Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional letter explained in English

Immigration office. Handles NIE numbers, residence permits and TIE cards for foreigners. Fingerprints and cards are done at Policía Nacional offices.

Letters you may get

• Requerimiento de documentación — they need more papers for your application
• Resolución favorable / concesión — your permit is approved; next you apply for the TIE card
• Resolución denegatoria — your application is refused
• Citación — an appointment, for example to check your documents

What to do

• After your permit is approved, you usually must apply for your TIE card within one month. Book the fingerprint appointment (toma de huellas) quickly.
• Keep the receipt (resguardo) of every application. It proves you applied in time.
• Find the deadline. Look for “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”). See the template.

Words you may see

NIE

Foreigner’s identity number. It starts with X, Y or Z and is also your tax number (NIF).

TIE

Foreigner’s identity card with your photo. It proves your residence permit.

Requerimiento

Formal request to send documents, give information or pay.

Resolución

Official decision.

Questions

What is the Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional?

Immigration office. Handles NIE numbers, residence permits and TIE cards for foreigners. Fingerprints and cards are done at Policía Nacional offices.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles” — they mark the deadline. In Spain, deadlines usually count from the day after the letter is delivered (notificación). A paper letter is delivered on the day you receive it; an electronic one when you open it, or 10 calendar days after it was made available. We estimate 3 days for post — use the real date if you know it. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”).

Can I read a Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Spanish. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Spain

Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) · Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) · Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) · Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) · Ayuntamiento · Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Organismo de recaudación / Diputación · Agencia tributaria autonómica