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With just a week to go before the deadline to apply for Spanish nationality under the Law of Democratic Memory (LMD), the Consulate General of Spain in Havana has issued an urgent statement aimed at Cubans interested in taking advantage of this procedure.
The message is not only a reminder of the deadline but also a clear warning about mistakes that could leave many out of the process.
Non-negotiable deadline: October 22 at 11:59 PM
The main warning from the consulate highlights a key fact: October 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM (local time) will be the deadline to request a valid appointment to begin the nationality application process under Law 20/2022.
The statement emphasizes that, according to the Instruction dated November 5, 2024, issued by the General Directorate of Legal Security and Public Faith, the appointment request must be validated with a Secure Verification Code (CSV), which is sent via email once the request has been correctly submitted.
This CSV will allow you to complete the file later, but if it is not received by October 22, the process will be considered invalid.
“To confirm that you requested the appointment before October 22 at 23:59, it is essential to have received the Secure Verification Code or CSV via email,” the consulate warns.
Warning about common mistakes
The Consulate has also denied misleading information circulating on social media, particularly claims suggesting that the automatic responses received earlier serve as valid proof of having requested an appointment. This is false.
In the words of the statement itself: “Automatic responses that were previously sent will NOT be accepted, as they do not provide legal validity to such appointment requests.”
Such clarifications are particularly important in a context where thousands of Cubans—over 107,000 according to official figures—have initiated processes, and where misinformation and anxiety have taken hold of many applicants who fear being left out.
Going to the consulate will not resolve anything
Another warning from the official statement emphasizes the futility of going in person to the General Affairs window of the Consulate to try to resolve issues related to the non-receipt of the CSV.
"Visiting the General Affairs window of the Consulate General will NOT resolve the issue for those who have not obtained the Security Code of Verification or CSV before October 22."
This precision aims to prevent collapses in in-person services and curb desperate attempts to solve the process outside the established digital system.
Technical issues and help form
The process has not been without issues. Many users have reported system failures, invalid codes, or difficulties in completing the form, which has led to distrust and growing frustration among applicants.
In response to these incidents, the consulate has made available an Incident Registration Form, accessible from the same appointment request portal.
This resource, while useful, comes amid a context of numerous complaints about mass rejections, lack of responses, and opacity in procedures, leaving many Cubans feeling like they are in an administrative limbo.
A process under pressure
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the entire application process is centralized in a single consulate on the island: that of Havana.
The avalanche of over one hundred thousand files has caused long delays and bottlenecks, affecting the flow of the system and multiplying technical issues.
Despite the consulate's assurances that they are working to "improve the system," the volume of applications may continue to cause delays even after the deadline has passed.
This means that although a valid appointment (with CSV) grants the right to submit the file after October 22, the process will be lengthy and not without obstacles.
Final recommendations
The Spanish Consulate in Havana has reiterated that only emails received from the address noreply@maec.es will be considered valid, and that any issues regarding the receipt or validation of the CSV must be addressed exclusively through the designated electronic form.
The warning is clear: no exceptions will be allowed outside the established framework.
In these critical last days, applicants are advised:
-Check if they have received the email with the CSV.
-Confirm that the code functions correctly on the electronic platform.
-Do not be guided by unofficial posts on social media.
-Do not go to the consulate in person without an appointment or CSV.
-Use the incident report form if any technical issues arise.
As the deadline of October 22 approaches, the Consulate has intensified its message to prevent mistakes that could be irreversible.
The last week is crucial for thousands of Cubans who hope to obtain Spanish nationality through the Democratic Memory law.
It will not be enough to have "attempted" to complete the procedure: only those who obtain the Verification Safe Code, or CSV, before the deadline will be able to continue the process. "It is essential to have received the Safe Verification Code by email," reiterates the consulate.
The diplomatic source has assured that it is working to resolve the complications and improve the system, but warned that delays may continue due to the high volume of applications.
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