Mafias dominate immigration appointments: up to 500 euros per slot.

Getting an appointment with the immigration office is an ordeal. So, if you need one, get ready: computer bots lock up slots in seconds and resell them at prices from 40 to 500 euros, depending on the city or the procedure. Lawyers and agents denounce it — and things are getting worse.

Lhaussainne Ech Chahid experienced it firsthand. His INE expired in June and he could not get an appointment until November. And yes, he had to pay. Alejandra also tried — unsuccessfully: "Three children, at 40 euros per appointment," she explains. A sweet business for the criminals.

Inma Caballero, from the law firm Huerta y Asociados in Valencia, explains how the game works: the bots sneak into the platform, hoard the appointments, and resell them. And watch out, there are also scams — the appointment is not real and they steal your data. She herself had to resort to the Ombudsman for some Swiss clients who had been unable to register in the Union register for nine months.

In Valencia, some police station tried to fix it by authorizing appointments by phone — only from two to four in the afternoon. But now it is impossible to contact: always busy. A patch, basically. It doesn't solve anything.

The Government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, says that the ministries are working on improving service and digitization. But the agents are not convinced: there is a lack of staff and offices. Some people have had their residence card expired for half a year. The mandatory prior appointment — a legacy of the pandemic — should be optional, according to experts. Meanwhile, the mafias operate freely. So stay alert.

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