Trying NOT to panic... Spanish visa problem

[Chirimoya]

What a pickle we're in! Mr C has his interview at the Spanish consulate on Monday - we couldn't leave it any later because of our travel dates. One of the requisites for the interview is a notarised letter of invitation from my family, but even though it was sent over FOUR weeks ago, it still hasn't arrived...

On the bright side, Mr C has always been granted Spanish tourist visas in the past, he has a valid 10-year US visa and a 5-year UK visa, so if he explains the situation armed with a scanned letter from my Dad lamenting the fact that the original letter was lost in the post and repeating the invitation, will he be OK?

We've already bought and paid for all our tickets and other expenses, because visas have always been a foregone conclusion in the past, but then again we've always submitted the requisite paperwork.

Our private mailbox service is probably to blame, based on their record of misplacing items. May as well have sent it via the DR postal service....

Any advice?

[Adrian Bye]

Just DHL over a new letter, you'll have it by saturday. thats a lot cheaper than cancelling the trip

[Chirimoya]

I don't think they can get it notarised in time but will ask.

[AnnaC]

Will they except a signed fax from your Dad?

[Chirimoya]

We have that, but it isn't a notarised original.

[AnnaC]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

We have that, but it isn't a notarised original.

You didn't by chance make a copy of the notarized original did you? The one that is lost in the mail? Oh wait, your Dad has to send that right?

[Chirimoya]

No! I'm trying not to get too angry with them because they already feel like crap, but they were much too trusting with the mail system. Didn't keep a copy, didn't send by registered post - just by regular airmail.

If they can't get a new one done and sent in time as suggested by Adrian, all I have left is Dominican optimism! The letter may still arrive by Friday OR the consulate will accept the scanned follow-up letter.

[Lambada]

Find out which Notary Spanish Consulate uses for their work & try taking scanned & printed documentation along to him/her for 'private' notarisation here in advance of Monday's interview?

And take all copies of previous Spanish visas granted to Monday's interview.

[Chirimoya]

All copies of previous Spanish visas - definitely - but what would be the point of getting a copy of a letter notarised here?

[Lambada]

I don't know how much 'Dominican bureaucracy' rules at the Spanish Consulate, but if it does, the mere fact of notarisation anywhere might help. The other reason was that the Consulate's own notary public might have influence/friends with influence working at the Consulate and he/she might be in a position to smooth things over and encourage Consular officials not to pedantically demand compliance with every last little detail .

From your and my reasoning, no, there would be no point but.....we're not dealing with your and my reasoning .