Italy suspends third-party Schengen visa applications in Russia following Tashkent fraud investigation

Italy has suspended third-party Schengen visa applications at its visa centers in Russia following a fraud investigation linked to alleged visa irregularities in Tashkent, according to reports on May 14. The move means applicants must now appear in person to submit documents with a passport and confirmed appointment, ending submissions through travel agencies, couriers, and power of attorney. For travelers comparing options such as a schengen visa from usa, the tightening shows how closely European consulates are now scrutinizing visa procedures across different countries.

The new rules were introduced after Italian authorities arrested former ambassador Piergabriele Papadia de Bottini di Sant’Agnese over allegations that long-term Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens who did not meet legal entry requirements. Investigators say the scheme may have involved Russian travel agencies and affected dozens of visa applicants, prompting Rome to review how applications were handled. Officials have not said the policy change is temporary, but it is expected to make the process slower and more difficult for Russian applicants.

Visa centers in Russia are already reporting longer waiting times, with some appointments now pushed weeks into the future. Analysts say the stricter requirements could delay travel plans and increase pressure on Italy’s visa system this summer. While the change applies to Russia, it reflects a broader trend in Schengen processing that also matters to people seeking a schengen visa from usa, where in-person verification and tighter document checks are increasingly common.