Spain’s Consul in Oran Outlines Measures to Ease Visa Delays

Spain’s Consul General in Oran, Juan Lopez Herrera, confirmed ongoing efforts to improve the visa issuance process during Spain’s National Day celebration on Monday, highlighting new steps to manage high demand.

The announcement came during an event hosted by Spain’s Ambassador to Algeria, Fernando Moran Calvo-Sotelo, at the Four Points Hotel in Oran. With an estimated capacity to handle 500 to 600 visa applications between Algiers and Oran, the Spanish consular services are facing heavy pressure, leading to occasional delays and technical issues.

Acknowledging the “seriousness of the situation,” Herrera explained that the consulate has implemented several measures over the past year to improve processing efficiency. Priority is now given to applicants renewing long-stay visas—those exceeding two years—followed by those with shorter-term visas, and finally, first-time applicants.

To streamline the process, certain groups can now apply directly without scheduling an appointment on the platform. These include professionals such as economic operators, individuals with family ties, academics invited by Spanish institutions, patients referred by Spanish hospitals, and minors under 18 applying for family reasons.

“We have optimized the resources at our disposal to improve the functioning of the visa issuance service and we expect to get back on track within a reasonable time frame,” said Herrera. He also emphasized the fairness of the process, noting that people with property in Spain are considered under specific provisions, not through preferential treatment.

Herrera clarified that figures on the appointment website do not accurately represent unique applicants, as many people attempt multiple registrations, inflating the numbers. Nonetheless, he admitted that the data reflects the exceptionally high demand for Spanish visas.

While the consulate has taken significant steps to improve efficiency, Herrera cautioned that it will take time before the pressure on visa services is fully relieved.