Visa: Italy identifies Pakistan as high-risk country

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan is among the countries identified as high-risk for fraud in the migrant visa system, prompting the Italian government to implement tougher checks starting in 2025.

This comes as Italy grapples with an ageing population and declining birth rates, leading to a significant shortage of caregivers.

In response to this issue, Italy announced on Wednesday that it will offer an additional 10,000 migrant work visas next year specifically for individuals who care for the elderly and disabled. This new quota is part of a broader package of migration reforms aimed at addressing labor shortages.

The “experimental” quota for caregivers adds to the previously announced 452,000 work visas for the 2023-2025 period, marking a nearly 150% increase compared to the last three years. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s rightist government has been balancing measures to curb illegal immigration while expanding legal pathways for migrants.

In conjunction with these changes, the government has intensified its crackdown on sea rescue NGOs. A new decree mandates that aircraft operated by charities to locate migrant boats in distress must immediately notify authorities of their movements or face penalties.

This aligns with existing regulations for NGO boats, which can be fined or grounded if their rescue operations are not properly coordinated with the coast guard.

Additionally, the decree introduces stricter anti-fraud measures in the migrant visa system, prompted by concerns over infiltration by criminal organizations, including the mafia. The government’s statement highlights that applications from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will face increased scrutiny due to their higher risk of fraud.