Italy has confirmed the issuance of 10,500 work visas for skilled Pakistani workers, enhancing bilateral cooperation and promoting legal migration. The agreement also includes visa-free entry for Pakistani diplomats.
Matteo Piantedosi has reaffirmed Italy’s decision to issue more than 10,000 work visas to skilled Pakistani workers, describing the move as part of efforts to promote “legal migration” and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The assurance was given during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Rome, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s interior ministry.
Under an agreement reached between Pakistan and Italy in December last year, Italy allocated a labour quota of 10,500 for Pakistani workers. The workers are to be employed in various sectors, including shipbreaking, hospitality, healthcare and agriculture.
As per the arrangement, 3,500 Pakistani workers will secure overseas employment each year under both seasonal and non-seasonal quotas, facilitating a structured and regulated pathway for migration.
During the meeting, both sides also agreed to allow visa-free entry to Italian territory for holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports. The statement said the decision was taken at Mr Naqvi’s request, with the Italian minister recalling that the matter had been raised in a previous interaction.
The two ministers reviewed cooperation in internal security and discussed measures to curb illegal immigration. Talks also focused on enhancing collaboration to combat narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism.
Mr Naqvi briefed his Italian counterpart on steps taken by the Pakistani government to address illegal migration, stating that strict monitoring at airports and maritime borders had resulted in a significant reduction in such activities. He highlighted coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle human smuggling networks.
The Italian minister appreciated Pakistan’s policies to counter illegal immigration and commended the performance of Pakistani institutions in tackling human smuggling and drug trafficking. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to promote safe and legal migration channels while strengthening joint action against transnational crime.
Officials from Punjab Police also gave a briefing on the Police Khidmat Markaz Global initiative, outlining its role in facilitating overseas Pakistanis and improving service delivery.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, Federal Investigation Agency Director General Dr. Usman Anwar, Punjab Safe City Authority Managing Director Ahsan Younas, and other senior police officials were present at the meeting.
Reference Link:- https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/02/25/italy-to-issue-10500-work-visas-to-skilled-pakistanis-visa-free-entry-for-diplomatic-passport-holders-agreed