New Italian Visa Application Centre Opens in India

Italy has opened a new visa application center in New Delhi, India, to streamline the process for Indian citizens seeking Italian Schengen visas. The center, managed by VFS Global, aims to enhance service quality and accommodate the rising demand for visas, particularly as a mobility and migration partnership agreement between Italy and India is set to take effect.

The Italian Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, highlighted the embassy's goal of reaching a record number of processed visa applications by the end of the year. In 2022, approximately 67,000 visa applications were processed, which surged to 91,600 in 2023. With the new center, further increases in application numbers are anticipated, potentially surpassing 100,000 by year-end.

The surge in visa applications aligns with the recent opening of a new Consulate General of Italy in Bangalore, which has contributed to a 28% increase in requests within the first half of 2024. This growing trend reflects heightened interest among Indian travelers wishing to visit Italy, driven by tourism and educational opportunities.

However, applicants from certain countries, including some in Africa and Asia, face challenges in obtaining Schengen visas due to higher rejection rates. Despite this, Italy remains a popular choice, ranking fourth among countries for visa requests in 2023, with 1.1 million applications received. This new center is expected to facilitate a smoother application process for Indian nationals.