italian National Olympics Committee (Coni) has given green light to 1500 non-EU foreign athletes to come to the country in the 2008-2009 season.

Foreign footballers, basketball players, boxers, volley ballers, etc can apply under this scheme.
Coni is the body that decides the maximum number of foreign athletes who can come to Italy for work every year.

Sports companies that have identified talents abroad can submit an application to Coni. If there are still quotas available and with approval of the Provincial Police Headquarters, Coni will issue the permit and forward it to the Italian Embassy in the foreigner’s home country.

Once the athlete obtains the Visa, he/she will come to Italy and sign the work contract with the Sports Company that invited him/her and apply for Permit of Stay.

Obviously, as an employer, the Sports Company must make a commitment to provide sufficient means of support to the athlete throughout his/her stay in Italy.