The Italian visa processing system in Russia has undergone a significant operational shift. As of May 12, the two outsourced centers used by Italy — VMS and AlmavivA — stopped accepting submissions lodged by intermediaries. In practical terms, that means travel agents, couriers, authorized representatives, notaries, and lawyers can no longer hand in applications on behalf of travelers. The rule change forces every applicant to present themselves in person at the visa center with a passport and a confirmed online appointment, eliminating the previous reliance on third-party handling.
This move has immediate consequences for scheduling and processing. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) warned that available appointment slots have thinned sharply, producing long queues for in-person bookings. With applicants required to attend in person, the logistical load on visa centers has increased, stretching the system and creating a backlog that applicants must now navigate.
What changed and how to apply under the new rules
Under the updated procedure applicants must secure an online appointment and appear at the visa center at the scheduled time to submit documents themselves. The prohibition on third-party submission means no one else may file the application on their behalf. The required documentation remains the same — notably the passport and any supporting papers — but the practical requirement for personal attendance raises the bar for those who previously relied on intermediaries. The shift is intended to tighten control over the chain of custody for applications and to ensure identity verification occurs directly at the centers.
Why the rules were tightened
Authorities and industry groups link the procedural change to an alleged scheme uncovered by Italian investigators involving fraudulent issuance of Schengen visas. The crackdown is framed as a protective measure: by removing intermediaries from the submission process, Italian officials hope to reduce opportunities for abuse and make fraudulent channels harder to exploit. ATOR has publicly associated the measure with a high-profile criminal case that exposed vulnerabilities in how some visas were being issued.
The Tashkent connection
The investigation centers on a former diplomat, Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese, who served as Italy’s ambassador to Uzbekistan and then took charge of the mission there in December 2026. Italian media report that while posted in Tashkent he allegedly organized a scheme to issue long-term tourist visas to Russian citizens in breach of Schengen rules. Papadia is accused of arranging for Tatyana Tarakanova — a Russian national with an Italian passport and a former consulate colleague in Moscow — to be transferred to the visa section, enabling the alleged operation.
Alleged mechanics and participants
Investigators say Papadia and Tarakanova issued visas in exchange for payments ranging from €4,000 to €16,000 per permit. Three Moscow travel agencies — Happy Travel, Visa4you, and Park Lane — have been named in reports as involved in channeling applicants into the scheme. Italian reporting indicates at least 95 Russian citizens used those agencies to obtain visas and later entered Italy without meeting standard visa conditions. The case has prompted greater scrutiny of how visas are processed and who is permitted to handle submissions.
Impact on applicants and broader visa trends
For ordinary travelers the immediate effect is longer waits. ATOR estimated that applicants registered in Moscow and the Moscow region who now need to attend in person cannot secure an appointment before the end of June, while applicants outside the capital may not find slots until around July. When processing time at the embassy or consulate is added, the whole cycle — from booking an appointment to receiving a passport with a decision — may extend to roughly four months. The pause and backlog pose problems for time-sensitive travel plans and for businesses that arrange travel on short notice.
The disruption unfolds against a backdrop of rising demand. In 2026 EU countries issued Russians about 620,000 Schengen visas, a 10.2% increase year-on-year, and Russian applicants submitted over 670,000 applications — roughly 8% more than in 2026. Nearly three-quarters of those applications targeted three destinations: France, Italy, and Spain. The surge in volume combined with tighter controls has amplified pressure on appointment systems and consular workflows.
About this report and transparency
This article was prepared by a human journalist and translated from Russian with the help of an AI model configured to follow editorial guidelines. An editor reviewed every draft to ensure accuracy and tone. We seek transparency about our use of tools and welcome corrections: if you spot any errors in the translation or facts please contact us at [email protected]. To receive further coverage in English, consider subscribing to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates.
