From work and family permits to study extensions
Residence permits for people from outside the EU are handled by the Oficina de Extranjería, the immigration office that belongs to the central government’s local office in each province. Which application you need depends on your situation, such as work, study or family. Many applications and renewals are filed online, including study extensions for international students, and filing a renewal on time keeps your old permit valid while the decision is pending. Once it is approved, the police issue your TIE card.
How it works
Find the immigration office and the right application for your stay.
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you usually need a residence permit to live in the country for more than a few months. The type of permit depends on why you are staying, such as work, study, family or protection, and each has its own conditions and documents. Apply for a renewal well before your current permit expires; in many countries, applying on time lets you stay while your application is processed. A first application, a renewal and collecting your card are usually separate steps.
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At a glance
Some offices work mostly online
Many immigration offices ask you to file online and only see you in person when they ask, and a few take renewals through a public registry. How an office deals with your type of permit, including study extensions, can differ from the next one.
Guides
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Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Cologne, Hamburg, and Aachen
Most offices in Liège, Charleroi, and Brussels
Most offices in Opole, Białystok, and Bielsko-Biała
Where to next
Immigration offices by city, with notes on online filing, phone contact and what international students and workers should prepare.
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