Immigration appointments are being sold illegally: here's how to avoid it

Have you tried to make an appointment at the immigration office in your province? Well, you surely know what an ordeal it is. Websites crash, appointment slots fill up in the blink of an eye, and, in the end, you’re left feeling desperate. Well, that frustration has a name: the black market for appointments. And the authorities, for now, haven’t been able to put a stop to it. So be patient—and be careful.

The National Police have carried out several operations against networks that resell appointments, but the business continues. Prices can reach 150 euros for an appointment that, in theory, is free. Those who need to renew their residence permit or apply for citizenship are the ones who suffer the most. They pay because they have no other choice: their legal status depends on that piece of paper. And that’s a bad situation.

How does this work? Appointment traffickers use automated programs—bots, basically—to snap them up as soon as they open. They then sell them on Telegram, WhatsApp, or websites. Some even use fake identities to book appointments at different offices. The Immigration Brigade has found that a single phone number can be behind dozens of bookings. So you see, the scheme is sophisticated.

The government has tried to stop the fraud. They’ve implemented CAPTCHAs, SMS codes... but the bots adapt. In provinces like Madrid or Barcelona, the problem is huge. Demand far outstrips supply. And until they allocate more human and technical resources, the scams will continue unchecked. And you, in the meantime, just have to wait.

If you’re in the middle of the paperwork, you should know this: never pay for an appointment. It’s illegal, and on top of that, you could lose your money without getting anything in return. The police warn: buying a fake appointment can harm your case. Official appointments are free. If you see a price, be suspicious. Now you know.

What if you can’t get an appointment? Try visiting the Ministry of Inclusion’s website first thing in the morning—new slots become available. You can also ask for help from immigrant associations or your local city hall. Some organizations can help you schedule the appointment without intermediaries. So take action and don’t pay.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria