Italy to issue nearly 500 work visas to foreigners

Italy will grant 497.550 work visas to foreigners from outside the European Union between 2026 and 2028. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government on Tuesday, July 1.

The goal is to expand legal immigration channels to meet the shortage of workers in sectors such as agriculture and tourism. Around 2026 authorizations are expected to be issued by 165.

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More than half of the visas, around 267, will be allocated to seasonal workers, mainly for harvesting in the fields and activities in the tourism sector.

Coldiretti, the main entity of the Italian agribusiness, classified the measure as an “important step to guarantee workers in the field and in food production”.

On the other hand, trade unionist Maria Grazia Gabrielli, from the CGIL central, criticized the plan. According to her, only 7,5% to 7,8% of visa quotas have been converted into residence permits in the last two years.

Gabrielli also pointed out flaws in the requirement of priority for countries that collaborate in the fight against human trafficking. She advocates a structural reform to facilitate legal hiring and protect workers from criminal networks.