Interior ministers from Italy, Spain, Greece and Pakistan met in Rome on 26 February and endorsed a joint strategy that emphasises expanding legal migration channels to undermine smuggling networks. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the parties finalised a rapid-response framework covering information-sharing, capacity-building and the repatriation of criminals.(dawn.com)
Pakistan highlighted a 47 percent drop in irregular departures following recent crackdowns and secured European support for further training and technology. For Italy, the pact complements its ‘Decreto Flussi’ quota system and could channel more South Asian skilled workers into sectors facing shortages, while deterring dangerous sea crossings.(dawn.com)
![Italy Hosts Four-Nation Meeting in Rome, Agrees on Legal Pathways to Combat Irregular Migration]()
VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service, can help businesses and individuals navigate the evolving Italian immigration landscape by offering real-time updates on entry requirements and end-to-end assistance with work-permit applications through its dedicated Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/). Leveraging such support can streamline paperwork and minimise delays while the new legal migration pathways take shape.
Although details on new visa categories were not announced, mobility professionals should watch for pilot programmes that pair skills assessments with streamlined Italian work permits—an approach similar to Italy’s existing agreements with Tunisia and Morocco. Companies recruiting IT or engineering talent from Pakistan may benefit from faster processing once bilateral mechanisms are in place.(dawn.com)
The ministers will reconvene in Islamabad later in 2026 to assess progress. Businesses with regional mobility portfolios should track any resulting amendments to Italy’s quota decrees or investor-visa rules.(dawn.com)
Pakistan highlighted a 47 percent drop in irregular departures following recent crackdowns and secured European support for further training and technology. For Italy, the pact complements its ‘Decreto Flussi’ quota system and could channel more South Asian skilled workers into sectors facing shortages, while deterring dangerous sea crossings.(dawn.com)
VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service, can help businesses and individuals navigate the evolving Italian immigration landscape by offering real-time updates on entry requirements and end-to-end assistance with work-permit applications through its dedicated Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/). Leveraging such support can streamline paperwork and minimise delays while the new legal migration pathways take shape.
Although details on new visa categories were not announced, mobility professionals should watch for pilot programmes that pair skills assessments with streamlined Italian work permits—an approach similar to Italy’s existing agreements with Tunisia and Morocco. Companies recruiting IT or engineering talent from Pakistan may benefit from faster processing once bilateral mechanisms are in place.(dawn.com)
The ministers will reconvene in Islamabad later in 2026 to assess progress. Businesses with regional mobility portfolios should track any resulting amendments to Italy’s quota decrees or investor-visa rules.(dawn.com)
