More than 45 days waiting for an appointment at the immigration office.

Getting an appointment at the Foreigners' Office has become a nightmare. In Palma, you encounter the same drama every day: people who have been trying for weeks —more than a month and a half— going at it without success. The system gives you no respite: every morning the same little sign 'no availability'. So you get fed up.

Danelis is one of those cases. He has been living in Mallorca for 15 years and needs to renew his NIE, which expires on June 4. If he doesn't get an appointment, his job as a sales assistant in a clothing store hangs by a thread. He has even tried at the office in Menorca — nothing — and even thought about requesting an appointment in Asturias, which is really far away.

The desperation is such that he has considered paying 200 euros to a management agency to get a certificate that he is trying. But time is running out. A friend of his who works in the National Police confirms it: 'it's impossible to get a date'.

And what do you do if you're in the same situation? First, don't give up. Try every day, as soon as the sun comes up, which is when they load new appointments. Another move: look in nearby provincial offices, even if it's not yours. Management agencies offer the service, but be careful that it is legal and that they don't rip you off.

The appointment system is collapsed, and you know it. Demand exceeds supply and bureaucracy puts up a wall. Until the administrations wise up, we have to figure things out. Patience, but don't lose sight of the deadlines — they are looming.

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