New Visa Procedure in Italy Adds Fingerprinting Requirement for Students from January 2025
From January 10, 2025, Italy will significantly change its Type D visa application process by demanding individual fingerprinting at consulates for all applicants. This policy concerns students and professionals staying for long periods in Italy and those seeking study visas.
While this move boosts security, it also poses more hurdles for international students, particularly those staying far from the consulates.
What is a Type D Visa?
The Type D visa lets holders stay in Italy for over 90 days. The most common users of this visa are international students who pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or research studies. Previously, applicants were allowed to do their fingerprints in batches, thus saving the consulates with less representation of the workload. However, from January onwards, applicants will have to book personal appointments to be fingerprinted, thus raising the administrative burden for most students.
Impact on Indian Students
Italy has become a popular destination for Indian students who want to pursue higher education. The number of Indian students in Italy has been steadily increasing. In 2024, about 6,017 Indian students held study visas, a significant increase from previous years. This trend indicates a high demand for Italian education. However, the new fingerprinting rule may impact future applications.
Students in smaller cities or rural settings are far from the nearest consulate and, therefore, hundreds of kilometers away. The traveling cost will be significantly higher, especially for students, who may have to take numerous trips to finalize their visa application process. The cost of scheduling an appointment and the application’s complexity may deter potential applicants.
Despite all this, one thing has not changed: Indian students will still be allowed to stay in Italy for a further 12 months post-study for professional experience. This is one of the reasons why international students come to Italy to learn; it offers much scope for professional development.
The Stakeholders’ Voice Concerns
The new rule of fingerprinting has been regarded as a concern by the educational sector. Melissa Torres is the CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad; she said that this rule would burden students due to increased travel costs and long waiting times for appointments, which will likely affect the choice to study in Italy.
US-based education organizations like NAFSA have also issued a warning. Eliminating batch processing could also send students to study somewhere else, severely affecting Italy’s position as one of the most preferred educational destinations. Added complications of the visa process will probably force students to prefer some shorter, easier programs that may be short-term or extended in Italy.
To this end, education entities have urged Italy to improve its visa processing structure. Ideas forwarded include that fingerprinting should be conducted at a local police station or through an honorary consulate; it would ensure that the burden of traveling a long distance for the student is kept to a bare minimum. Italy needs to dedicate extra resources to this move to facilitate it smoothly.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System ETIAS
As if this new rule for fingerprinting wasn’t enough, changes in European travel rules are also on the cards. By mid-2025, the European Travel Information and The Authorisation System will surely be implemented. This will entail that the nationals from 60 countries, including India, must obtain prior authorization before visiting European visa-free countries.
The introduction of ETIAS will add another layer of preparation for international students looking to travel to or within Europe. This will further complicate studying abroad in Italy and other Schengen Area countries, especially among students already finding navigating the complex visa system challenging.
An Additional Layer of Complexity
Although the fingerprinting requirement is said to improve security and fall in line with the broader Schengen regulations, the fact remains that it creates significant barriers. Students who live far from consulates may find that added travel and scheduling stress make applying for a study visa even more stressful and costly. The change may also influence students’ choice of destination, thereby reducing Italy’s appeal for study abroad programs.
This might make the students think otherwise regarding other European countries where this procedure is less complex. In addition, countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain still offer flexible visa procedures to international students. This could attract more people, considering the additional complexity this creates within the Italian system.
The policy further notes the trend of border and visa regulations tightening within Europe. Countries continue tightening their security measures while assimilating into Schengen’s policies, thus pushing international students to work harder to gain entry into their respective studies abroad. Though the Italian fingerprinting rule seems aligned with the rest of the safety measures, only time can tell how the students take these changes.
The Future Ahead
This new fingerprinting requirement for Type D visas in Italy will change the international study landscape. While promising better security, it will add a layer of complexity and cost to prospective students. Over time, as Italy’s education sector continues to grow, these changes will be clear.
It is significant for Indian students, along with others who are eyeing Italy as a study destination, to understand what precisely this new rule would bring about. Early preparation about the visa application process and travel costs, considering one’s alternatives, would only help soften these changes. Only time can tell how Italy’s new policy will affect its status as a prime study destination.