FACUA, a consumer rights group, revealed that Spain is developing a new digital visa appointment system in Cuba to address widespread fraud and long delays. Although no launch date has been set, the system aims to improve transparency and accessibility while eliminating illegal practices like appointment blocking.

This initiative follows FACUA’s warning that intermediaries exploit the current visa appointment process, charging high fees for free appointment slots due to applicants’ struggles in securing timely appointments. Many Cubans have reported delays and difficulties, leading to a rise in the use of these paid intermediaries.

Cuban passport holders filed 28,261 Spanish visa applications in 2024. Of these, 22,642 were approved while 3,258 were rejected, according to Moving2Europe statistics. The new system is expected to streamline visa scheduling and reduce fraudulent activities in Cuba.