Beginning January 11, applicants for long-term Schengen visas to Italy, including those seeking visas for employment, study, and other purposes, will be required to visit their nearest Italian Embassy or consulate to submit biometric data. This new measure mandates the collection of fingerprints and marks a significant change in the visa application process for long-term stays.
The Italian government had already implemented biometric data collection for short-term visa applicants. Now, international students and other long-term visa candidates must book individual appointments at the consulate to provide their fingerprints. According to Schengen.News, this step is being introduced to enhance security measures and prevent potential criminal infiltration.
“Following the entry into force of Decree-Law 145/2024, as of January 11, 2025, it will be mandatory to collect the fingerprints of applicants for both Schengen visas (type C) and national entry visas (type D). Applicants will, therefore, be required to appear in person when submitting their visa application,” stated the Italian Embassy.
The rule applies to all long-term visa categories, including those issued for employment, self-employment, study, family reunification, retirement, and investment purposes. While the collection process is brief, taking only a few minutes, it introduces additional steps for applicants. Individuals will now face travel expenses to reach their nearest consulate and potential income loss from taking time off work to attend appointments.
Meanwhile, the biometric data collected will remain valid for 59 months, meaning applicants will not need to resubmit their fingerprints for subsequent visa applications. This streamlines future applications, as personal appearances will no longer be required for repeat requests within the validity period.
While this measure adds an extra layer of security, concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on visa processing times. Italian consulates, especially in high-demand regions, are already experiencing significant delays in appointment scheduling. Critics fear that the new fingerprint requirement could further exacerbate these issues, leading to longer processing timelines for applicants.
(With inputs from multiple sources)