The Italian Embassy in Dhaka urged Bangladeshi nationals to refrain from using irregular migration routes and warned them against relying on human traffickers, citing the new European asylum and migration rules that took effect on June 12.

In a notice posted on its verified Facebook page on Monday, the embassy said migrants arriving illegally from Libya or other transit countries would no longer be allowed to enter Italian territory, adding that they would be detained at the border and repatriated.

The embassy also said individuals entering Italy through irregular channels would not be permitted to remain in the country or work there.

The notice reiterated several messages aimed at prospective Bangladeshi migrants, warning them not to place themselves "in the hands of traffickers and criminal networks" that offer false promises of entry into Europe.

It further stated that those who voluntarily pay to be smuggled into Italy become accomplices of human traffickers and could be involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, the embassy emphasized that legal pathways for migration are still available. It said that in 2025 and 2026, it had issued thousands of work, family, and study visas to Bangladeshi citizens who complied with immigration rules.

The message comes as European countries continue to tighten migration policies and reinforce border management measures in response to continued irregular migration flows across the Mediterranean.

For years, Italy has been one of the primary gateways for migrants and asylum seekers seeking to enter Europe from North Africa – mainly through Libya – leading successive governments to seek tougher controls and deals to curb irregular arrivals.

In recent years Bangladesh has also been a target of anti-human trafficking campaigns, with authorities and foreign missions repeatedly warning citizens against dangerous journeys facilitated by smuggling networks.