Initial authorisations
Your first permit is the one that raises the most questions. We are with you from the application until you have your card in your hand.
What it involves
The initial authorisation is the first residence permit, or residence and work permit, that a foreign national obtains in Spain. You can apply through different routes depending on your situation: work, family, studies, your own means or others. After it is granted, there are still important steps before you have your card (TIE).
Is this your case?
- You are going to apply for your first permit and don't know which route applies to you.
- Your authorisation has been granted and you don't know what to do about the visa or the card.
- You have received a request for documents that you don't understand.
- You want to prepare your application properly so you don't have to repeat it.
How we help
We start from your real situation: where you are, what ties you have with Spain and what you are looking for. With that, we choose the most suitable initial authorisation, prepare the file and submit it. When the decision arrives, we guide you through what comes next: the visa if you are abroad, Social Security registration where applicable, the fingerprint appointment and collecting your TIE. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
When your first card is about to expire, we help you with renewals; and if your first permit is linked to a job, see work permits.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an initial authorisation and a renewal?
- The initial one is the first time you get that permit; a renewal extends it when it expires. The documents and conditions differ from one to the other, so it is important to know exactly where you stand.
- My authorisation has been granted. What do I do now?
- Read the decision carefully: it usually sets out the next steps and how long you have to take them, such as applying for the visa, registering with Social Security or applying for the card. If you miss one, you can lose the permit. We help you make sure you don't skip any.
- With my first permit, can I bring my family?
- Family reunification usually requires you to have been resident for some time, so it cannot normally be requested straight away. We explain when you could do it in your case.
Last updated:
Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.