Union Cabinet Approves Migration and Mobility Agreement Between India and Italy

In a move to strengthen bilateral ties and foster enhanced people-to-people contacts, the Union Cabinet has granted 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.

This agreement, once in effect, is poised to facilitate the mobility of students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talents between India and Italy, laying the foundation for a more robust cooperation framework on issues related to irregular migration.

Key provisions of the Migration and Mobility Agreement include:

1. Temporary Residence for Indian Students: Indian students completing academic or vocational training in Italy will be eligible for temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months, providing them with an opportunity to gain initial professional experience.
2. Professional Training and Internships: Detailed provisions related to professional training, extracurricular internships, and curricular internships have been outlined, enabling Indian students and trainees to gain valuable experience in line with Italian skill and training standards.
3. Reserved Quotas for Workers: The Italian side has reserved quotas for both non-seasonal and seasonal Indian workers for the years 2023 to 2025 under the current Flows Decree, reflecting a commitment to labor mobility pathways between the two countries.

The Migration and Mobility Agreement formalizes joint efforts to further mobility pathways through agreements on Youth Mobility and the facilitation of recruitment of Indian qualified professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors. These aspects will be discussed under the Joint Working Group (JWG).

Moreover, the Agreement establishes a formal mechanism for monitoring through a Joint Working Group (JWG), which will meet periodically, in virtual or physical mode as convenient, to oversee its implementation. The JWG will share relevant information, evaluate the implementation of the agreement, and discuss proposals to support its implementation.

The Agreement is set to come into effect on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the last of the two notifications by which Parties shall have communicated to each other the completion of their internal procedures necessary for its entry into force. It will remain in force for a period of 5 years and will be automatically renewed for successive similar periods unless terminated by any Participant.

This significant step forward reflects the commitment of both nations to fostering stronger ties, promoting mobility, and addressing issues related to irregular migration.