The Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru and VFS Global have inaugurated a new Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru, exclusively dedicated to Italy. Located in the Vasanth Nagar area, close to Vidhana Soudha and easily accessible from the city’s international airport, the centre is designed to provide an improved and more streamlined visa application experience.
The inauguration was attended by public sector representatives, consular officials, and key professionals from the travel and tourism industry.
Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "The new Bengaluru Visa Application Centre will enhance service quality, offering a more comfortable and less-crowded experience for those applying for an Italian visa. This centre will better address the growing demand from Indian citizens traveling to Italy, which is expected to rise further with the recent Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement between Italy and India."
He added that the centre would also help expedite visa processing and improve efficiency, benefiting residents from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global, highlighted the long-standing partnership between VFS Global and the Government of Italy, noting, “With 11 Italy Visa Application Centres across India, this upgraded centre in Bengaluru will be pivotal in meeting the increasing demand for travel to Italy, ensuring a smoother visa process and enhanced customer experience.”
The expansion of Italy's visa services follows a sharp increase in demand after the global resumption of travel post-pandemic. In 2023, Italian Visa Offices in India processed 91,600 applications, a 36% increase from the previous year. The Bengaluru centre is expected to contribute significantly to the continued growth, with the total number of applications in 2024 projected to surpass 100,000.