Italy Announces 165,000 Work Visas After Major Changes to Immigration Rules

Milan: Italy, one of Europe’s top destinations for both tourists and foreign workers, has announced a major shift in its immigration policy aimed at supporting seasonal migrant laborers and addressing national labor shortages.

The new directive now allows seasonal workers to begin their jobs legally even before their work permits are officially approved. This change is intended to reduce exploitation, prevent income loss, and ensure legal employment during the permit transition process.

Key Changes for Seasonal Workers

Under the updated policy, seasonal migrants can start working as long as they meet certain requirements:

• Application Receipt: Workers must show proof that they’ve applied to convert their seasonal residence permit into a regular work permit.
• Job Filing: Employers must submit the Unilav employment form electronically.
• Social Security Registration: For domestic jobs, the employment must be registered with Italy’s social security agency (INPS).

This move ensures workers are entered into Italy’s formal employment system and protected under labor laws from day one, even if their paperwork is still being processed.

Before this change, migrants had to wait for their permit conversion before starting work legally—a gap that often forced them into informal jobs, exposing them to financial instability and exploitation. The new rule gives them legal standing while they wait, providing much-needed security.

Italy is also boosting its annual work visa quota. For 2025, the country plans to issue over 165,000 work visas, up from 151,000 in 2024 and 136,000 in 2023.

Of these, 93,550 visas will be set aside for seasonal workers, especially in agriculture and tourism—sectors that rely heavily on migrant labor.

Italy will also issue 10,000 visas for foreign care workers in 2025 due to rising demand driven by an aging population. The construction and healthcare industries are also set to benefit from this expansion.

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These updates are part of Italy’s three-year migration plan, designed to meet labor demands, reduce illegal work, and streamline the immigration process.

What Migrants Should Know

• Seasonal workers can now legally begin work during permit processing.
• Employers must comply with registration and documentation rules.
• Expanded visa quotas open new doors for foreign workers in 2025.