With a decree issued on February 25, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added Morocco to the list of so-called “high-risk countries.” Let’s see what this means and what the consequences are.
1. What is meant by high-risk countries?
According to Article 3 of Decree Law 145/2024, high-risk countries are those whose flow applications are marked by a high risk of submitting forged documents or filing applications without meeting the legal requirements.
2. Which countries are considered high-risk?
Article 3 of Decree Law 145/2024 initially identified three countries as high-risk: Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. You can read our in-depth article on this topic.
Here According to paragraph 3 of the same article, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation must update the list each year through a dedicated decree.
On February 25, 2025, the decree confirmed the above countries and added Morocco due to “a considerable number of revocations compared to the number of work permits issued,” as well as an increase in flow applications from Morocco compared to the previous year.
3. What are the consequences of Morocco being considered a high-risk country?
When a country is classified as high-risk, Article 22, paragraph 5.01 of the Immigration Consolidation Act does not apply. This article usually ensures issuance of the nulla osta within 60 days, even pending checks by the police and labor inspectorate.
Furthermore, unless the entry visa was already issued before the decree took effect, any nulla osta is suspended until the Immigration Desk expressly confirms the positive outcome of those checks. Visa issuance procedures are also put on hold during this waiting period.
4. Are the deadlines for nulla osta and entry visa indefinite for high-risk countries?
Not entirely. While Decree 145/2024 doesn’t establish specific deadlines, the Council of State has ruled that immigration procedures must not exceed 180 days. If this time limit passes without any response from the prefecture or consulate, consulting a legal professional is recommended.
5. Why consult an immigration lawyer in Bologna?
If you come from a country deemed high-risk, consulting an immigration lawyer can be crucial. An expert can help you unlock procedures that might otherwise take months—or even years.
Integra – Immigration, Work, and Rights offers a wide range of services and is based in Bologna (Via Cesare Battisti 33) and Pesaro (Viale della Vittoria 161).
