Q&A · Timelines · updated 22.08.2026
Updated: 22 August 2026 · Verified against official sources
As a rule — just once: you enter on a national type D visa and simply stay, receiving your resident card locally. There is no separate flight "to submit documents" — the file is accepted by the consulate in Russia or goes online from inside the country. A second visit only arises for those who do not relocate immediately after approval.
The consular route is designed so that your case is reviewed before you fly: the file goes to the Spanish consulate in Russia, the decision arrives there too, and the national type D visa is affixed to your passport (consular fee — 116 €). You arrive with the permit already in hand and simply start your life in Spain. How this procedure works is covered in detail in our article on consular filing from Russia.
Everything else is done inside the country: registering with the town hall, booking a cita previa (official appointment), giving your fingerprints and receiving your TIE card. To apply for the card, the law allows 1 month after entry, and its production takes 30–45 days.
| Scenario | Trips | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| D visa and immediate relocation | 1 | You arrive and stay: huellas (fingerprinting) and card collection — no more flights needed |
| D visa, but relocation postponed | 2 | First visit — fingerprints, second — to collect the finished card |
| Filing from inside the country (digital nomad, arraigo — residence based on ties, change of status) | 0 extra | You are already here; the case is reviewed without you leaving |
| Family | based on the number of adults | Every adult must give fingerprints in person |
The biggest mistake is flying in "for a couple of days to give fingerprints" and leaving. A police appointment is not always available right away, and rebooking flights costs more than simply arriving with time to spare.
Not sure which document package your specific grounds require? Build a personalised list in a minute with the document checklist generator — that way you won't have to fly a second time over one missing certificate.
This is a preliminary assessment based on official sources, not individual legal advice. Your case may differ — we'll review your situation for free.
Official sources: BOE — Spanish legislation · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs