In a significant development, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Migration and Mobility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Italian Republic. This agreement, signed on November 2, represents a move that extends opportunities, empowering Indian students in Italy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Indian students completing academic or vocational training in Italy will now be eligible for an additional 12-month stay in the country to gain initial professional experience. Previously, this provision applied only to those holding master’s degrees or PhDs.
The primary aim of this bilateral agreement is to enhance people-to-people contacts and promote mobility among students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talents between India and Italy. This move strengthens the existing Italian visa regime, incorporating mechanisms for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training.
The agreement opens up avenues for Indian students to pursue professional experience after their studies, providing a temporary residence in Italy for up to one year. Italy has also outlined specific provisions related to professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships, aligning Indian students with Italian skill and training standards.
Beyond student mobility, the agreement formalizes joint efforts to advance mobility pathways through agreements on Youth Mobility. Notably, it addresses the facilitation of recruitment of Indian qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors. Cooperation between the two nations to combat irregular migration has also been outlined and formalized in the statement.
Furthermore, the agreement allocates quotas for non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers, signaling an opportunity for Indian workers to contribute to the Italian workforce and gain valuable international experience. The provision outlines quotas for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, enhancing labor mobility pathways under the current Flows Decree.
This agreement reflects a mutual commitment to fostering stronger ties between India and Italy, not only in the realm of education but also in creating avenues for professional growth and collaboration. The announcement marks a positive step toward enhancing opportunities for Indian students and workers in the international landscape.
