Russian travelers can now obtain Italian visas faster, as visa operator VMS has reduced processing times from 60 to 45 days.

VMS accepts visa applications in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk, according to 78.ru.

During the summer, high tourist demand extended waiting times for Italian Schengen visas to as long as two months.

Travelers planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Italy are advised to submit their applications by the end of October to improve their chances of receiving a visa on time. Applications should not be delayed, particularly for those planning to depart in late December.

However, processing times remain unchanged in regions served by another visa operator, Almaviva. Due to high demand, applications there may still take more than 45 days to process.