Dozens of Moroccan citizens rallied outside the Spanish consulate in Casablanca on Monday, protesting the difficulty of securing visa appointments. The demonstrators, including men, women, and youth, held signs reading “No to visa appointment monopolization by brokers” and “No to delayed visa appointments.”
Protesters accused a network of brokers of monopolizing visa appointments and reselling them at inflated prices, with claims of fees reaching up to MAD 30,000 for a single slot. Many participants highlighted the severe impact of appointment shortages, particularly for those seeking family reunification, and criticized the management company for being unresponsive and allowing automated bots to monopolize online appointment slots.
The demonstrators called on Spanish authorities to address the issue and take action against the brokers. They argued that this problem extends beyond Spain, with similar issues affecting Moroccans seeking visas for other European countries.
Frustrations over the visa system have grown, with some Moroccans facing expired legal documents due to appointment delays. The practice of brokers pre-booking and reselling Schengen visa appointments has been increasingly reported, creating significant barriers for travelers and students. According to Schengen Visa Info, these brokers often use bots to secure appointments, making it nearly impossible for applicants to book slots on their own.
The exorbitant fees charged by brokers, sometimes up to 1,000 euros, are a heavy burden in Morocco, where the average monthly income is just 357 euros. The protest underscores the widespread dissatisfaction with the visa appointment system and the urgent need for reform.
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