Increased Demand for Services at the Moroccan Consulate
The Moroccan Consulate in Tarragona, which is the only consular office in the city, has seen a significant increase in demand for its services following the approval of regulations aimed at the regularization of undocumented immigrants. Since the implementation of this process, the consulate's staff has been inundated with requests from citizens seeking appointments to obtain essential documents such as criminal background checks and passports, both of which are necessary for securing a national identity card (DNI). This surge in demand has prompted the consulate to extend its operating hours during the week and to remain open on weekends and public holidays, as confirmed by Consul Ikram Chahine. As of January 1, 2025, there were approximately 41,906 Moroccan citizens registered in the province of Tarragona.
Efficient Document Processing and Support
Upon the announcement of the regularization process, the consulate experienced an overwhelming influx of requests, with around 600 individuals attending appointments in a single day, alongside an additional 400 people coming to collect their documents without needing an appointment. This high volume continued for roughly two weeks before gradually normalizing, although peak days, such as last Monday, still see a significant number of visitors. Currently, the number of daily visitors has decreased by half. To accommodate this ongoing demand, starting February 4, the consulate operates from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and from 10 AM to 2 PM on weekends and holidays. This schedule will be maintained for as long as necessary, and staffing has been increased by three additional officials to better serve the community.
To enhance efficiency, the consulate employs real-time applications that connect its computers directly with Morocco. When a citizen requests a document, the consular officer inputs the information into the system, which is then transmitted to the home country for processing. Documents are subsequently dispatched back to the consulate via diplomatic mail. Currently, this process takes about seven days, a remarkable improvement from the previous wait time of six weeks. However, the consulate's responsibilities extend beyond issuing basic documents; they also handle the issuance of "certificates of conformity" to resolve discrepancies between various documents. Moreover, they provide interim certificates for individuals lacking complete documentation, allowing them to continue with the regularization process. Additionally, the consulate issues registration certificates, which serve as proof of an individual’s presence in Spain prior to the regulatory cutoff date.
As reported by diaridetarragona.com.
