Now it can be easier for Russian tourists to enter Italy

Starting June 1, Italy will introduce a simplified visa application process for Russian citizens, replacing traditional visas with electronic ones. This was announced by Roberto D'Agostino, Honorary Consul of Italy in Yekaterinburg.

According to him, the new format will expedite the process of obtaining permits. D'Agostino added that Italy is ready to compete for Russian tourists, who are increasingly choosing other destinations due to bureaucratic obstacles.

«The e-visa doesn't exempt you from submitting documents at a visa center and through the Italian consulate, but it will simplify the document submission process and the timeframe. Currently, waiting times and even access to our visa centers are very problematic. People complain about waiting for months», - the consul explained.

The Italian Consulate in Russia only accepts applications in person for a limited number of people: family members of EU citizens, people with disabilities, and their accompanying persons. For all other applicants, including tourists, visa processing centers are VMS and Almaviva Russia.

VMS offices operate:
- in Moscow — for the capital and the Moscow region;
- in St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk — for residents of St. Petersburg, the Leningrad, Arkhangelsk, Novgorod, Vologda, Murmansk, and Pskov regions, as well as the Republic of Karelia.
Almaviva Russia branches are located in Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, and Samara. There is also an office in Moscow, which serves applicants from the capital.

Photo by Elena Lebedeva