TDS Desk:

Bad news waits for Bangladeshi immigrants who wanted to migrate in Italy for work. The Italian Embassy in Dhaka will gradually return the passports of the work visa applicants. Returning passports to applicants will start from October 20.

The Italian Embassy in Dhaka has informed this information in a press release on Thursday.

According to the notification, due to a large number of fake documents, the Italian government has suspended the validity of all work permits issued in favour of citizens of some countries including Bangladesh till October 11, 2024, which will remain in force until proper verification is completed.

The Italian Embassy will issue work visas subject to completion of the verification of suspended work authorization after confirmation from the Italian Provincial Immigration Office (Sportello Unico-SUI) following the legal directive of 11 October 2024 (N 145).

Passports of applicants pending verification mentioned above will be returned in a phased manner.

The refund process will start on 20th October 2024. Each applicant will be contacted by ‘VFS Global’ through SMS or e-mail or return of passport.

As soon as the verification of embassy work authorization is confirmed, the visa applicants will contact VFS Global for re-submission of their passports to the respective visa application centre, the notification said.

Aspirants seeking a work visa appointment whose confirmation of work authorization is completed will be contacted by VFS Global to submit their visa application. Therefore, visa appointments (including those already scheduled) are no longer required at this time.

[email protected] e-mail id will remain active. Holders of newly issued Work Permits are requested to send the details to this e-mail address. This information will be used for subsequent communications.

Applicants, employers and lawyers are advised not to send e-mails to the Embassy and VFS Global for verification of their work authorization. Because the corresponding verification process is done in Italy.

Work permit holders may contact their potential employers in Italy to receive updates on the verification of their work permit, if necessary.

The work authorization will remain valid until verified by the Italian Provincial Immigration Office Sportello Unico-SUI.

The application process for others, such as family reunion, study, business and tourist visas, will remain unchanged.