Italy Study Visa Process Update: Fingerprinting Rule Effective January 2025
From the start of the year January 2025, the Italian government will implement an important and mandatory fingerprinting requirement for the use of study visa applicants. This change is a part of Italy’s commitment to increase security measures and streamline visa processes. It will be applied to all international students who are interested in getting entry into Italy for higher education which covers those who are pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.
Key Details of the New Rule
- Candidates are supposed to submit their fingerprints as part of the visa application process with an addition of passport-sized photographs.
- Fingerprints should be submitted at designated Visa Application Centres or Italian Embassies. First, Students will need to book appointments in advance on the website by choosing their nearest location.
First-Time and Returning Applicants:
- For First-Time Applicants, submission of fingerprints is very important and compulsory. Those students who have already provided biometric data for a previous Italian visa may not need to resubmit it unless their fingerprints are over five years old.
- This initiative aligns Italy with broader EU visa practices, with the main motive of establishing a secure and standardized process for Schengen visa applications.
The fingerprinting rule will be helpful for the Italian government to balance efficient visa issuance with stringent security protocols by ensuring a seamless experience for international students. Applicants are also encouraged to stay updated through official sources and by consulting authorized visa processing agencies to ensure compliance with the new regulations. According to the agreement, Indian students who want to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for 12 months. But earlier, those holding a master's degree or PhD were eligible to stay back in Italy after they studied for 12 months.
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