Italy Work Visa (Decreto Flussi) 2026: 10,500 Places for Pakistanis and How It Works
Italy is opening one of its largest legal labour-migration programmes in years, and for the first time a dedicated share has been carved out for Pakistan. If you are a worker in Pakistan hoping to reach Italy legally, here is how the 2026 Decreto Flussi works and what it realistically requires.
What is the Decreto Flussi?
The Decreto Flussi (“flows decree”) is Italy’s annual quota system that sets how many non-EU nationals may enter for work. The 2026–2028 decree authorises close to 500,000 places over three years, with 164,850 allocated for 2026 alone, split across seasonal, non-seasonal and self-employed categories. All applications for the 2026 quota must be submitted by 31 December 2026.
Pakistan’s reserved quota
On 25 February 2026 Italy’s Interior Ministry announced that 10,500 places have been reserved specifically for qualified Pakistani workers — about 3,500 per year across 2026, 2027 and 2028. Of the yearly figure, roughly 1,500 are seasonal and 2,000 are non-seasonal roles, targeted at sectors with persistent shortages such as manufacturing, construction, logistics and care-giving. Pakistan is also among the 38 priority countries that share a further ring-fenced allocation each year.
How the process actually works
The Decreto Flussi is employer-driven — you cannot simply apply on your own. The key steps are:
- You secure a genuine job offer from an Italian employer (or a foreign employer legally resident in Italy).
- On the official “click day,” the employer submits the request for your nulla osta (work authorisation) through the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione via the government portal.
- By law the nulla osta should be issued within 30 days; it stays valid for four to six months.
- Once issued, you have 180 days to apply for your work visa at the Italian Embassy in Islamabad.
- After arriving in Italy, you apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).
The visa step in Pakistan
After the nulla osta is approved, you book and submit your work-visa application at the Italian Embassy with your passport, the nulla osta, the signed employment contract, and supporting documents. Visa processing currently averages around 20 working days, though timelines vary with demand. Many applicants also need a Police Character Certificate and certified translations of their documents.
Timing and costs to plan for
The click days are the critical moment: quotas are limited and can be exhausted within minutes, so your employer and paperwork must be ready in advance. Beyond the official visa fee, budget for document attestation, translations, medical checks and travel to the embassy. Because the whole cycle — from click-day submission, to nulla osta, to visa, to arrival — can take several months, start preparing your passport, qualifications and references early rather than waiting for the decree to open.
Who qualifies — and what to watch for
There is no “open” application: a real Italian employer and a valid click-day submission are essential. Be extremely cautious of agents promising “guaranteed” Italy work visas for large upfront fees — visa fraud around the Decreto Flussi is common. Verify every job offer and never pay for a place in the quota itself. Explore our full range of visa services if you are unsure where to begin.
Hijrat handles HEC, IBCC, MOFA and embassy attestation from our Aabpara office in Islamabad — serving Rawalpindi and overseas Pakistanis. Fees always itemised before you pay.
Quotas, click-day dates and visa rules change frequently and every decision rests with the Italian authorities. The figures here are general guidance as of July 2026 — always confirm current requirements through the official Italian government portals and the Italian Embassy before you act, and beware of anyone charging for a place in the quota.