Starting October 5th, Spain will launch a revamped system for managing visa applications in Cuba, with appointments gradually becoming available through a dedicated center located in Havana.
The Spanish Consulate General in Havana announced on Monday that the new Visa Application Center for Spain in Cuba will be operational at 31st Avenue, between 18 and 14, house 1419, in the Miramar-Playa area.
This facility will handle the receipt of applications and documentation, assist applicants, and distribute passports and resolutions once cases are finalized.
Nonetheless, the Consulate emphasized that the responsibility for approving or denying visas will remain solely with the Spanish Consulate General in Havana.
The implementation of this new system also marks the end of using Bookitit for scheduling new appointments.
According to official reports, since September 18, 2026, new appointment requests for these processes are no longer being processed through that platform.
Individuals who already have a scheduled appointment, have received credentials, or have requested them before that date will not need to restart the procedure.
The new Visa Application Center will contact these individuals via email directly. Authorities advised checking spam folders as well to ensure communications are not missed.
This change comes amid high demand for consular services from Cubans, accompanied by persistent criticisms, delays, and challenges in securing appointments.
Back in February, the Consulate increased the number of weekly appointments for document legalization by 35%, raising them from 1,000 to 1,350.
Later, as of July 1st, the availability further expanded to 1,500 weekly appointments, although many users continued to report delays and difficulties in obtaining slots.
In April, it was announced that the Spanish Consulate in Havana would begin processing certain Schengen visas for another European country, thereby extending the diplomatic mission's functions in Cuba.
Understanding Spain's New Visa System in Cuba
What changes have been made to the visa application process for Spain in Cuba?
Spain has introduced a new system that includes a dedicated Visa Application Center in Havana, where applications and documentation will be processed. However, the final decision on visas remains with the Spanish Consulate General in Havana.
How will existing appointments be handled under the new system?
Individuals who have existing appointments or have received credentials before the cutoff date will not need to restart their application process. They will be contacted directly by the new Visa Application Center via email.
Why is there a high demand for consular services in Cuba?
The high demand is driven by an increase in requests for consular services from Cubans, which is also compounded by ongoing delays, criticisms, and difficulties in securing appointments.