Spain ambassador launches new visa application center

KUWAIT: Ambassador of Spain to Kuwait Miguel Moro Aguilar revealed that until April 2024, the Spanish visa section has received more than 9,000 visa applications, with almost 5,000 from Kuwaitis. In his statement during the inauguration of the new premises of the Spain visa application center, he noted that this figure anticipates a hectic summer, boosted by the latest European Union approval of a 5-year visa for all Kuwaiti nationals, provided that their passport validity allows for such a long period on their Schengen visas.

“Spain is one of the preferred and well-known destinations for Kuwaitis. To improve and render more comfortable the services provided to the more than 30,000 annual applicants for Spanish visas, the new visa application center opening has taken place on a timely occasion, right before the start of the summer season, which continues to be the peak period in terms of consular activity at the Spanish Embassy, despite the fact that Kuwaitis and residents in Kuwait have reoriented more and more their traditional choice for Spain to any period of the year whatsoever, and not only during their summer holidays,” Aguilar said.

“This coming summer, Spain expects to receive between 65,000 and 80,000 Kuwaiti tourists only in the province of Malaga in the south of Spain, which is a top well-known destination among Kuwaiti travelers in the summertime,” he added. The large number of Kuwaiti tourists being so important in that region, the ambassador revealed that his country opens a temporary office every year in the city of Torremolinos between June and September to provide consular services to the Kuwaiti population residing in the area of Malaga.

Aguilar pointed out that in February, the Embassy of Spain organized a successful promotional event in Kuwait, in collaboration with the Municipality of Marbella and the Luxury Association of Spain, at which “we were honored to enjoy the presence of the Major of Marbella, along with a few representatives of some of the best resorts in the Costa del Sol”.

“We sincerely wish and hope that the new visa center location we open today will offer a more favorable impact on the experience offered to visa applicants to Spain. That has been indeed the objective of the effort made by the embassy and our agent BLS, taking into consideration the growing interest and high expectations among Kuwaitis with regards to our country,” he said.

The ambassador indicated that every year, anticipating the complicated summer period in terms of the high numbers of requests, the embassy advises applicants to plan for their holidays adequately and avoid last-minute complications for a smoother visa process by applying as early as possible, considering that it is possible to do it up to six months in advance.

“On another note, and with the aim to avoid unexpected difficulties when traveling, let us remind applicants to apply for their visa at the embassy or the consulate of the country that they intend to travel to and check that the required documents are all correct and according to the planned trip, so that the visa application is not delayed,” Aguilar pointed out.

The ambassador said health tourism is a significant aspect of Spain’s global reputation, particularly renowned for its excellence in eyecare. “Many citizens from Kuwait and other Gulf countries choose to visit Spain for medical treatment in this field,” Aguilar noted. He highlighted the existing agreement between Spanish hospitals and private institutions in Kuwait, further enhance cooperation in healthcare services.

In an effort to facilitate travel and strengthen ties between the two countries, the ambassador revealed that there are plans to increase the number of direct flights between Kuwait and Spain, especially in the summer, and there are promises that from October, there will be three to four flights per week connecting Kuwait to Madrid as well as direct flights to Spanish cities like Barcelona and Malaga. This initiative aims to promote tourism, business and cultural exchange. Aguilar added that his country is excited as it prepares to host the Formula One Grand Prix in 2026, hoping to attract motorsport enthusiasts from around the world.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).