New Italian visa rules spark concerns for study abroad students
From January 10, 2025, a significant change in Italian visa requirements will come into effect.
Visa Type D applicants, which include students on programs lasting more than 90 days, will now need to secure individual appointments at Italian consulates for fingerprinting.
This shift introduces additional administrative hurdles and financial burdens for students and institutions alike.
The new policy has drawn criticism from stakeholders in the US, who fear its impact on students’ willingness to study in Italy.
“In addition to the increased expense, many students will incur travelling to a consulate and the likelihood of massive wait times for visa appointments, I am concerned that this new requirement will impact students’ decision to spend a full semester abroad,” Melissa Torres, CEO of Forum on Education Abroad, told The PIE News.
End of batch processing
A major point of contention is the elimination of “batch processing,” which allowed US institutions to collectively submit visa applications for students.
This method streamlined the process and minimised delays. Jill Allen Murray, NAFSA’s deputy executive director of public policy, explained the ramifications:
“The policy change also effectively eliminates the option for ‘batch’ processing, which many US institutions have used to help their students secure visas in a timely fashion and increases the administrative demands on each Italian consulate.”
This increased administrative burden has raised concerns about the capacity of consulates to meet demand.
NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad have warned that there may not be enough appointments to satisfy student needs, especially in the short term. They have urged students to apply for their visas well in advance of the January 10 implementation date.
Italy’s popularity as a study destination
Italy has long been a top choice for US students studying abroad.
In the 2022/23 academic year, the country hosted 15% of US students abroad, marking a 37% increase from the previous year. However, the new fingerprinting requirement may jeopardise this trend.
Stakeholders have expressed concerns that the additional administrative and financial demands could deter students from choosing Italy.
“NAFSA is concerned that this new stipulation creates a costly burden for students who want to study in Italy,” Murray stated.
Some study abroad providers in the US are already considering adjustments to mitigate the impact of the policy.
According to Torres, several providers are exploring shorter program durations to avoid the need for Type D visas.
This could exacerbate the existing trend of students gravitating toward shorter study abroad experiences, which may diminish the cultural and academic benefits of immersive programs.
Efforts to address the challenges
To address these concerns, NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad have written to the Italian ambassador to the US, urging reconsideration of the policy.
The letter advocates for the restoration of batch processing, increased resources for student visa appointments, and the use of honorary consulates or local police departments for fingerprinting.
The organisations emphasise the need for swift action, warning that delays could have long-term consequences for Italy’s appeal as a study destination.
Broader context of changing European travel rules
The Italian visa policy is not the only upcoming change affecting US travellers to Europe.
In mid-2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will come into effect. Nationals from 60 countries, including the US, will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization before visiting Europe.
This additional layer of bureaucracy may further influence students’ decisions, potentially driving them toward less administratively complex destinations.
If you are interested in letting your property to students, accommodationforstudents.com is the no.1 student accommodation service in the UK.
