On Monday, Mario Dueñas, a renowned expert on the Grandchildren's Law, highlighted several frequent mistakes that lead to application rejections during his weekly segment on CiberCuba. According to Dueñas, two primary errors repeatedly occur: the illegibility of submitted documents and improperly framed photos, where the focus is on the applicant's face rather than the identity document in hand.
"Previously, issues arose with the legibility of ID photos. Now, the requirement is to take a new photo holding the ID card, ensuring the card is clearly visible, not just the face," Dueñas explained. "It's essential to enter names correctly and adhere strictly to the provided guidelines," he emphasized during his appearance on the platform.
Dueñas noted that these errors are less common with the Law of Democratic Memory but are frequently seen in other consular procedures, such as document legalization. "When requesting documents from the Spanish Consulate in Havana, responses can take over a month, only to be rejected for minor errors like missing punctuation," he remarked. "There’s someone dedicated to checking for these tiny details, yet the process remains slow for those needing urgent document legalization in Spain."
On this week's program, Dueñas also discussed a significant update from the Consulate in Havana. Announced last Thursday, the new appointment system has officially launched. The pressing question is what happens to those who submitted their applications via the old system and did not receive an acknowledgment. The Consulate claims they will process these, but many Cubans worry about missing deadlines and consider reapplying through the new system, fearing a second registration could nullify the first. This concern dominated the discussion throughout the show.
Additionally, Dueñas mentioned an ongoing petition on change.org, advocating for a one-year extension of the Grandchildren's Law, currently set to expire in October. However, the petition has garnered minimal support so far.
Common Concerns About the Grandchildren's Law Application Process
What are the primary mistakes applicants make when applying for the Grandchildren's Law?
The main errors include submitting illegible documents and improperly framed photos that focus on the applicant's face instead of the identity document.
How does the new appointment system at the Havana Consulate affect previous applications?
Those who submitted applications through the old system and did not receive confirmation are advised that their applications will still be processed, though many remain concerned about potential deadline issues.
Is there an initiative to extend the Grandchildren's Law deadline?
Yes, there is a petition on change.org advocating for a one-year extension, but it has gathered few signatures so far.