India-Italy Accord: 12-Month Extension for Indian Students and 12,000 Worker Quota under Migration Agreement

Italy has set aside quotas for non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers, with provisions for 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000 non-seasonal workers and 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 seasonal workers in the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively

The Union Cabinet has granted post-facto approval to the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and Italy, bolstering ties and opening avenues for increased student mobility and employment opportunities for Indian nationals in Italy.

The agreement seeks to foster closer people-to-people contacts and facilitate the mobility of students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talents between the two nations. It aims to address issues related to irregular migration while promoting educational and professional cooperation.

The key highlight of this agreement is the provision granting Indian students extended residency rights in Italy for up to 12 months after completing their studies. This extension allows students to gain valuable professional experience in Italy, enhancing their career prospects.

The pact, signed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, ensures that Indian students can access additional opportunities for professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships in Italy.

Moreover, the agreement solidifies the existing Italian visa regime for India, guaranteeing mechanisms for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training. It secures an advantageous position for India under the current labour mobility pathways, offering a strategic edge for Indian workers seeking employment in Italy.

Italy has set aside quotas for non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers, with provisions for 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000 non-seasonal workers and 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 seasonal workers in the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively, under the existing Flows Decree.

The Flows Decree is instrumental in determining the visa quotas for non-EU citizens, providing avenues for employment, self-employment, and seasonal work in Italy.

Additionally, the agreement aims to formalize collaborations in healthcare and medical services, facilitating the employment of professionals in these sectors and addressing irregular migration from India to Italy.

This strategic pact is poised to deepen the bilateral relationship between India and Italy, creating a favorable environment for educational exchanges, skill development, and professional growth, benefiting both nations in fostering stronger ties in the realms of education, employment, and migration.