Italy Opens Doors to Venezuelan Descendants of Italian Citizens for work
A new decree signed by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and published this week in the Official gazette will allow Venezuelan citizens of Italian descent to live and work in Italy without being subject to the country’s standard immigration quotas. This marks a significant adjustment to Italian immigration policy, specifically targeting descendants of Italians residing outside of Europe.
Venezuela is one of seven countries included in the initial phase of this program, joining Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The decision is rooted in a desire to “encourage the migratory return” of individuals with Italian heritage,acknowledging the strong past and cultural connections between Italy and these nations.
Official figures indicate that 116,396 Italian citizens are currently registered in Venezuela, making it a key location within the Italian diaspora in Latin America. The Italian government anticipates this measure will especially benefit young, skilled Venezuelan professionals facing economic hardship and emigration pressures in their home country.
While the decree prioritizes these seven nations, other countries with substantial Italian communities - including Mexico, Peru, Chile, and South Africa – were proposed for inclusion by the General Council of italians Abroad but were not selected for this initial rollout.
This move is part of a larger Italian government strategy to attract qualified workers and reinforce relationships with Italian communities globally. It occurs alongside a recent tightening of requirements for citizenship by descent, a change that has drawn criticism from Italian organizations throughout Latin America.