Italy Halts Validity of Work Permits for Bangladeshi Nationals
Key Points
1. Italy has suspended work authorizations for Bangladeshi nationals as the Italian Embassy enforces stricter application measures.
2. The suspension is due to the high volume of falsified documents submitted by Bangladeshi applicants.
3. Processing for other types of permits will continue as normal.
The Italian Embassy in Bangladesh has suspended the validity of all work permits and paused appointments for such authorizations, citing a surge in fraudulent and counterfeit documentation.
According to an embassy statement, applicants from other countries may also be affected, although specific nations have not yet been identified.
The Italian government has suspended all "Nulla Osta" (work authorizations) issued to citizens of Bangladesh and certain other countries until verification of these documents is complete.
Italian Embassy in Dhaka to Issue Permits After Confirmation
The embassy will resume granting work permits only after receiving confirmation from Italy’s provincial immigration office and completing the verification process for the suspended work authorizations (Nulla Osta).
Starting Sunday, October 20, applicants will be able to collect their passports, following notification that their documents are ready.
Meanwhile, other permits and visas for purposes such as study, family reunification, business, and tourism will continue to be processed as usual.
Italian Authorities Tighten Rules for Bangladeshi Workers
Antoni Alessandro, the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, has hinted at the possibility of even stricter rules being introduced. During a recent meeting with Jashim Uddin, the newly appointed secretary, Alessandro emphasized the need to strengthen relations between the two nations.
These measures come in response to concerns from the Italian Prime Minister’s office about the misuse of employment schemes, which have been facilitating irregular migration.
Investigations revealed that criminal networks are selling work visas to foreigners for up to €15,000, with many Bangladeshi nationals falling victim to these schemes.
Italy Is the Top Schengen Visa Destination for Bangladeshis
In 2023, Bangladeshi citizens submitted 39,729 visa applications, with 34% being for Italian visas. However, despite Italy being the most popular destination for Bangladeshis, it has one of the lowest approval rates, granting visas to only 40% of applicants.
Other popular Schengen destinations for Bangladeshi nationals include Sweden, Germany, and France.