Getting an appointment with the Immigration Office has become a nightmare. The online system is overloaded—and that, of course, is a boon for the mafias. They take advantage of the desperation of hundreds of immigrants who can’t renew their residency or apply for asylum. And they charge them up to 350 euros for something that—mind you—should be free.
Organized groups use bots and other tools to snap up the appointments that the Tax Agency posts on its website. They then resell them via WhatsApp and social media. Prices vary: between 50 and 350 euros, depending on the procedure and how urgently you need it. And be careful, because there are also scams: they’ll sell you an appointment that doesn’t exist.
Leonardo, a Colombian with political asylum and an employment contract, has been trying for two months to book an appointment to extend his protection. He wakes up early, goes to the website… and it’s always full or gives an error message. He knows he could pay, but he refuses to. The problem is that his protection expires in January 2025. If he doesn’t get a free appointment, he’ll have to jump through hoops.
The police have dismantled some networks—including one run by Argentines who charged between 50 and 90 euros per appointment—but the business continues to grow. In 2023, there were more than 163,000 asylum applications, and the system can’t keep up. Complaints to the Ombudsman are piling up: nearly 3,000 last year alone. The General Council of the Bar has also criticized the government for failing to manage the demand effectively.
What should you do if you find yourself in a bind? First, don’t pay. If someone offers you an appointment in exchange for money, be wary. Keep trying on the official website at different times of day. If your case is urgent, you can go to an Immigration Office in person or ask an NGO for help. And if you find there’s no other way, file a complaint.
If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria
Need an appointment?
We book Immigration, DGT, Civil Registry and Digital Certificate appointments across Spain.
Request Service