Web Desk: Italy will issue 10,500 work visas to skilled and semi-skilled workers from Pakistan over the next three years, officials said following high-level talks in Rome aimed at expanding legal migration channels and strengthening security cooperation.
The commitment emerged during meetings between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi. Both sides focused on managing migration flows, combating transnational crime and deepening bilateral coordination.
Under the arrangement, Italy will recruit 3,500 Pakistani workers annually from 2026 through 2028. The quota includes 1,500 seasonal positions and 2,000 non-seasonal roles each year, creating a structured pathway for lawful employment.
Officials said the agreement is designed to curb irregular migration by widening access to regulated labor mobility. By creating predictable recruitment channels, both governments aim to reduce the influence of human smuggling networks while addressing labor shortages in key sectors of the Italian economy.
The positions will span hospitality, healthcare, agriculture and technical trades, including welding, ship-related industrial work, nursing and food services. Authorities said the program will accommodate both skilled and semi-skilled applicants.
In addition to labor mobility, the ministers discussed closer collaboration on counter-narcotics operations, anti-trafficking initiatives and counterterrorism measures. They pledged coordinated action against organized networks involved in illegal immigration and human smuggling.
Italy reaffirmed its intention to broaden cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual concern. During the talks, the Pakistani side requested visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports. Italian officials indicated the proposal remains under consideration as part of ongoing discussions.
Meanwhile, both governments agreed to reconvene the Pakistan-Italy Joint Working Group in Islamabad in February 2026 to review progress and explore further avenues of cooperation.
Officials described the labor agreement as one of the largest structured job allocations by a European country for Pakistani workers in recent years. They said the initiative is expected to support workforce development, boost remittance flows and strengthen bilateral ties between Rome and Islamabad.
