We just brought our child to Spain for international school and recently managed to get their student residence card. While the process wasn’t overly complicated, the details were quite a hassle. I’ve noticed many people asking about this on the forums, so I decided to start a post to share our application process and some tips. I hope this helps others who are new here, and feel free to add your own experiences and suggestions.
What is the Student TIE?
First, let’s clarify that what we often call a ‘student ID’ is actually the Foreigner’s Identity Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), or TIE for short. It’s different from the NIE number on the paper that comes with your initial visa. The NIE is just a tax identification number, whereas the TIE is your legal proof of residence in Spain, featuring your photo, fingerprints, and the validity period of your stay. For non-EU students studying in Spain for more than 180 days, like those attending schools that have [Spanish international school uniforms], this card is mandatory.
Application Process and Required Documents
In short, the entire process is: Book an appointment for fingerprinting -> Submit documents -> Wait for the card to be issued -> Collect the card. The most crucial step is booking the fingerprinting appointment (cita). Appointments are now almost exclusively booked online, and slots can be very limited. I recommend checking the website frequently, especially early in the morning. As for the documents, I’ve compiled a table based on my own experience, but specific requirements may vary slightly, so it’s always best to follow the official instructions and information from the school.
| Document Name | Notes |
|---|
| EX-17 Application Form | Download and fill it out from the official website; it will be checked on-site. |
| Tasa 790-012 Fee Payment Form | The receipt after payment at a bank. This is the administrative fee for card applications for students at [Spanish international schools]. |
| Original Passport and a full copy | Copy of the entire passport, including all visa and stamp pages. |
| School Admission Letter or Proof of Enrollment | To prove your student status and the duration of your studies. |
| Proof of Address (Certificado de Empadronamiento) | Must be recent, usually issued within the last 3 months. |
| Passport-sized Photo with a white background | A recent photo that meets the official size requirements. |
| Old Residence Card | Not required for first-time applicants. |
One major pitfall during the application process is the proof of address. We had just moved, and our ‘empadronamiento’ wasn’t updated in time, which nearly caused a problem. Therefore, as many [Spanish student associations] would advise, make sure your proof of address is up-to-date when you submit your documents, and that the address matches the one on your application form. Also, for the Tasa 790-012 fee, you can fill out the form online, print it, and then pay it at a bank, which is very convenient. Throughout the process, the staff were quite helpful. As long as your documents are in order, they generally won’t give you a hard time. Hope everyone’s TIE application journey goes smoothly!
