If you plan to travel to Spain and are applying for a visa from the UAE, you must now complete all appointment booking procedures in person. BLS International, which provides visa application services for Spain, has announced that applicants are no longer allowed to use travel agencies or intermediaries to obtain appointments.

According to new regulations, appointments can only be booked through the official BLS website, and any requests submitted with the help of intermediaries will not be accepted at the visa application center. This change has been implemented to prevent fraud, the sale of visa appointments, and the misuse of booking capacities.

The website has also warned that individuals should not trust those claiming to sell appointments, expedite the process, or guarantee visa issuance. The company emphasized that the final decision regarding the issuance or rejection of a visa is made solely by Spanish authorities, and BLS has no role in this decision.

In the company's announcement, it is stated that its staff will never request cash payments or money transfers from applicants to obtain appointments, expedite the review process, or increase the chances of receiving a visa. If such offers are received, applicants should report the matter through BLS's official channels.

Another important change is that once an appointment is registered, there is no possibility of rescheduling or changing the date. Individuals who wish to change their appointment time must cancel the previous appointment and book a new one from scratch. Additionally, any fees paid during online booking are non-refundable, even if the appointment is canceled or the applicant does not show up.

The BLS website emphasizes that booking an appointment through the official website of this company is free, and applicants should not pay individuals or other websites for obtaining appointments.

These changes also apply to spouses of EU citizens and EEA residents. From now on, these individuals must also book appointments in advance and will no longer be able to visit without an appointment.

Additionally, applicants in the UAE must provide a certificate of employment and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by an authorized company representative, along with their name, position, and Emirates ID number or copy.

For applying for a Schengen visa for Spain, having valid travel insurance is also mandatory; the insurance must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Source: Gulf Times