Italy’s new visa regulations for long-term stays, which require applicants to schedule individual fingerprinting appointments, have raised concerns among stakeholders about potential difficulties for international students. Starting January 10, 2025, applicants for Type D visas, needed for stays longer than 90 days—including semester-long study programs—will need to book fingerprinting appointments at Italian consulates.
Melissa Torres, CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad, voiced concerns that the new rule could deter students from choosing Italy for semester-abroad programs. She pointed out that the additional cost of traveling to consulates and the expected long wait times for appointments may discourage students from pursuing a full semester in Italy.
Jill Allen Murray, deputy executive director of public policy at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, warned that the policy could push students toward other destinations or shorter study-abroad programs due to the logistical challenges it creates. Italy, which attracted 15% of U.S. students studying abroad in the 2022/2023 academic year, may see a decline in student numbers as a result, she said.
The new regulations replace the batch processing system previously used by many U.S. institutions, which simplified the visa application process for students.
In response, NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad have called on the Italian government to reinstate batch processing, increase resources for visa appointments, and allow fingerprinting at honorary consulates or local authorities. Students are also advised to apply for visas well in advance, as consulates may struggle to meet demand.
As of the 2023/2024 academic year, there were 96,083 foreign students enrolled at Italian universities, with the largest groups coming from Iran (13,081), Turkey (6,404), and China (6,093), according to Statista.
