Starting January 10, 2025, international students planning to study in Italy for more than 90 days will face a significant change in the visa application process. Applicants for Type D visas will now be required to book individual fingerprinting appointments at Italian consulates. This procedural change is expected to increase administrative hurdles for both students and consular staff.

Jill Allen Murray, deputy executive director of public policy at NAFSA, emphasized that the elimination of "batch" processing—a practice previously used by U.S. institutions to streamline visa processing—will place additional strain on consulates. This change is expected to increase the administrative burden and processing times.

Italy’s Popularity as a Study Destination at Stake

During the 2022-23 period, Italy came up as the leading destination for United State-Students studying, hosting 15 percent of the total. This represented a 37 percent increase in comparison with the previous year. However, stakeholders fear that the new visa requirements may discourage students from selecting Italy as their study destination. They also anticipate a potential shift toward shorter-term programs that require less extensive visa processing.

Iranian and Afghan Students Face Long Waiting Periods

The changes come at a time when international students, particularly those from Iran and Afghanistan, have been voicing frustration over prolonged visa processing times. Over 1,000 Iranian students are reportedly waiting for responses to their visa applications, with some delays stretching back months.

Afghan students face similar challenges, as they are required to travel to neighboring countries like Pakistan or Iran to apply for their Italian student visas. Reports suggest that more than 150 Afghan students have been waiting for appointments since July, further compounding the difficulties faced by these applicants.

Rising Concerns Among International Students

The new visa measures are expected to amplify dissatisfaction among international students who must now navigate additional administrative barriers. These changes could potentially impact Italy’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global education.

Guidelines for processing Visa:

Verify Your Eligibility-  Review the specific criteria related to your nationality, course of study, and institution.

Prepare the Necessary Documents -Once confirmed eligible, gather all the required documents. This may include proof of enrollment, financial means, health insurance, and a valid passport, among others.

Submit Your Visa Application -Complete and submit the application form for the student visa through the official Italian visa portal or at your designated submission center.

Book and Attend a Visa Appointment - By taking an appointment with the Italian embassy or consulate nearest to you, for which you need to provide the requested documents and may have to answer questions about your study plans.

Provide Biometric Information and Pay Fees -Complete the mandatory biometric data submission, including fingerprints, and pay the associated visa processing fee.

Await Visa Approval - After completing all the steps, wait for the authorities to process your application. You will be informed of the decision and can proceed with your plans once the visa is approved.