Italy, one of the world’s leading industrial and tourism-driven nations, has announced a plan to recruit around 500,000 foreign workers over the next 3 years to address persistent labour shortages.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government said the new sponsor visa process will be more rigorous, ensuring that only skilled workers and verified employers can participate. Employers must submit complete and authentic documentation, or their applications will be rejected.
Under the new 3-year immigration framework (Decreto Flussi 2026–2028), approved on 4 July, 2025, Italy’s Council of Ministers authorised 497,550 work permits for 38 non-European countries- the highest number in its history.
Applications for sponsor visas can be submitted from 9am on 23 October until 7 December. For the next phase, “Click Day” for 2026 applicants will be held on 12 January, 9 February, 16 February, and 18 February and pre-registered applicants can submit online forms at 9am.
A total of 230,550 permits will cover non-seasonal jobs for skilled professionals- healthcare, construction, and technical professions- and the self-employed, while 267,000 will go to seasonal roles in agriculture and tourism.
The reform marks a shift from annual quotas to a multi-year migration plan, promoting predictability, easing relocation, and encouraging legal migration. The initiative is backed by over €107 million in funding to support visa processing and integration programmes.
Officials say automated verification of both employer and worker information will reduce exploitation and ease the visa process for Bangladeshi applicants. By opening around 500,000 legal opportunities, Italy aims to fill labour gaps and strengthen its economy through managed migration.
Bangladeshi expatriates have cautioned potential applicants to remain vigilant against fraud. They said, “The Giorgia Meloni government has imposed very strict laws. Visas will only be issued if employers provide 100% verifiable information; otherwise, they will not.”
