In 2024 Italy issued 28,045 new residence permits to Bangladeshi citizens: 66.7% for asylum or protection, 20.3% for family reasons and just 10.8% for work. For many, protection is the first door into legal life in Italy.
Forms of protection
- Refugee status: for people at risk of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a social group.
- Subsidiary protection: for people at risk of serious harm (death penalty, torture, generalised violence).
- Special protection: for people who cannot be sent back because they would face torture or inhuman treatment, or a violation of fundamental rights.
What has changed
Reforms in recent years have narrowed special protection and removed the option of converting it into a long-term work permit. Recognition rates have also fallen. Some courts, however, still grant it in particular cases — for example to victims of visa fraud who have lived in Italy for years.
Why not to go it alone
With accelerated procedures for citizens of “safe countries”, including Bangladesh, deadlines for documents and appeals are short. Contact an immigration lawyer or an association straight away. People on low incomes can ask for state-funded legal aid (patrocinio a spese dello Stato), meaning a free lawyer.
