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Starting January 11, 2025, applicants for long-term Schengen visas to Italy, including those for employment, study, family reunification, and other purposes, must visit their nearest Italian consulate to provide biometric data. This new requirement, which involves the collection of fingerprints, extends the fingerprinting rule already applied to short-term visa applicants.
Enhanced security measures
The rule stems from the implementation of Decree-Law 145/2024, aimed at bolstering security amid concerns about criminal infiltration. Italian authorities have prioritized these measures to ensure greater control over visa issuance and enhance the safety of their borders. Both Schengen visas (Type C) and national entry visas (Type D) will now require applicants to appear in person at Italian embassies or consulates in their home countries. This includes international students, who must book individual appointments at consulates to complete the process.
Though the biometric data collection process itself is straightforward and takes just a few minutes, the fingerprints collected will remain valid for 59 months. This means applicants will not need to undergo the fingerprinting process for subsequent visa applications within this period. With this initiative, people will not be required to undergo in-person visits during the said timeline for future applications, which will further simplify renewals and repeat requests.
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Although the new biometric requirement improves security, it also presents new difficulties for those who are applying for visas. Traveling to the closest embassy may also result in additional expenses, such as lost pay from taking time from work and the cost of transportation. Additionally, applicants must contend with the already lengthy wait times for visa appointments, particularly in countries with high application volumes.
It’s likely that these administrative hurdles could potentially delay overall visa processing times, raising concerns among frequent travelers and international students. Despite these challenges, the Italian government emphasizes the importance of these measures for national security.
The biometric rule was one of several reforms initiated by the Italian government. Initial measures to strengthen visa security were put into place in October 2024, and additional enhancements are expected in 2025. These measures demonstrate a comprehensive approach to addressing immigration and border control challenges and are consistent with EU security protocols.
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The new fingerprinting requirement highlights the government’s commitment to security for applicants for long-term Schengen visas to Italy. Although applicants may face financial and logistical difficulties, there may be a bright side in the simplified procedure for subsequent visa applications. The biometric norm is an important step in bringing security measures into line with contemporary technological standards as Italy seeks to improve its immigration laws.
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