If you are a citizen of a European Union country, you have the right to reside and move freely in Spain. However, if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, you must:

• Register in the Central Register of Foreigners.
• Obtain a NIE (Foreign Identification Number).

Where to do it:

Police Station – Rambla Guipúscoa, 74, Barcelona.

Appointment required: via this link: pagina – Administraciones Públicas (administracionespublicas.gob.es)

Non-EU students can only stay in Spain for 90 days without a visa, so if your studies at BAA last longer, it is necessary to obtain a visa to stay in the country for the duration of your studies.

You can only apply for your student visa from your home country.

VISA APPLICATION FROM OUTSIDE SPAIN

WHERE TO APPLY?

You should contact the Spanish consulate in your home country to find out where you need to go to submit your application. The complete list of Spanish embassies and consulates is available here: Embassies and Consulates

TIMEFRAME

We recommend that you apply for your visa as soon as possible, at least between 6 and 9 weeks before the start of your course at BAA. Please note that Spanish consulates require you to schedule an appointment for a visa application, and it usually takes between 10 and 40 days to process.

❗ Important: The visa must be applied for from your country of origin. It is not possible to apply from within Spain.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Below are the required documents that you will need to submit to the Spanish embassy in the country of application.

— Completed visa application form.

— Valid passport (+ copy of all pages).

— Two recent passport-sized photos

— Invitation letter from BAA for a full-time or part-time program (with a minimum of 20 teaching hours per week). To send the documentation, we require that the student has paid the non-refundable deposit (10% of the total tuition price).

— Confirmation of payment for your course reservation.

— Academic program of BAA

— Comprehensive medical insurance without waiting periods and without co-payments.

— Proof of financial means (at least €540 for each month you stay in Spain).

— Proof of accommodation (rental contract, invitation from the host (Act of Declaration) – if you plan to stay during your studies at friends’ or family members’ homes)

— Visa application fee

If the visa is requested for a period longer than six months, you must also provide:

— Medical certificate confirming that the student does not have any disease that requires quarantine

— Criminal record certificate + apostille certificate (issued in the last five years by the relevant authorities in your home country)

Please note that:

— The consulate may ask for additional documents. We recommend contacting them directly to confirm the documentation.

— The additional documents required may vary depending on each consulate or the regulations of your home country.

UPON ARRIVAL IN SPAIN: Applying for the TIE

Once you have your long-term Type D visa in your passport and have arrived in Spain, you can apply for your TIE card.
You have a maximum of 30 calendar days to start the process of applying for the Residence Authorization for Studies and obtain the TIE (Foreigner Identification Card).

The TIE is a temporary residence permit valid for the duration of your studies in Spain. The permit is granted for a maximum of one academic year and is renewed annually, as long as the studies have not been completed and good progress in the previous course is demonstrated.

STEP 1: Empadronamiento Registration at the City Hall. Instructions for obtaining an appointment for empadronamiento registration (pdf) and documentation to be provided.

STEP 2: Request an appointment at the police station through the Public Administration website. How to obtain an appointment for the TIE (pdf).

Documentation to be provided

• Form EX-17 (original + copy)
• Copy of your passport
• BAA acceptance letter
• Three passport-sized photos
• City registration certificate (empadronamiento)
• Appointment confirmation
• Proof of payment for Form 790-012 (How to pay Fee 790 Code 012)
• Appointment confirmation

Important: When submitting documents from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish through certified translation and properly legalized/apostilled.

STEP 3: Collecting the TIE: To collect the card at the police station, it will also be necessary to make an appointment through this link: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus. Option: Recogida de Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE)

RENEWAL OF TIE

The process of renewing your NIE/TIE for study stays includes several steps and links. Here you can find all the information to follow for the process:

STEP 1: Documentation to be submitted for the visa extension application

— Extension fees: Model 790 code 052–

Click on Fill Form and Download

Box: 1.3. Prórroga de la autorización de estancia por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, prácticas no laborales o servicios de voluntariado (titular principal y sus familiares)

— Application Form Ex – 00 (original and copy)

— Original and copy of your passport

— Original and copy of your TIE

— In case of having changed your address, you must provide the original and a copy of the new registration of your address called “empadronamiento”.

— Original and a copy of your private health insurance (Medical Insurance without waiting periods).

— Certificate of academic progress at BAA and enrollment renewal. Proof of payment for the course.

— Documentation proving that you have the necessary financial means for the requested period (bank statement showing your balance of at least 6480 euros (540 euros x 12 months).

Place of submission:

To request an appointment fill in this form: CITA RENOVACIÓN

You may also submit your application electronically if you have a digital certificate (FNMT).

Application period: during the 60 calendar days prior to the expiration date of the authorization’s validity. It can also be submitted within 90 calendar days after, without prejudice to the initiation of the corresponding sanctioning procedure.

Consequences of timely submission: the initial stay authorization continues to be valid until the resolution of the extension application.

Resolution period of the application: 3 months counted from the day after the date it was registered. You can check the status of your renewal here.

STEP 2: New TIE application: After approval, book an appointment at the police office for fingerprinting.

On this link, select: cita previa de extranjería; Barcelona / expedición de tarjeta de identidad extranjero; toma de huellas; fill out the form; choose the time slot; print an appointment confirmation.

Documentation to be submitted for the visa extension application:

— Application form EX-17 (original and copy)

— Passport and copy

— Two passport-sized photos

— Current or recently expired NIE card

— Printed screenshot of the “Resultado – Favorable” from the resolution.

— In case of a change of address, you must provide a new “empadronamiento” with a new address.

— Paid receipt for the application fee (Fee 790-012): box “TIE que documenta la renovación de la autorización de residencia temporal o la prórroga de la estancia o de la autorización para trabajadores transfronterizos.“

STEP 3: Collection of your card.

Wait 40 days for your TIE to be processed and collect your card at the address CNP Mallorca, 213.

You must make an appointment:

Select: cita previa extranjería> Barcelona

Office: CNP MALLORCA GRANADOS

Trámites Cuerpo Policial: POLICÍA RECOGIDA DE TARJETA

At the appointment, you must provide the following documentation:

— Passport

— Old NIE card

— Application receipt (this document will be given to you after your appointment for fingerprinting – STEP 2)

📞 Useful Contact Information

Barcelona Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjería)

• Web form: Contact Extranjería
• Phone: +34 93 520 14 10 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–14:00)

💻 How to Obtain a Digital Certificate (FNMT)

A digital certificate is needed for submitting documents electronically. Here’s how to get it:

1. Request a 9-digit code:
   Request Certificate

1. With the code, valid TIE and passport, book an appointment via email:
   📧 acreditacionelectronicaoamr-dg.cat@correo.gob.es
   Go to the OAMR office (Bergara 12) to verify your identity.

1. After verification, download your digital certificate on the same device/browser.

🛑 Both your TIE and passport must be valid. Otherwise, the certificate cannot be issued.