Employers wishing to hire non-EU nationals to work in Italy this year should move quickly to submit their applications before the annual quota is met. The government published its annual decree on February 8th setting a limit of 30,850 non-seasonal permits, of which 22,000 are set aside for the conversion and renewal of various forms of existing permits. There is usually a heavy influx of applications as soon as the quotas are announced and applying for a permit in a timely manner increases the chances of success.