Doha – In response to ongoing issues and public protests regarding visa appointment booking difficulties faced by Moroccan citizens, BLS International visa processing center announced on Tuesday broad measures to resolve the situation.
Recent high demand for Spanish visa appointments and media coverage have highlighted the challenges Moroccans face in securing slots, with reports of broker networks monopolizing and reselling appointments at exorbitant prices.
This has caused significant distress for applicants, especially those seeking family reunification or educational opportunities in Spain.
A BLS spokesperson stated, “As a global leader in visa processing, BLS International is committed to fairness, transparency, and accessibility. The recent difficulties faced by Moroccan citizens in securing visa appointments highlight the need for action.”
“We are enhancing security measures, improving scheduling practices, and streamlining processes to ensure a fair and efficient system,” they added. They also said they are collaborating closely with Spanish authorities in order “to provide every Moroccan citizen with equal opportunities for family reunification, education, or travel.”
Key initiatives include publishing the appointment calendar on their website for direct applicant booking, increased security through encryption, multi-factor authentication and real-time monitoring, simplified booking, free appointments, and weekly slot updates per client instructions.
BLS affirmed its commitment to high-quality service and close collaboration with Spanish authorities to improve the applicant experience.
The announcement comes amidst growing public outrage in Morocco over the visa appointment exploitation.
Dozens of frustrated citizens have recently protested outside the Spanish consulate in Casablanca, demanding reforms to the electronic booking system and new cybersecurity measures to prevent manipulation by “visa brokers” reselling slots.
In response, the Moroccan Parliament has launched an investigation and is urging action by the Spanish government.
Civil society leaders have also raised concerns over the appointment system’s vulnerability to abuse despite repeated warnings.
Parliamentary inquiries are now directly questioning Foreign Affairs and Interior ministers on steps being taken to facilitate Moroccans’ access to visas as well as uphold their rights and dignity, free from monopolistic practices.
Read also: New EU Border Control Measures to Affect Moroccan Travelers
