How to Apply for a Spanish TIE Card: Are you Eligible?

Being a legal UK resident of non-EU nationalities, if you plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days, it is absolutely essential to apply for a Longs Stay Spain Visa from the UK. Additionally, you will have to apply for a Spanish TIE Card which is also known as Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero. This is also one of the significant steps to make your legal residency official. Whatever reason you plan on moving to Spain, be it for work, study, family reunification, or simply just plan to relocate after a successful Spain Schengen visa appointment, these particular residence documents will give you the benefit of a legal foreigner identity card in Spain. 

Hence in this guide, we will be talking about the entire process of how to apply for your Spanish TIE Card, what it actually means, and why it is so important to possess. Furthermore, if you need any support for visa appointments for a Spain Long Stay Visa from the UK, details will be provided before the end of this blog.

What is the Spanish TIE Card?

The Spanish TIE Card is known in Spain as Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero which when translated means a Foreigner Identity Card. It is a kind of official biometric ID that is issued by Spanish authorities to non-EU nationals who have been allowed to reside in Spain legally. The card will contain your photo, fingerprints, NIE number which is the Numero de Indentidicacion de Extranjero, and other personal data. 

Remember that the card is not a visa by any means. It is a TIE card residence documents that is only given after the successful issuance of a Spain Long Stay Visa or a residence permit. As you arrive in Spain with your long stay visa, you will have to apply for the Spanish TIE Card within 30 days. It is absolutely mandatory.  

Who Needs to Apply for the Spanish TIE Card?

Following are the pointers for individuals who can apply for a Spanish TIE Card:

• You are a citizen of any country outside of the EU and have been granted a long-term visa. For example, if you are a resident of the UK who is a citizen of a third-world country like India and has got its Long Term Spain Visa approved. The reasons could be anything like study purposes, work, family reunification, or many more.
  
• If You are a UK citizen who has moved to Spain after Brexit.
  
• If you have been able to obtain a residence permit or are trying to convert a temporary stay into long-term residence.
  
• If you are trying to renew your existing Spanish Residence Card by changing the legal status.

Note: Just to summarise, if you have been able to get a Long Term Spain Visa after attending the Spain Schengen Visa Appointment, the next step is to get the TIE Card Residence documents which becomes a legal requirement. 

Read More : Apply Stress Free Switzerland Visa from UK

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the Spanish TIE Card

Keep these pointers in mind as they are valuable information:

Secure Your Appointment

As you land in Spain, within 30 days, you will have to book your appointment or cita previa to the nearest police immigration office. You can even do it online through the official Spanish government website. Make a note of choosing the correct province and the service which will be titled “ Policía – Toma de Huellas (Expedición de Tarjeta)”. This refers to fingerprinting and card issuance.

Gather the required documents 

Here is a list of documents that you will need to keep in hand before both original and copies. 

• Valid passport. 
• Spain Long Term Visa or any previous legal residence authorization. 
• Complete the EX-17 form. 
• Proof of accommodation in Spain along with the address. You can show the rental agreement or utility bill. 
• Passport-sized photos as per Spain photo specifications.
• Local registration certificate also known as Empadromiento.
• Proof of the receipt of fee payment. 

Note: All the documents should be current, and clear and need to be translated into Spanish officially if asked by the officials. 

Attend Your Appointment

Attend the Spanish TIE Card appointment on time and bring all the mandatory documents. At the appointment, the officer will register your fingerprints, verify your identity, and confirm if you are eligible. At the end, you will be given a receipt or resguardo to confirm your application.

Note: Keep the receipt safe, as it is temporary proof of your residency status till the physical card is ready. 

Collect Your TIE Card

You will need to wait for like 30 to 45 days for the Spanish TIE Card to get processed. Then a notification will be sent to visit the nearest police station to collect your physical card. Don’t forget to bring your passport and the receipt that was provided during the appointment.

Note: We recommend that you check the card for any errors before signing to accept it. 

How Long is the TIE Card Valid?

The validity of the Spanish TIE Card entirely depends on the category Long Stay Visa or residence permit type:

• Student Visas: It will normally be valid for 1 academic year. 
• Work Permits: Max the validity can go for 2 years but you can renew it. 
• Family reunification: It will based on the family sponsor’s permit. 
• Permanent Residency: It will be valid for a maximum of 5 years. 

Note: Remember before the 60 days of your card’s expiry date you will have to begin the renewal process. Just follow a similar process of a step-by-step guide and bring updated documents to the new Spain Residence Card. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Remember these precautions so that you don’t make any uncalled mistakes:

• Missing the 30-day deadline: If you fail to apply within the 30 days after your arrival in Spain then it will result in further legal issues or fines.
  
• Don’t submit incorrect documents: If you submit missing forms or outdated documents, this will definitely delay your application.
  
• Not registering your address or Empadronamiento: You will have to register your local address in Spain. It is a very important step that many newcomers overlook.
  
• Assuming that a Spain Visa is enough: You will have to get the TIE Card Residence Document along with the Long Term Spain Visa to prove your residency. 

How Does a TIE Card Matter?

You can get a lot of benefits for daily life in Spain with a Spanish TIE Card. Most of the common features are:

• You will be able to open a bank account. 
• It will be helpful to sign a rental lease. 
• You can avail health insurance or social security. 
• You will get to access local services and benefits. 
• Nobody can stop you from traveling within the Schengen Region legally. 

To sum up, it becomes an important national ID during your stay in Spain.

Get Your Spain Long Stay Visa from the UK with Professional Help

One of the significant tasks in applying for a Spain Long Stay Visa from the UK is getting the visa appointments in time. During the holiday season, there is a peak demand for Italian Visa applications, and this makes it challenging to get visa appointment slots easily. This is where SPAIN VISA UK comes in. We are a professional Visa Agency that has 13-plus years of experience in this field. Our professionals can book your visa appointments in the most convenient manner, be it any time of the year. 

If you need a visa appointment on an urgent basis, then click on the “Apply Online” button now. Fill up the online form and submit it. Our professionals will contact you within 24 working hours and book your visa appointment slots, that too as per your convenience.

Final Thoughts

Though the idea for your Spanish TIE Card might look overwhelming at the beginning but is quite a straightforward process, if you just follow the steps. If you plan on relocating from the UK to Spain, getting your Spain Foreigner Identity Card is a very important official step that will help you to legally establish your residency in the country. 

Just keep in mind that the Spanish TIE Card is something more than just a mere formality. It opens a great deal of rights and features services in Spain. Just stay informed, get the correct documents, and get it done. 

We hope with this information you can get the Spanish TIE Card easily and start enjoying a new life in Spain!

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