Thousands of Cubans living in Cuba and other countries around the world are still closely monitoring the progress of their citizenship application processes based on the Democratic Memory Law. However, the Spanish consulate-general on the island remains in a worrying state for many, as it explains that credentials for an appointment have not been sent for about two months.
“They say that they will stop sending certificates and that they are also not giving appointments for the submission of the naturalization application. The consulate is rumored to be reviewing the computer process for making appointments, as there have been many reports and complaints from people about the site being hacked and people taking advantage of it and charging you 10,000 to 15,000 pesos for making an appointment But in practice, you don’t know anything because the consular authorities don’t say anything, they don’t clarify, and they don’t inform the applicants,” explains an applicant who sent her scanned documents in June and has not yet received access authorization for an appointment.
When the applicants send their already-scanned documents to the Spanish Consulate in Cuba, they will receive an automated email informing them that their procedure is in place. is in processing. After this first step, a second email must be sent in which they will receive two codes as access data with which they can access an appointment if it is available.
“If it were true that they are reviewing the process, I hope they remove that from the credentials. That’s what everyone asks for. That is, when you submit your documents, they send you an email with an exact date and time so you can introduce yourself. And it’s over; something simpler You avoid the hassle of the certificates and the people who do business with appointments,” explains another applicant, the granddaughter of Spanish grandparents.
But lately, neither certificates nor appointments have been given. And it’s not only those who want to start the application process but also those who are already citizens and are hoping for a passport.
“There are people who have waited months to get the volume and folio and then wait for dates to become available. If you get an appointment, allow a month. And then another 45 days or two months to have the pass… the battle is tough, isn’t it? And they say that people who were registered in May will now have their passports released,” explains the interviewee.
Others planning a child or spousal application fear that documents that have already been legalized will expire,” for which large sums have been paid to managers.
According to the information, the consulate often does not want any documents that are more than a year old. Imagine how things are in Cuba—even applying to the registry office is a race full of obstacles! If I lose everything I’ve spent in this process, I’ll go insane.
