What happens at your consulate filing appointment

Key rules

• Attendance: You attend in person and your fingerprints are taken; children attend with a parent.
• Counter refusal: A file refused at the counter means booking a new appointment, with a long delay.
• Reply deadline: You have 10 working days to answer a request for documents, or the application can be treated as withdrawn.
• Interview: An interview is possible but not certain.

The appointment is a personal filing

The consulate checks your file, confirms your identity and takes your fingerprints. Problems found at the counter can stop your file or start a deadline.

Who has to attend

Children attend with a parent. Exceptions for children, serious illness or other cases are the consulate's decision, so ask before the appointment, not on the day. A representative can hand in the papers only in the justified cases listed in who can file for you. You do not need to bring a Spanish speaker: staff usually work in Spanish and often in English or the local language, and if you are interviewed you may bring an interpreter.

Will you be interviewed?

Not always. Be ready to explain your plans in Spain, how you will support yourself and what your documents show, in simple, consistent answers.

What happens if a document is wrong

The consulate can react in two ways:

• Refuse the file at the counter. You then have to book a new appointment, which can mean a long wait.
• Accept it and ask you to fix it. You get a written request (a requerimiento) for corrected or extra documents, by email or notification (what a request for more documents means). Reply by the deadline written in the notice, and check your email, including spam, at least every few days after filing.

If you have a chronic condition, a disability or a dependent adult with you

Ask for an exemption or an adjustment before your appointment, not on the day.

• Send the consulate a written request with a medical report.
• The consulate decides whether to excuse your attendance or arrange another way to take your biometrics.

From appointment to visa collection

• Gather your documents, with apostilles and translations where needed: before you book your appointment
• Book your appointment through the consulate's online system or, where one is used, its outsourced visa centre: once your documents are ready
• Pay the 80 EUR visa fee at the consulate, and keep the receipt: when you file. An outsourced centre also charges its own service fee.
• Go in person and hand in the form, the documents and your passport: on the day of your appointment. Many consulates keep your passport while the visa is processed (passport custody).
• Wait for the decision and answer any request for more documents: after filing
• Collect your visa, with your ID and the collection notice: once you are told the visa is approved (collection)
• Apply for your foreigner identity card (TIE) in Spain: within one month of arriving

What to bring to your filing appointment

• Your original passport, plus a copy of its data page.
• The original of each supporting document, plus one or more photocopies. Some consulates keep the originals.
• An apostille on foreign documents, or legalisation through the consulate chain if your country is not part of the Hague Convention.
• A translation by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) of any document not in Spanish.
• Issue dates that fit: criminal record and medical certificates are valid for 3 months from issue.
• Two recent colour passport photos on a plain white or light background, facing the camera with a neutral expression.
• Spare copies and extra proof of funds, in case you are asked for more.