The Italian Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration (ASGI) sent a letter to the Italian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (September 14), calling on it to facilitate the issuing of visas. They also called on the government to update its instructions for Afghans seeking asylum, because their current directives are reportedly not feasible.

Asylum seekers face 'unsurmountable difficulties'

ASGI said in statement that they had received "reports of unsurmountable difficulties even for those who already have the prerequisites to obtain a visa according to current legislation, due to the fact that Italian diplomatic representation in Kabul is not operational."

According to the association, directions given by the Italian authorities to Afghans seeking visas -- "to contact any Italian embassy" -- were "not actually possible."

"The Italian embassy in Tehran, for example, asks for an appointment through the regular online reservation channels (possible only with an Iranian internet connection), while the embassy in Islamabad is inaccessible to most," ASGI explained.

Demand: More visas for Afghans

ASGI demanded that the Italian government provide specific, feasible directions to visa-seeking Afghans. They also called on Rome to guarantee that Afghans fleeing the Taliban regime can reach "countries where Italian diplomatic services are actually operational."

ASGI said it believes it is essential that entry visas be issued "for the family members of Afghan citizens in Italy." But they said that the authorities should go beyond just that and "accept visa requests other than those for family reunification (e.g. visas for study, for humanitarian reasons)" so that "those who fear repercussions on their lives as a result of the situation after the change of government" could move to Italy.