Italy to take 166,000 foreign workers, Bangladesh included

Italy has announced plans to admit 165,850 foreign workers in 2027, and Bangladesh is among the 37 countries whose nationals will be eligible to apply, offering Bangladeshi jobseekers another potential avenue for legal employment in Europe.

The quota, announced jointly by Italy's interior, labour, agriculture and tourism ministries, spans seasonal and non-seasonal employment as well as self-employment. Of the total, 76,200 places are reserved for non-seasonal workers, 89,000 for seasonal employment and a further 650 for self-employed applicants. Moreover, Bangladesh features on the list alongside countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. However, applicants must satisfy the prescribed eligibility criteria and apply through an Italian employer in the relevant category.

Prospective applicants can complete their applications online through the designated government platform from October 23 to December 7, after which submissions will open on four set dates in 2027. Applications for seasonal agricultural work will be accepted on January 12 and for seasonal tourism on February 9, while non-seasonal employment will open on February 16 and non-seasonal domestic work on February 18.

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Meanwhile, the Italian authorities have urged applicants and employers to scrutinise all documents meticulously and to complete the process strictly in accordance with the stipulated requirements.