BLS DC has absolute no idea what they're doing.

Okay, as a starter, I submitted my application on 6/23 and it was registered on 7/27 and sent to the Spanish consulate on 8/2. It has been almost 2 months and my visa is still not processed yet, and I've tried everything. From calling my congressmen/ representatives, to calling the manager at BLS, and many many more calls and emails all over the place to get an update on my visa application but to no avail.

I decided to have someone pick up my visa once it is processed because I leave to Spain on August 29th and I simply cannot buy a flight to DC on such short notice. So, naturally I called BLS to confirm if it was possible to send someone to pick it up for me.

First person who picked up immediately sounded like he was aggravated so he gave me some attitude but said yes I can do so with a notarized letter. I don't know why but he decided to forward my call to another BLS worker, so another guy picks up and this one tells me that it's NOT possible to send someone to pick it up if I applied for a student visa. Immediately I am confused - your website even says that it is possible to do so, but suddenly now it's not? And when did this specification for student visas come about? I questioned him, but he wasn't able to explain why and just told me I can't send someone to pick it up.

So I decided to call the manager at BLS. I asked him the same question, and he answered yes, I can! WTF, at this point I'm flabbergasted at the different answers I have gotten for one question. He added that I can send someone blood-related to pick my visa up with a notarized letter. And so now I'm working on notarizing my document for someone to pick my visa up.

This all is so ridiculous! I am convinced that no one at BLS knows anything about what they're doing. I mean, how can I receive a yes and no answer to a single question?! Completely ridiculous and a consumer of my time and energy! Hopefully my visa will be out soon, will update.

Update 8/18: emailed another person at BLS and they said I must pick it up in person. I can’t make this up….

ANOTHER UPDATE: called the manager at BLS and he suddenly changed his answer immediately and said no it's not possible?????? I asked when did this new change come about and he just said "right now". Completely ridiculous. Guess I will be booking my flight to DC then.