Italy to allow Indian students to stay for another 12 months after completion of degree

As per the agreement, Indian students wishing to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal of the Ministry of External Affairs to sign and ratify the Migration and Mobility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Italian Republic, PIB reported on Wednesday.

Indian students hoping to stay in Italy after the completion of their degrees will now be allowed to stay in the country for an additional 12 months, the two governments have announced.

As per the agreement, Indian students wishing to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months. As of now, those holding a master’s degree or PhD are eligible to stay back in Italy after their studies for 12 months.

According to government data, a total of 5,897 Indian students were present in Italy in 2022 on study visas. In 2019, there were 4791 Indian students in India, 3211 in 2020 and 3008 Indian students were in Italy in 2021.

In addition to this, the Italian side has detailed provisions related to professional training, extracurricular internships and curricular internships which allow Indian students/ trainees to gain experience in Italian skill/ training standards.

Under the Flows Decree, Italy has proposed incremental reserved quotas for both seasonal and non-seasonal workers from 2023-2025. Furthermore, the agreement formalizes collaborative efforts to enhance mobility pathways between India and Italy. This includes discussions on youth mobility and the facilitation of the recruitment of Indian-qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors, to be addressed under the Joint Working Group (JWG). The agreement also establishes cooperation between the two countries to combat irregular migration. The agreement will remain in force for five years and will automatically renew for a similar successive period unless terminated by any participant.

To monitor the agreement, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be formed, meeting periodically in virtual or physical mode as convenient, to oversee its implementation. The JWG will share relevant information, assess the implementation of the agreement, and discuss appropriate proposals to support its implementation as needed. The agreement was signed on November 2, 2023, with Dr. S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, representing the Indian government, and Shri Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing the Italian government.

The Italian government has also reserved a quota of 5000, 6000 and 7000 non-seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under the current Flows Decree (total reserved quota stands at 12000 for non-seasonal workers). Additionally, the Italian side has reserved a quota of 3000, 4000 and 5000 seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under the current Flows Decree (the total reserved quota stands at 8000 for seasonal workers).

Italy has outlined specific provisions for professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships, enabling Indian students/trainees to acquire experience aligned with Italia skill/training standards.

Under the Flows Decree, Italy has proposed incremental reserved quotas for both seasonal and non-seasonal workers from 2023-2025. Furthermore, the agreement formalizes collaborative efforts to enhance mobility pathways between India and Italy. This includes discussions on youth mobility and the facilitation of the recruitment of Indian-qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors, to be addressed under the Joint Working Group (JWG). The agreement also establishes cooperation between the two countries to combat irregular migration. The agreement will remain in force for five years and will automatically renew for a similar successive period unless terminated by any participant.

To monitor the agreement, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be formed, meeting periodically in virtual or physical mode as convenient, to oversee its implementation. The JWG will share relevant information, assess the implementation of the agreement, and discuss appropriate proposals to support its implementation as needed. The agreement was signed on November 2, 2023, with Dr. S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, representing the Indian government, and Shri Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing the Italian government.