Italy to grant 10,500 visas for skilled Pakistani workers, waives visa for diplomats

Announcement has been made during a high-level meeting in Rome between Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi as both sides focused on bilateral cooperation in internal security, illegal migration and related issues  

ROME: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Feb 25^th, 2026) In a major development for legal migration between Pakistan and Italy, the Italian government has announced that it will provide 10,500 visas for skilled Pakistani workers.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting in Rome between Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi as both sides focused on bilateral cooperation in internal security, illegal migration and related issues.

During the discussions, Piantedosi confirmed that Pakistani diplomatic passport holders would be exempted from visa requirements, responding to a request previously made by Mohsin Naqvi. Both ministers highlighted the importance of legal migration programs as a means to strengthen economic ties while addressing migration challenges.

The meeting also included an in-depth review of collaboration against drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism. Both ministers praised Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal migration, emphasizing that stringent monitoring at airports and maritime borders has significantly reduced unauthorized movements.

Mohsin Naqvi briefed his Italian counterpart on Pakistan’s proactive measures, saying, “Through strict surveillance and coordinated operations at entry points, Pakistan has managed to curb illegal migration effectively.” He also highlighted the country’s broader security and law enforcement initiatives to tackle human smuggling and organized crime.

Minister Piantedosi appreciated Pakistan’s approach, calling it a model for effective policy implementation against illegal migration, human trafficking, and narcotics smuggling. He stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation to further promote legal migration channels and expressed Italy’s readiness to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest with Pakistan.

The agreement on skilled worker visas and diplomatic exemptions is expected to facilitate greater workforce mobility and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely to ensure safe, regulated, and mutually beneficial migration flows.