According to Vincenzo de Luca, the Italian ambassador to India, the responsible authorities in Italy are working to shorten the wait times for all Indians seeking for Schengen visas. According to Ambassador de Luca, Italy is currently dealing with a high number of Schengen visa applications, just like the other issuing countries, and they are trying to speed up the process as much as possible. In an interview with Business Line, the ambassador said the number of visas that Italy issued for Indians in the first seven months of this year increased by 38 per cent compared to the same period last year. The same stressed that the current processing times for business, as well as tourist visas, is 48 hours once the application is received. “We are receiving an enormous number of visa applications and are trying to speed up the process. There has been a 38 per cent increase in visa issuance in the first seven months of 2023 compared to 2022. The processing time for business and tourist visas is 48 hours after receiving the application,” Ambassador de Luca said for Business Line. In addition to the above-mentioned, the ambassador said that the authorities are also working to increase the number of permits issued to Indian professionals. Nonetheless, he did not reveal a specific number, meaning that the authorities are still evaluating the need for workers in different sectors within the country. “We have increased the number of work permits for Indians to 15,000 last year. This year, we expect an even higher number of permits,” Ambassador de Luca said. Moreover, he stressed that the country is seeing an increase in the number of Indian students. As Ambassador de Luca revealed, Italy has issued around 5,000 student visas to Indians so far this year. The same disclosed that Italy and India are negotiating a mobility agreement that is expected to create opportunities for health professionals and nurses. “We are negotiating a mobility agreement with India, and hopefully, it will be finalised by the end of the year. The agreement will create opportunities for Indian health professionals and nurses to work in Italy,” Ambassador de Luca concluded. Indians applying for Italy Schengen Visa are required to submit several documents. They need to submit the completed Italian visa application form, two passport-size pictures and their passport. Moreover, they also are required to submit proof of accommodation, a roundtrip itinerary, proof of having purchased travel health insurance, and proof of enough financial means, among others.