Getting an appointment to apply for a Schengen visa is an obstacle course in Algeria. The scarcity and management of slots at European consular representations has given rise to a lucrative parallel market for the sale of appointment.
In a written response to a MP’s question, published on Friday 13 September, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf assured that the fight against these “ shameful practices » has become a priority for its services.
- Every Schengen visa applicant knows it. In order to have a chance of getting an appointment to submit the application, it is essential to entrust the practice to informal suppliers, in exchange for money. The activity of these facilitators » is booming in Algeria.
« Appointments are sold at exorbitant prices, up to 100,000 DZD »
Recently, the deputy for immigration Abdelouahab Yagoubi sent a written question to the Algerian government, calling for an effective fight against the phenomenon of appointment selling.
- « In recent times, the phenomenon of selling appointments through intermediaries, travel agencies or even unknown individuals, via social networks, has become widespread. “, the parliamentarian stressed.
According to him, these illegal intermediaries exploit the urgent need of some of our fellow citizens to travel for various reasons in order to “ illegally selling appointments at exorbitant prices, up to 100,000 DZD ».
- The MP also did not fail to mention the conditions” humiliating » which applicants are victims of in front of companies providing consular services, resulting in long queues in particular.
- Yagoubi therefore calls for an effective fight against this scourge involving several stakeholders, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Trade.
- He also asks for explanations on the measures taken by the government to put an end to this scourge and ensure treatment that preserves the dignity of our fellow citizens and protects their money.
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In his response, published on Friday 13 September by the MP, the Minister of Foreign Affairs specified that “ the fight against these shameful practices has become a priority for our competent services ».
- The protection specifies, in this regard, that “ notify periodically » foreign diplomatic representations as soon as such violations occur. The latter are also invited to ensure” compliance with the national legislation in force, as well as providing all possible facilities to Algerian citizens in the processing of visa applications in compliance with the principle of reciprocity ».
- Furthermore, the minister indicates that this awareness-raising work has “ given good results to date “. According to the same source, some foreign consular representations have adopted technical measures to counter it. the illicit sale of positions.
This includes the creation of websites that allow Algerian applicants to submit and track their visa applications directly, without going through intermediaries.
Furthermore, it was found that “ Some foreign diplomatic missions have initiated proceedings against persons involved in cases of extortion and fraud at the concerned missions “, added the ministry.
- Finally, the minister assures that he works, within the limits of his competence, ” continue their efforts in the fight against this dangerous phenomenon and ensure better treatment of citizens within diplomatic missions ».