Public Policy
Study Abroad Spanish Visa Appointment Issue Resolved
On November 21, 2005, the Embassy of Spain reported to NAFSA that additional staff had been sent to the Chicago Consulate to aid in the process of getting the needed visas to students planning to study abroad in Spain next semester. The consulate is anticipating the capability to process all pending applications for student visas. NAFSA members have also reported success in getting new visa appointments.
Previously, institutions and students alike were having difficulty getting the necessary appointments to process their visa applications at the Spanish Consulate General in Chicago. The consulate had posted a message on its Web site in early November stating that no student visa appointments were available until late January 2006.
NAFSA and other colleague organizations who had advocated for a solution to the problem commend the Spanish government for its responsiveness. In total, more than 70 institutions reported to IssueNet the problems they were experiencing with the Spanish consulates, indicating that more than 2,000 students were affected. The information that NAFSA gathered through IssueNet was useful to the embassy staff in communicating the severity of the situation to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
NAFSA members are encouraged to continue reporting to IssueNet as visa or other problems arise.
Previously, institutions and students alike were having difficulty getting the necessary appointments to process their visa applications at the Spanish Consulate General in Chicago. The consulate had posted a message on its Web site in early November stating that no student visa appointments were available until late January 2006.
NAFSA and other colleague organizations who had advocated for a solution to the problem commend the Spanish government for its responsiveness. In total, more than 70 institutions reported to IssueNet the problems they were experiencing with the Spanish consulates, indicating that more than 2,000 students were affected. The information that NAFSA gathered through IssueNet was useful to the embassy staff in communicating the severity of the situation to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
NAFSA members are encouraged to continue reporting to IssueNet as visa or other problems arise.
