Fingerprints and obtaining a TIE card in Spain

You've been approved a residence in Spain? Enhorabuena! It was not in vain that you went through a long process of planning, preparing and waiting for the Extranjería decision. However, when you are approved for a residence in Spain (when presented the application in the Spanish territory), you will NOT get a visa pasted into your passport, but only a paper about the positive decision. So what should you do next?

You need to go to the police to give fingerprints and some documents to get a plastic TIE card. But let's take everything in order.

TIE is Foreigner Identification Card (Tarjeta de Identidad del Extranjero), which is your official document not only for the right to stay in Spain, but also in the Schengen area. With it, you can travel, as well as leave and enter the Schengen countries for the entire period of validity of the card. It completely replaces the Schengen visa.

NIE is a foreigner's identification NUMBER. It has 2 letters and 7 digits. It is issued to all foreigners. For example, Y2727277M. Students, for example receive it when they receive their resolution on their study visa. This number is indicated in the TIE. However, the number itself is NOT valid without a valid TIE card.

That is, first you receive approval of the residence from Extranjeria. Together with it, you automatically receive a NIE, and then you need to get a TIE.

The documents for TIE are submitted to the police of the region that gave you a positive resolution on your residence permit (for example, students from the city of Valencia can register with the police in Sagunto and Gandia, because these cities are part of the Valencian region).

To register with the police, you need to:

1. Go to the Spanish Government website and select your region https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html

2. On the next page, in the TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA section, select the option TOMA DE HUELLA, EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA (fingerprints, card issuance)

3. Next, if you do not yet have a digital signature (Clave), you can book an appointment ("cita") for the visit and fingerprints WITHOUT it by selecting the appropriate option PRESENTACION SIN CL@VE

If there are no available slots, it means they have already been taken. If there are no slots to register for several days, it means it is better to try to register through those who catch slots for prints (there are companies and individuals who offer these kinds of services).

4. Enter your personal data: name and NIE number

5. Select the date and time for the visit

So, you have a slot. Now you need to prepare the following documents for the visit:

• Passport + copy of the main passport spread
• Printout of a positive resolution from Extranjería
• Photo (can be taken, for example, in photo booths)
• Registration (or at least a long-term lease agreement + application to the city hall for registration)
• Completed EX-00 form. Link to form https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/410169/2156469/17-Formulario_TIE.pdf
• Paid fee https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ImpresoRellenar.

Fill in the document, select the option "TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la authorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos." and sign the document. Pay at the bank, for a example in BBVA or Caixa. You can pay with cash

All that remains is to show up at the police station at the specified time, bring the necessary documents and give fingerprints. After that, you will be given a paper and told how long it will take to return and pick up your TIE card. Usually, the wait for the TIE to be ready is from 30 to 60 days.

At the same time, sometimes you may also need to make an appointment to pick up the card, but this greatly depends on the city and region where you are studying. Therefore, be sure to check this information at the police station.

At some police stations, you also need to make an appointment to pick up the card. To do this, go to the website with slots and select the appropriate department, the option "...RECOGIDA..."