Italy Announces New Fingerprint Requirements for Visa Applicants

Key Points

• Italy will now require fingerprint collection for Schengen and national entry visas, starting 11 January 2025, with certain exemptions 

Biometric Data Collection to Become Mandatory 

As of January 11, 2025, Italy made it mandatory to collect fingerprints from applicants for Schengen visas (type C) and national entry visas (type D). Applicants must appear in person to submit their visa applications. The collected biometric data will be stored for 59 months, eliminating the need for future in-person fingerprint submissions for subsequent visa applications. 

Certain applicants are exempt from providing fingerprints, including children under 12, individuals for whom fingerprint collection is physically impossible, and high-level officials such as Heads of State, government members, and their spouses during official visits.