Italy has taken a decisive step toward end-to-end digitalisation of its visa processes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior on 25 February presented a new e-visa portal that will handle both short-stay Schengen visas and long-stay national (D-type) permits in a single online workflow. Officials confirmed the system will go live in the second quarter of 2026, making Italy one of the first Schengen members to commit to a completely paper-free application route.(arabtimesonline.com)
Under the forthcoming model, travellers and corporate assignees will complete “smart” application forms, upload supporting documents, and pay fees electronically. Consulates will still collect biometric data, but authorities said they are piloting remote identity verification for low-risk frequent travellers—an innovation that, if approved, could eventually eliminate in-person fingerprint appointments for many business visitors.(euroweeklynews.com)
![Italy Unveils Fully-Digital Schengen & National Visa Portal, Going Paperless by Q2 2026]()
Amid these developments, many applicants are turning to specialist platforms for assistance. VisaHQ, for example, consolidates the latest consular updates, offers real-time document checks, and can liaise with the relevant mission on your behalf—services that will remain invaluable as Italy’s new portal rolls out. To see how their tools can simplify your next Italian visa application, visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/
The reform dovetails with airport upgrades: Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa are expanding automated passport-control gates ahead of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS. Companies moving staff into Italy should therefore expect faster border processing once biometric records are enrolled, but will need to brief travellers on the transitional mix of manual and automated checks.(arabtimesonline.com)
For global mobility teams, the digital shift promises shorter processing times—but only after an initial adjustment period. Implementation will be staggered by consulate, creating a patchwork of legacy and digital procedures through late 2026. Experts recommend confirming whether a given mission accepts e-submissions, reserving biometric slots early, and updating onboarding materials to reference electronic confirmations rather than ink-stamped visas.(arabtimesonline.com)
Under the forthcoming model, travellers and corporate assignees will complete “smart” application forms, upload supporting documents, and pay fees electronically. Consulates will still collect biometric data, but authorities said they are piloting remote identity verification for low-risk frequent travellers—an innovation that, if approved, could eventually eliminate in-person fingerprint appointments for many business visitors.(euroweeklynews.com)
Amid these developments, many applicants are turning to specialist platforms for assistance. VisaHQ, for example, consolidates the latest consular updates, offers real-time document checks, and can liaise with the relevant mission on your behalf—services that will remain invaluable as Italy’s new portal rolls out. To see how their tools can simplify your next Italian visa application, visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/
The reform dovetails with airport upgrades: Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa are expanding automated passport-control gates ahead of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS. Companies moving staff into Italy should therefore expect faster border processing once biometric records are enrolled, but will need to brief travellers on the transitional mix of manual and automated checks.(arabtimesonline.com)
For global mobility teams, the digital shift promises shorter processing times—but only after an initial adjustment period. Implementation will be staggered by consulate, creating a patchwork of legacy and digital procedures through late 2026. Experts recommend confirming whether a given mission accepts e-submissions, reserving biometric slots early, and updating onboarding materials to reference electronic confirmations rather than ink-stamped visas.(arabtimesonline.com)
