Residence Card Applicants Require New Document
April 16, 2018
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The situation
Effective immediately, foreign nationals applying for a residence card via an out-of-country application whose passport does not contain a Spanish entry stamp must obtain a statement of entry. The new rule applies to all applicants in Madrid and to some applicants in other cities (assessed on case-by-case basis).
A closer look
Foreign nationals can obtain a statement of entry document either at the airport upon arrival, or if not arriving at an airport, by scheduling an appointment with the Spanish police.
- Airport process. Foreign nationals who do not receive a Spanish entry stamp upon arrival must obtain a statement of entry from the police at the airport.
- Out-of-airport process. Foreign nationals arriving by other means should apply for a statement of entry by scheduling an appointment within three days of arrival (the actual appointment date depends on availability). Fragomen can schedule the appointment. At the appointment, foreign nationals should present a passport and documents proving travel (flight itinerary and boarding pass, toll receipt, railway ticket, boat boarding pass).
- Current Spanish residents. Foreign nationals currently in Spain who have not yet filed their residence card application should contact their Fragomen professional to schedule a police appointment as soon as possible.
Background
Eligible applicants are required to file their residence card application within a month of entry. The statement of entry demonstrates that this filing deadline was met.
While previously, a Schengen entry stamp and documents proving travel to Spain were also accepted as proof of entry, these are no longer considered sufficient.
Impact
Foreign nationals who do not receive a Spanish entry stamp must visit the Spanish police three times (instead of the previous two visits) for the residence card application: to obtain an entry statement; submit biometrics and the residence card application; and collect the residence card.
The new document requirement is not expected to delay the residence card application process.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
