Spain to Introduce New Digital Visa Appointment System in Cuba to Combat Fraud and Delays
Madrid / Havana – Spain is set to implement a new digital visa appointment system in Cuba in response to growing concerns over appointment-related fraud and delays affecting visa applicants.
The announcement was made by Xavier Martí, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, following reports that intermediaries are exploiting the current system by selling appointment slots—some for as much as €500.
The initiative comes amid increasing complaints from Cuban citizens who report being unable to book appointments through official channels due to limited availability and manipulation of the system. Many have resorted to paying third-party brokers, despite the fact that visa appointments are free of charge through Spain’s official visa application process.
According to FACUA, a Spanish consumer rights organization that raised the issue with the Foreign Ministry, multiple applicants were left with no choice but to use intermediaries due to the "slow and cumbersome process" of scheduling appointments.
“The association has learned through complaints from several users that, given the slow and cumbersome process, some people are taking advantage of the trickery to profit from scheduling appointments for a procedure that is completely free,” FACUA stated.
In response, the Ministry confirmed that a new scheduling platform is currently under development and will launch soon, though an exact rollout date has not been disclosed. The new system is designed to improve transparency, accessibility, and eliminate illicit activity surrounding the appointment process.
Visa fraud and black-market appointment sales have become a growing concern, especially in countries with high demand for Schengen visas. In 2024 alone, Cuban citizens submitted 28,261 applications for a Spanish visa, according to statistics from SchengenVisaInfo. Of these, 22,642 visas were approved, while 3,258 applications were rejected.
Authorities hope that the digital overhaul will restore integrity to the application process and offer a fairer system for genuine applicants.
Source: Schengen.News
