The International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) has opened registration for its 85ᵗʰ Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, to be held 23–25 June 2026 at Forte Village in Sardinia. Although a financial-sector gathering, the hybrid event offers a snapshot of Italy’s new all-digital visa environment – and of the documents business visitors must prepare as Rome tightens compliance after the EES go-live. Delegates have been advised to “verify visa and entry requirements for Italy” and to request invitation letters well in advance. Under the digitalised process launched on 1 June, every Schengen and national visa application must be filed online; paper forms and in-person consular appointments have been replaced by biometric capture at Visa Application Centres and electronic ‘e-Sticker’ approval. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is promising a five-day decision time for conference visas, but only if applicants upload passports, proof of accommodation and proof of funds to the new VIS-IT portal in the correct format. A hospitality fee of €350 applies to most observers, and hotel rooms at the venue are first-come-first-served. With flights to Cagliari already 26 % higher than last summer, organisers are urging early booking. Remote participants may join committee sessions via Webex, but in-person attendance is still required for voting members under IADI’s by-laws. Companies seconding staff to the event should brief travellers on Italy’s digital visa workflow, confirm that passports meet the Schengen 10-year rule now enforced by the EES, and budget extra airport time for first-time biometric enrolment. Failure to follow the new steps could see delegates turned away at departure airports or delayed on arrival.
Source: IADI
