Italy's cabinet has approved a decree to issue nearly 500,000 new work visas for non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028. This move aims to expand legal immigration channels in response to labor shortages affecting various sectors, including agriculture and tourism. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had previously promised to tighten immigration controls, is framing this policy as a pragmatic solution to demographic decline and workforce deficits. Italy had already issued approximately 450,000 work permits to non-EU workers between 2023 and 2025. The plan includes issuing 164,850 visas in 2026, targeting a total of 497,550 by 2028. Meloni emphasized the necessity of regulated immigration to address labor needs and combat illegal immigration. The policy has been presented as a strategic response to Italy's shrinking population and the economic challenges posed by insufficient domestic labor supply.