Once you arrive in Spain, you will need to schedule a Tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE) appointment. This is in order to extend your stay in Spain. Typically, you get a visa for three months and you need to apply for the TIE to remain as a resident in the country. The first step is to schedule an appointment. To do so, simply click on this link, which will take you to the official website. The best times to search for appointments is at 8:30 in the morning. It is okay if no appointments are available until a month later, that is completely normal and expected.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: PROVINCIA SELECCIONADA: Choose which province you are living in. Ex: Sevilla.
Step 2: TRÁMITES CUERPO NACIONAL DE POLICÍA: Choose POLICIA-TOMA DE HUELLAS (EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETA) Y RENOVACIÓN DE TARJETA DE LARGA DURACIÓN.
This is very important because when I made my appointment the first time, I clicked on the wrong one and was not allowed in. Thankfully, I only had to wait two weeks for my next appointment.
Step 3: INTRODUZCA LOS DATOS DEL SOLICITANTE DE LA CITA
This is where you are going to input your personal information. If you were given a Spanish visa, then you should have an NIE written on it, if not, then simply select PASAPORTE and input your passport number.
Nombre y apellidos: First and last name(s).
País de nacionalidad: Nationality
*If you are looking for the United States it will be under EEUU.
Fecha de Caducidad de su tarjeta actual: The expiration date of your document whether it is your passport or NIE.
Sometimes it will say there are NO appointments available "citas." Try again at different times, but the mornings are the best option.
DISCLAIMER: In order to make an appointment, you need to have a Spanish phone number so that they can send you a confirmation code. If you do not have one, I recommend asking someone you trust to use their number.
DOCUMENTS:
These are the documents you need to bring with you to your appointment:
1. Passport
2. Copy of Passport/ Visa page
3. Passport Size photo
4. Proof of enrollment in school
*Be careful with this one and make sure it is the Code 12. I paid for the wrong one and had to make another appointment once I had paid for the correct one.
*In order to pay the TASA, you have to go to a bank or ATM. Personally, I went to Bankia, and the tellers were so helpful and helped me complete the transaction on the ATM. They will also staple the receipt to it.
DISCLAIMER: The total should be 15.76€, but the ATM does NOT take coins, so you will need to have 20€ in bills (notes).
Once you arrive, tell the security guard when your appointment is and he will check your name on his list. Then you will wait in line. It is going to be a while. My appointment was at 11:00am and I did not go inside until 11:35am, so simply be prepared for that. Then, you will go through security. Once it is your turn, you will simply give the agent all of your documents. He will take fingerprints of both of your index fingers. He gave me my passport photo back. Then, all you need to do is schedule an appointment to pickup your TIE card in approximately a month. The whole process was less than 10 minutes; it was simply the waiting part that took a while.
After your appointment, you will have to schedule to pick it up which is simply the same process, but instead you will select:
Policia Recogida de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extraneja.
That's all FOLKS! :D