Starting January 11, 2025, all applicants for long-term Schengen visas to Italy, including employment and study visas, must provide biometric data, including fingerprints, at their nearest embassy. This rule, already applied to short-term visas, aims to enhance security following Decree-Law 145/2024. While the process is brief, applicants face added travel expenses and administrative burdens. Fingerprints will be stored for 59 months, eliminating the need for re-collection in future applications.