The process of regularizing undocumented migrants in Spain has created a new reality for Moroccan consulates, which are now facing a surge of citizens in a short period of time. This has required the adoption of exceptional measures to ensure service continuity and prevent disruptions. DR ‹ › Moroccan consulates in Spain are experiencing unprecedented queues as the Spanish government's exceptional operation to regularize undocumented migrants came into effect on April 16. In this context, Morocco's Consul General in Valencia, Said Idrissi El Bouzidi, told Yabiladi that consulates have managed the surge through proactive organizational measures, ensuring smooth operations and avoiding disruptions, despite the Moroccan community being the largest in Spain. According to the consul, the consulate initially recorded a daily influx of around 600 people seeking regularization, in addition to about 200 others requesting standard consular services. While new applications have gradually declined, the number of people coming to collect their documents has increased. Consulates extend working hours On one recent day, around 300 people were received to submit requests, including 100 related to the regularization process and 200 for other services, alongside approximately 550 people who came to collect their documents. To cope with the pressure, consulates introduced several measures, including opening on Saturdays and Sundays, extending working hours until 6 p.m., and reinforcing staff by mobilizing additional personnel. During the initial phase, weekends were dedicated to applicants seeking regularization, particularly those requesting certificates of good conduct, a key required document. Requests for other documents, such as civil status papers, continue to be handled on regular working days. «The appointment booking system, which has been in place for years, helped regulate visitor flow, as appointment capacity was increased, ensuring requests are processed within 24 hours», said Idrissi El Bouzidi. Measures to ease procedures To simplify procedures, Moroccan citizens can now obtain certificates of good conduct directly from consulates in Spain, instead of traveling to Morocco. Applicants are also notified when their documents are ready through lists published on social media. The Consul General praised the organization and discipline of the Moroccan community, urging continued respect for appointments and patience amid the heavy demand. The Spanish government launched this exceptional regularization measure on April 16, allowing applications to be submitted online, with the possibility of scheduling same-day in-person appointments. Processing is set to begin on April 20, with a deadline of June 30 for submissions, as part of a plan to handle a large number of cases within a limited timeframe.
