Italy Visa Appointments Update (2026): First-Time Tourist Applicants Facing Slot Unavailability
Many travellers planning a trip to Italy in 2026 are facing persistent challenges booking their Schengen Tourist Visa (Type C) appointments — especially under the Tourist – First Issuance category.
At present, appointment availability appears largely restricted to applicants who already have prior Schengen travel history.
What Happened in the Past Week?
Over the past few days, Italy visa applicants witnessed major disruptions in appointment availability.
As previously reported by Schengen Assist:
During 12–18 February 2026, Italy Schengen visa processing was temporarily paused across multiple locations.
From 19 February 2026, new appointment slots were scheduled to go live worldwide, creating a surge in booking activity.
These developments led to extremely high demand on appointment systems — and since then, availability has remained inconsistent, particularly for certain visa categories.
Now, a new pattern has emerged affecting first-time tourist applicants.
Current Scenario: What’s Happening?
✔ No Slots for First-Time Tourists:
Across major cities — including Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi — the Prenotami appointment portal and VFS booking systems are showing no available appointments for tourists applying for their first Schengen visa to Italy. Many applicants have reported that only those with a previously issued Schengen visa are finding slots.
✔ Slots Open Sporadically:
Occasionally, new openings do appear, but they are limited and often get booked within minutes. Applicants are advised to check the portal multiple times daily and refresh at strategic times (some travellers report better luck at midnight Italian time).
✔ Longer Lead Times:
Even when slots are found, travel planners are sharing experiences where appointments are available only weeks before intended travel dates — leaving very little margin for visa processing. Some reported bookings were just 10–15 business days before travel.
Why Is This Happening?
While there’s no official public announcement restricting first-time tourist visas, the appointment system dynamics indicate the following trends:
High Visa Demand: Travel interest to Italy remains strong, and overall Schengen visa demand — including for Italy — has grown back past pre-COVID levels.
Prioritisation of Frequent Travellers: Consulate systems tend to open slots for applicants with previous Schengen visas as a priority, as they are statistically less likely to overstay and their documentation is validated from past travel.
Limited Appointment Capacity: Consulates allocate a fixed number of slots each day. Because of high demand and limited availability, appointments for first-time applicants get filled extremely quickly.
What This Means for Travellers
If you are a first-time traveller planning Italy as your destination:
Expect delays in appointment availability
Keep flexible travel dates if possible
Build a sufficient buffer between application and travel
Italy remains a high-demand Schengen destination, and post-pause appointment dynamics are still stabilising.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting an Appointment
📌 Check Frequently & Strategically:
Slots sometimes refresh at certain times of the day (e.g., around midnight Italian time) — checking during those windows may help.
📌 Monitor Cancellations:
Applicants cancel appointments often; checking multiple times a day increases your chance of snagging a freed-up slot.
📌 Use Official Systems Only:
Always book through the Prenotami Italy appointment platform or official VFS portals. Third-party sites may charge but do not have guaranteed access — and many are scams. Consulates remind travellers that appointments are free and official communication never comes via social media.
📌 Apply Early:
Italy and embassies generally allow visa submissions up to 180 days before travel. Booking appointments as early as possible gives you more chances to find available slots.
📌 Consider Other Schengen Countries:
If Italy slots remain unavailable, you may apply via another Schengen embassy where appointments are open and Italy is your main destination — but this must meet Schengen rules on main destination claims.
Why Choose Schengen Assist? Expertise in Navigating Italy Visa Appointments
At Schengen Assist, we closely monitor real-time appointment trends, consular updates, and category-wise slot movements to help applicants stay informed. From processing pauses to sudden slot releases, our team provides timely insights, practical guidance, and strategic planning support — especially during high-demand periods like the recent Italy visa disruptions — so travellers can prepare smarter and apply with confidence.
🔎 Real-time updates on Italy visa appointment trends
📊 Category-wise slot tracking and movement analysis
📅 Strategic guidance on when and how to book
📑 Document-readiness support before appointment confirmation
⚠️ Alerts on disruptions, pauses, and sudden slot releases
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can first-time travellers expect appointments soon?
There’s no official timeline, but slots occasionally become available and are very short-lived. Regular monitoring is key.
Q: Are agents helpful?
Agents cannot create official appointments — they can only monitor and alert you faster. Always double-check before paying.
Q: What’s the best strategy?
Combine frequent portal checks with proactive early preparation (documents ready before you secure an appointment), and align travel plans with documented visa timelines.
Planning your Italy trip soon?
Don’t let appointment uncertainty delay your travel plans.
Stay updated with Schengen Assist and get expert-backed guidance to navigate Italy visa appointments with clarity and confidence.
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