The online booking system for Italian visa application appointments (prenotami) is frequently overwhelmed due to high traffic and is sometimes temporarily unavailable. As a result, many people reach out to us because they are unable to secure an appointment and inquire whether we can assist.
We were recently contacted by an individual in Pakistan who highlighted a recurring issue with the visa appointment booking system. Many applicants reportedly reach the final step, selecting a date and time, only to receive an error message stating:
“The selected appointment slot has already been booked by someone else.“
He also drew our attention to the widespread presence of online advertisements from third-party agents who openly offer appointment booking services. It appears that the majority of available slots are being captured by these agents using automated bots or AI tools, and then resold at inflated prices ranging from PKR 400,000 to 500,000 (approximately €1,300–1,500), despite the official appointment fee being just PKR 10,000.
This practice is unlawful and openly violates the terms and conditions set forth by the Ministry (termini e condizioni), which state:
It is therefore forbidden to use multiple accounts related to the same person. In particular, the illegal use of access credentials such as login and password, and inappropriate use including attempts at multiple reservations using automated systems, is prohibited.
In case of violation of this prohibition, the authorities may close the accounts related to the person involved, and once an account is blocked, it is very difficult to reactivate it.
Attorney at law.
One of the leading corporate immigration lawyers in Italy. Admitted to the Milan Bar Association (1988) and to the Taipei Bar Association (2016), a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and an accredited partner of Invest in Tuscany.
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