Italy To Grant 10,500 Visas to Pakistani Workers

ROME—Italy pledged to issue 10,500 work visas to skilled Pakistani laborers over the next three years, offering a legal pathway amid rising irregular migration from Pakistan to Europe.

The announcement came Tuesday during high-level talks in Rome between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Italian counterpart, Matteo Piantedosi.

Piantedosi hailed the quota as a boost for Italy’s labor needs in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and shipbuilding, while curbing illegal routes.

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Under the Decreto Flussi program, Italy will allocate 3,500 visas annually through 2026-2028—1,500 for seasonal jobs and 2,000 for non-seasonal roles.

Recruitment will flow through government-approved channels to ensure fair selection.

The deal also greenlights visa-free travel for Pakistani diplomatic passport holders, a win Naqvi pushed in prior meetings.

Both ministers spotlighted joint efforts against human smuggling, drug trafficking, and terrorism, with Piantedosi praising Pakistan’s tightened airport and border checks.

Naqvi called the quota a “milestone” for regulated migration, urging workers to seize legitimate opportunities over risky sea crossings. Italy’s move marks one of Europe’s largest dedicated quotas for Pakistanis, potentially easing pressure on bilateral ties strained by migrant flows.

As details firm up, Pakistani officials eye streamlined applications via Protectorates of Emigrants. The pact underscores deepening security and economic collaboration between the two nations.