Good Afternoon,
I am a US citizen and am planning a trip to Italy in June 2026. I will be landing and beginning my trip in Rome. I have an issue with my fingerprints and have recently had a tough time getting a usable set of fingerprints to start a new job. I had to repeat them 4 times and finally had to have my background check done another way. I am very concerned that I will be denied entry to Rome because of this issue. Is there something I can do ahead of time to prepare for this? Will another form of background check with my passport be sufficient? Should I call an American Embassy or an Italian Consulate?
Any information that may help me with this will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!
Joanna
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7019 posts
You aren't unique in having difficulty getting clear finger prints. Far from it. Passport Control has alternate procedures when this fails, Nothing for you to do in advance.
Posted by
839 posts
No. You might experience a delay if the machine doesn't clearly read your prints, but that would just flag you for a human to come verify that you are who you are. Your passport would clear that up; assuming you look the same as the picture.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
9190 posts
You will not be denied entry.
This is the process they use (if it is operational)... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4K3zIAjYNUw?feature=share
I have seen where if they do not get enough prints off the right hand you use your left. They are not looking for all prints, just a couple, probably not high resolution (like with a security check).
Worst case, if they can not get a good image, you see an actual person, and they resolve the issue.
I'll be interested myself, I am missing parts of two fingers, bad prints on another.