How to get an immigration appointment step by step

Getting an immigration appointment (cita previa de extranjería) is, for many people, the first real obstacle in any procedure in Spain: without an appointment you cannot give your fingerprints for the TIE, collect your card or submit certain applications. In this guide we explain, step by step, how to book it on the electronic portal, which procedures need it and what you can do when the system says there are no appointments available. This is general guidance: the specific procedures depend on your province and on the route you are processing.

What the immigration appointment is and when you need it

The immigration appointment is the slot you reserve online to be seen at a public office. Not all procedures require it, but many of the most common ones do:

• Fingerprinting and issue of the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card), at the National Police offices.
• Assignment of the NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) for those who do not yet have one.
• EU Citizen Registration Certificate.
• Submission of certain applications to the Immigration Office, when they are not processed online.
• Return authorisation (autorización de regreso), when your card has expired or is being processed and you need to travel.

Bear in mind that a large part of residence and work authorisation applications (for example, the various types of arraigo (roots-based residence) under the new Regulation) are now submitted online and, in that case, the in-person appointment is usually reserved for the later fingerprinting of the card. If you are still deciding which route applies to you, you can get your bearings with our immigration route finder before booking an appointment.

How to book the immigration appointment on the electronic portal

The official, free channel is the electronic portal of the Public Administrations. These are the usual steps:

1. Go to the electronic portal of public administrations (sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es) and look for the Immigration Appointment section.
2. Select the province where you are going to carry out the procedure. Appointments are managed by province and are not interchangeable.
3. Choose the exact procedure from the drop-down menu (for example, "Fingerprinting / card issue", "NIE assignment" or the relevant Immigration Office procedure). Choosing the wrong procedure is the most common mistake and may invalidate the appointment.
4. Enter your identifying details: type and number of document (NIE, passport, etc.), name and year of birth.
5. Indicate an office and check the available slots. If there are any, select a day and time.
6. Provide a contact email and phone number and confirm. You will receive a confirmation with a reference code: keep it and print it.

What to bring on the day of the appointment

Bring the appointment confirmation, your passport and NIE, and the documentation specific to the procedure (application receipt, paid form 790 fee where applicable, photographs, etc.). Arrive early: if you miss your slot, you will normally have to book a new appointment.

What to do if there is no immigration appointment available

The lack of slots is the most common problem. Some recommendations that tend to help:

• Try at different times of day. Offices release appointments in batches, so it is worth checking several times, including early in the morning.
• Try different offices within your own province if the procedure allows it.
• Clear the cache or change browser if the system freezes after several attempts.
• Do not pay for an appointment. The appointment is free; reselling it is prohibited and can cause problems for you. Be wary of pages or intermediaries that "sell" appointments.
• Keep an eye on deadlines. If your authorisation or card is about to expire, save screenshots of your failed attempts in case you need to justify being unable to get an appointment.

If your question is not the appointment itself, but what documentation you need for your procedure, check your route's page. For example, the social arraigo or long-term residence pages set out requirements and documents before you reserve your slot.

Tips so that your appointment is not cancelled

• Check that the procedure you selected matches exactly what you are going to do.
• Use your real, up-to-date details; errors in the NIE or passport can void the appointment.
• One appointment per person and procedure. Booking several duplicate appointments may cause the system to cancel them.
• If you are not going to be able to attend, cancel in advance to release the slot.

Frequently asked questions about the immigration appointment

Is the immigration appointment free?

Yes. Booking an appointment on the official electronic portal costs nothing. The fees for each procedure (such as form 790) are a separate matter and are paid on their own when applicable. You should never pay a third party to get the appointment.

Do I need a NIE to book an immigration appointment?

It depends on the procedure. For the TIE fingerprinting or to collect your card you will need your NIE. For the first NIE assignment, on the other hand, the appointment is booked with the passport, since you do not yet have a number.

Can I book an appointment in a different province from the one where I live?

As a general rule, the procedure is carried out in the province where you reside or where your case file is processed, and appointments are managed by province. Check the guidance from your Immigration Office before booking in another one.

What do I do if a representative or lawyer handles my procedure?

Many applications are now submitted online through an authorised representative, without an in-person appointment to submit them. In that case, the appointment is usually only needed afterwards, for the fingerprinting of the card once the authorisation has been granted.

How long does it take to get an immigration appointment?

It varies greatly depending on the province and the time of year: there may be slots within a few days or delays of weeks. That is why it is advisable to try as soon as possible and not to wait until your card is about to expire.

In summary

Getting an immigration appointment is a matter of choosing the procedure correctly on the electronic portal, using the official free channel, and being persistent when there are no slots. Before booking, make sure you know which route you are processing and what documentation you need: you can start with our route finder to get your bearings.

Notice: this content is for general guidance and is up to date with the Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024), in force since 20 May 2025. It does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and appointment availability may vary depending on the province and the time; for your specific case, consult an immigration professional or the official source.