On January 22, we were finally able to collect our new Spanish ID (NIE) cards, which completed the process of renewing our residency visa for the second time. After taking about three months to complete the process the first time (2018), this time it took over six months. So, what was different?
Of course, there were delays caused by Covid-19 and the related shutdowns. But, this was not really the major issue. Although, Covid did make getting Shana's passport renewed from here while the embassy was essentially shutdown, instead of during a planned but later cancelled trip to the US, presented its own complications. Surprisingly, or perhaps shockingly, we got the best customer service ever from the US embassy folks, which was terrific because Shana's prior passport did not have the full one year of validity remaining as required by the Spanish government to renew our residency.
In fact, it was the introduction of new technology that slowed the process by months. Two years ago, we collected all of the documents we needed and took them in late May to an office where we presented the documents to a person. That person reviewed the documents to make sure we had everything in order and we paid the necessary fee. About 6 weeks later our application was approved and we went to the police station with our approval, had our fingerprints taken and paid another fee. About five weeks later we had our IDs. Easy.
This time, we learned that the documents could not be submitted in person, but had to be submitted by computer. But, in order to do that, you had to have a special key card that allows the system to identify you before you submit any documents. Unfortunately, we did not have such a card, and because of Covid we could not get an appointment at the office that provides them. Fortunately, our friend Carlos does have the necessary card, and was able to submit the documents on our behalf. So, on July 10 we went to his apartment with all of our documents. After a bit of frustration with the on-line submission process, we collectively figured out how to do it. However, we could not pay the fee on line, but had to go to the bank the next workday to pay it. We then submitted the proof of payment by e-mail because at this point the on-line system would not accept additional documents. We thought we were good at that point.
But, no, not yet. About eight (!) weeks later we received an email that we had a message from the office where we submitted our documents last time. However, we could not access this document without a pin code. So, we made an appointment and went to the office that enrolls you into the system that distributes these codes. Unfortunately, we learned afterward that we could not use the code because now our ID cards had expired (on July 23) and a valid ID is required to use the code. Once again, Carlos came to our rescue by writing emails and calling the office on our behalf to explain that we needed to access this document, but could not. After some doing, and several days later, he got someone to send us the letter by email. And, it is a good thing he did so because the message stated that we needed to submit additional documents to complete our application. Two points to note about this: (1) we had the required documents at the time we originally submitted our documents, and if we had met with a person we could have taken care of it immediately; and (2) the hard copy of the letter came well after the 15-day limit that the letter gave us to respond. YEA technology! (Not.)
We submitted the final documents by e-mail, and then it was just a waiting game. Shana checked the system regularly only to find that our applications were still "pending/in progress." During this time, our right to be in the country expired (3 months after the expiration of our visa), so we were technically subject to deportation. Fortunately for us, no letter telling us to leave the country ever arrived and our application was finally approved on November 10 -- four months after our original submission.
Then, after paying another fee on-line, we made a quick trip to the police station to be fingerprinted and provide new photos (made easier because Covid-19 led the government to grant and require appointments in advance). Then, we waited another five weeks to return for our IDs, which were then not available because of additional Covid-caused delays, before finally returning to pick them up two weeks later.
Whew!
In any event, we are now renewed for "two" more years (through July 23, 2022), although all of the delays mean that we will start this process again in a short 16 months from now. Fortunately, at that point we will be able to seek permanent residency, which will allow us to stay in Spain indefinitely subject only to ID renewal every five years. Now, we have to find the office for getting the computer card needed to submit documents to the government. Ah, it never ends.
Hasta luego,
Jeff and Shana
