Italian embassies in New Delhi, Johannesburg and São Paulo opened limited appointment slots on 2 November 2025 to test the new biometric-fingerprint capture process for long-term (Type D) visa applicants. The mandatory fingerprinting—already applied to short-stay Schengen visas—will extend to work, study, investment and family-reunification visas from 11 January 2026 under Decree-Law 145/2024.
Applicants must appear in person, submit ten digital fingerprints and a live photo; the biometric data will remain valid for 59 months, eliminating repeat enrolment for subsequent visas. Consulates report that each appointment now takes 12–15 minutes, double the previous processing time, raising concerns about slot availability during the December-January peak.
![Consulates Begin Pilot Appointments as Italy’s Biometric Fingerprint Requirement Nears Full Roll-out]()
Education-consultancy firms warn that Indian and Latin-American students starting spring semesters risk delays, urging universities to issue acceptance letters earlier and to consider remote-enrolment options if visas are late. Global employers sponsoring intra-company transfers should reserve slots well in advance and budget for additional travel costs for employees living far from consular offices.
The Interior Ministry said it is negotiating subcontracting agreements with private visa-application centres to expand capacity before full enforcement. Meanwhile, the business-aviation sector expects a spike in short-term travel as executives fly to consulates for same-day biometrics to avoid extended trips.
Applicants must appear in person, submit ten digital fingerprints and a live photo; the biometric data will remain valid for 59 months, eliminating repeat enrolment for subsequent visas. Consulates report that each appointment now takes 12–15 minutes, double the previous processing time, raising concerns about slot availability during the December-January peak.
Education-consultancy firms warn that Indian and Latin-American students starting spring semesters risk delays, urging universities to issue acceptance letters earlier and to consider remote-enrolment options if visas are late. Global employers sponsoring intra-company transfers should reserve slots well in advance and budget for additional travel costs for employees living far from consular offices.
The Interior Ministry said it is negotiating subcontracting agreements with private visa-application centres to expand capacity before full enforcement. Meanwhile, the business-aviation sector expects a spike in short-term travel as executives fly to consulates for same-day biometrics to avoid extended trips.
