In a groundbreaking development, the Union Cabinet has recently given retrospective approval for India’s endorsement of the Migration and Mobility Agreement with Italy. This historic pact, signed on November 2 by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, aims to provide Indian students a distinctive opportunity – a one-year temporary residency in Italy post their studies for gaining professional experience.
The primary objective of this agreement is to fortify people-to-people connections and promote mobility among students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talents between India and Italy. It solidifies the existing Italian visa regime, incorporating mechanisms for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training, thereby giving India a competitive edge within the current labor mobility frameworks under the Flows Decree.
The agreement allocates residency for both seasonal and non seasonal
For Indian students aspiring to garner initial professional experience after their academic or vocational training in Italy, the agreement opens the door to temporary residency in the country for up to 12 months. Italy has outlined specific provisions related to professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships, providing a platform for Indian students and trainees to align with Italian skill and training standards.
According to reports, the agreement allocates quotas for non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers – 5,000, 6,000, and 7,000, as well as 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000, respectively, for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 under the current Flows Decree. This provision opens up further avenues for Indian workers to contribute to the Italian workforce and gain valuable international experience.
The agreement extends beyond student and worker mobility, formalizing joint efforts to advance mobility pathways through agreements on Youth Mobility. Additionally, it addresses the facilitation of the recruitment of Indian qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors. Cooperation between the two nations to combat irregular migration has been outlined and formalized in the statement as well.
To ensure effective implementation, the agreement establishes a joint working group, facilitating periodic meetings in virtual or physical modes. This mechanism aims to monitor and oversee the execution of the agreement, adding a layer of transparency and accountability to this milestone initiative between India and Italy.