Photo: Press Service of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency
Beginning in 2026, Italy will allocate 1,500 work permits to citizens of Uzbekistan, according to a statement from Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency.
The announcement was made during a meeting between the agency’s director, Behzod Musaev, and the Italian ambassador to Uzbekistan, Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini. Officials noted that Italy has a high demand for skilled workers in sectors such as engineering, tourism, and agriculture.
A significant advantage in migration cooperation between the two countries, according to the agency, is that there are currently no Uzbek nationals residing illegally in Italy.
The two sides also discussed the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility, signed during the official visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Uzbekistan on May 29.
“The signed memorandum is a historic document. Much work has gone into its preparation, and I strongly support its swift implementation. Migration is an important area, and Uzbekistan—with its extensive experience—can serve as a model for its partners in Central Asia,” said Ambassador Papadia de Bottini.
Italy has not traditionally been a major destination for Uzbek labor migrants. However, European countries have increasingly looked to Uzbekistan to fill labor shortages. In 2022, Uzbekistan ranked second in the number of seasonal workers sent to the United Kingdom. Last year, the country also signed a migration agreement with Germany to facilitate Uzbek workers’ entry into the German labor market.
