Data Needed to Advocate for a Solution at Spanish Consulate

Background on Issue:

As many of you are likely aware, NAFSA has been hearing from members who have reported to IssueNet and on SECUSS-L that there is a crisis looming for students who want to study in Spain for the spring term due to the lack of available visa appointments at the Spanish Consulate in Chicago. Their Web site says "STUDENT VISA APPOINTMENTS AT THIS CONSULATE GENERAL ARE COMPLETELY FULL THROUGH JANUARY 25TH, 2006, TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT CAN BE REASONABLY PROCESSED. NO ADDITIONAL STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS CAN BE ACCEPTED BEFORE SAID DATE, NOR WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT."

We have also heard that members are having problems with the Spanish Consulate in Miami but haven’t heard any specifics yet about what the problem is in Miami. There may also be problems at other consulates, as well. We need your immediate feedback about problems you’re having with getting visas for your students at any of the Spanish Consulates.

NAFSA is requesting a meeting with the Spanish Ambassador for next week to work toward a short-term solution for this problem. We will also be working on devising a longer-term strategy to address the increasingly onerous requirements foreign governments are placing on U.S. students who study abroad, but for now, we need current data in order to address the problem at the Spanish Consulate.

Data Needed:

In order to make the case to the Spanish embassy, we need some good data on how many students this will affect.

If you are having problems getting visas for your students at the Spanish Consulate in Chicago or any other consulate, we urge you to report on IssueNet with the following information, no later than Nov. 9, as we are seeking an appointment with the Spanish Ambassador for later that week.

How many students from your institution are planning to study abroad in Spain for the spring semester?
Of these, how many students have not yet submitted applications to the consulate?
When is the program start date?
Have students already purchased airfare?
Use the impact description text box at the end of the IssueNet report to also share any other information you’d like about the problems you’re having in getting visas for your students seeking to study abroad.
Please indicate whether your students are going on an institutional program or whether they’re going on a program through another provider (and if so, please list that third-party provider.)

Go to www.nafsa.org/IssueNet to report problems you’re having with the consulate.

Read how to submit visa issuance problems to IssueNet

Regulatory Practice
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
1307 New York Avenue, NW, Eighth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
p: 1.202.737.3699
f: 1.202.737.3657
regpractice@nafsa.org