New Delhi:The Union Cabinet on Wednesday granted ex-post facto approval to sign and ratify the Migration and Mobility Agreement with Italy that allows Indian students temporary residence in the European nation for up to one year after studies to gather professional experience. The agreement was signed on November 2 by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
It seeks to enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of students, skilled workers, business people and young professionals and strengthen cooperation on issues related to irregular migration between the two sides. It also locks in the current Italian visa regime, including mechanisms for post study opportunities, internships, professional training assuring an advantage for India under the existing labour mobility pathways under the Flows Decree, an official statement said.
The agreement allows Indian students wishing to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy a temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months. Italy has listed provisions related to professional training, extracurricular internships and curricular internships that allow Indian students/trainees to gain experience in Italian skill/training standards.