Italy to Implement Fingerprinting Requirement for Study Visa Applicants Starting January 2025
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Starting January 10, 2025, Italy will introduce a new rule requiring Type D visa applicants, including international students, to schedule individual fingerprinting appointments at Italian consulates. This change, aimed at improving security, marks a shift from the previous process, which allowed group or batch processing of visa applications. Type D visas are for individuals planning to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, such as those pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs.
For Indian students, this new requirement is expected to increase costs and travel logistics, particularly for those living far from consulates. With a steady rise in the number of Indian students in Italy—over 6,000 in 2024—this additional step is seen as a burden, as it adds to both administrative and financial challenges. While Italy’s 12-month stay-back option for Indian students remains in place, allowing them to gain professional experience after graduation, the fingerprinting process may complicate the overall experience. Educational stakeholders, including Melissa Torres, CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad, have expressed concerns over the potential delays and added travel expenses, which could impact students’ decisions to study in Italy.
