The Italian Embassy in Islamabad has issued fresh guidance for Pakistani applicants seeking Schengen, work, family reunion and study visas, explaining the correct channels for booking appointments.
The embassy has also warned applicants against agents and intermediaries selling visa appointments for money.
According to the guidance, applicants who follow the correct procedure and use the authorised booking channels will receive an appointment.
Applicants seeking short-term Schengen, family reunion and work visas must submit their applications through BLS Visa Application Centres.
The centres are available in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad.
Applicants must book appointments through the official The Italy Visa website at www.theitalyvisa.com.
The embassy said a waiting list is currently in place for family reunion and work visa appointments because of high demand.
However, it assured applicants that everyone registered on the waiting list will eventually receive an appointment.
A different process applies to people seeking a family reunion visa to join an Italian or European Union citizen.
These applicants can request an appointment directly from the Italian Embassy.
They must send an Italian certified email, known as a PEC, to the embassy’s designated consular address.
Applicants can find details about the required documents on the official website of the Italian Embassy in Islamabad.
Students planning to study at an Italian university must first complete their pre-enrolment through the Universitaly portal.
Once the pre-enrolment process is confirmed, BLS will contact the student to arrange the visa appointment.
This means students should not try to book their study visa appointment through the same process used for regular Schengen or work visa applications.
The Italian Embassy also issued a strong warning about visa appointment fraud.
It said it is aware of intermediaries and agencies that illegally offer appointments in exchange for money.
The embassy stressed that visa appointments should never be purchased.
Applicants approached by anyone offering an appointment for payment should report the matter to the embassy immediately.
The embassy said it is taking necessary measures to tackle such practices and urged applicants to rely only on official channels.
The latest guidance aims to make the appointment process clearer for Pakistani applicants as demand for Italian visas remains high.
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