MADRID, Spain.- The consulate of Spain en Cuba reported this Tuesday that Cuban citizens who try to obtain an appointment to apply for a Schengen visa will be blocked from the platform.
This is due, according to the entity, to the fact that the capacities during the next opening of the online platform will only be for official organizations.
“Schengen Visa appointments for official organizations. They are EXCLUSIVE for ministries and official organizations authorized by the Consulate”, specified the diplomatic headquarters through the social network Twitter.
“Individuals with an appointment for this agenda will NOT be attended at the window and their user will be blocked,” added the consulate.
Appointments “SCHENGEN VISAS FOR OFFICIAL ORGANISMS” ‼️
✅ They are EXCLUSIVE for ministries and official organizations authorized by @ConsEspLaHavana
❌ Individuals with an appointment for this agenda will NOT be attended at the window and their user will be blocked pic.twitter.com/4ipGoPkdrk
— ConsEspLaHabana (@ConsEspLaHabana) March 7, 2023
As expected, the news has not been well received by Cubans, who have reacted through comments on the publication.
“Official visas for organizations of a tyrannical government and for citizens and family members, you have to work miracles to get an appointment,” denounced the user @LilliamB6.
While @ibraelillo commented: “What I still don’t get is why a ministry needs a Schengen visa, if that visa doesn’t allow you to work during your stay. Or could it be that you are obtaining vacation visas from Cuban ministers? Wow, if it looks like a bribe it’s pure coincidence.”
It is worth noting that this visa allows stays in the Schengen area of up to 90 days (in any 180-day period) for reasons of tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, to carry out studies, non-work practices or volunteer activities, or for other non-profit activities. It also allows territorial and airport transit.
The Schengen area covers 26 European countries with no border controls between them. These are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland , Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.
