The ordeal of appointments at the immigration office in Palma: black market and desperation

Getting an appointment at the Foreigners' Office in Palma has become a nightmare for many immigrants. Take Magdalena Dybiec, a Polish woman who has been living in Cala d'Or for eleven years. Since November she has been trying to renew her NIE—which expired—and regularize her father. Every day she logs into the system and finds the same message: “No appointments available.” Desperate, she has asked for help from a management agency, gone in person to the office, and even thought of going to Menorca, where they say there are some available appointments. But the trip costs 200 euros, and without a resident discount because her father has no documentation.

The lack of appointments has fueled the black market. Organizations and individuals sell slots from 40 euros, according to lawyers and migrant groups. The National Police have already acted: in Manacor they arrested a 25-year-old guy who hoarded appointments with a computer program and sold them for about 50 euros. In his house they found 43,000 euros in cash. Phone centers in Palma and Manacor are pointed out as usual points for illegal sales. If someone offers you an appointment in exchange for money, be suspicious; it is illegal and fuels fraud.

For Magdalena, the situation is a bureaucratic limbo. Her father has a provisional NIE that is only valid for work, but he cannot register residency or access healthcare. The Cala d'Or town council granted him an exceptional registration, but it is temporary. Without the green NIE, there is no health card, and her father needs medication. “It's a never-ending wheel,” summarizes Magdalena. She fears a police check: although she is registered, her Polish passport and expired NIE might not be enough.

The Foreigners' Office only attends by appointment and the phone is useless. Magdalena tried to speak to an official, but the security guard told her to keep trying. “No one helps me,” she laments. Her story is not unique: another woman confessed to having paid 400 euros for the papers of her two-month-old baby, who still does not have a NIE.

If you are in a similar situation, do not resort to the black market. Keep trying for an appointment online, try at different times of the day, and if you can, go to other provinces. You can also seek help from migrant associations or social services of your town council. But above all, do not lose hope: media pressure and complaints are forcing authorities to take action.

If you have difficulties with your appointment or procedure, write to us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria