Working as an Au Pair in Spain

I can’t comment on the au pair issue, but my daughter just went through the process for a student visa through the SF consulate. It was super stressful, there’s lots of conflicting info out there, and it is indeed almost impossible to get in touch with anyone there. Some people on Reddit and Facebook groups said they did have success by faxing or by emailing every single day. It is currently all done by mail, no in person appointments needed. My daughter had submitted a stamped express mail envelope with her paperwork but when she didn’t hear anything after more than 4 weeks she went there in person and it was miraculously ready (I think they do visa pickup from 12:30 to either 1 or 2 — there were several other people waiting, and there was a security guard helping out, I’m not sure if they would let you talk with a regular staff member.)  They did say in one of their canned email responses that they follow the document requirements of the LA consulate and also that right now they are only processing “emergency student visas.”  So maybe after the fall rush things will calm down and you will be able to contact them.  Feel free to contact me but  I assume that if your daughter is going through am agency they would have additional advice and more accurate info.