Italy Introduces New Visa Rules for International Students Starting in 2025
Key Takeaways on Italy’s New Student Visa Rules
Italy has introduced new visa regulations affecting international students applying for long-term visas (D Visa) to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Effective January 10, 2025, applicants must schedule and attend an in-person appointment at an Italian consulate, where their fingerprints will be collected as a security measure, according to Schengen.News.
Impact on International Students
The new rules add another layer of complexity to the application process, which has already frustrated many students due to long wait times. Iranian students, for example, have been protesting delays, with around 1,000 applicants still waiting for visa appointment responses. Afghan students face even greater hurdles, as they must travel to Pakistan or Iran to apply. Over 150 Afghan students have been waiting for an appointment since July.
For American students, the policy change could discourage study abroad programs in Italy. The requirement to travel to consulates individually eliminates the option for batch processing, a system many U.S. universities relied on to streamline visa applications. This shift increases administrative pressure on Italian consulates and raises concerns among study abroad organizations.
Financial and Logistical Challenges
Beyond the inconvenience, the new rules impose additional financial burdens. Students will now have to cover travel costs to consulates for fingerprint collection, adding to the already high expenses of studying abroad.
Melissa Torres, CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad, warns that these changes could lead to fewer American students choosing Italy as a study destination. With a 37% increase in American student enrollment in Italy over the past year, the new requirements might reverse this trend. Some study abroad providers in the U.S. are even considering shortening programs to adapt to the stricter application process.
Jill Allen Murray, Deputy Executive Director of Public Policy at NAFSA, also highlighted concerns about increased costs and administrative challenges, particularly for institutions that previously relied on batch processing.
As Italy remains a top choice for international students, these new visa requirements may shape future study abroad trends, potentially redirecting students to other destinations with more accessible application processes.
