First decide where you will apply. Being outside Spain today does not rule out an in-Spain application: you can enter lawfully and apply to UGE while your stay is still legal. This plan covers both routes.
1. Choose your application route
- Residence permit from Spain: enter Spain lawfully and submit the online UGE application while you are legally present there. You must be in Spain when you apply.
- Visa through a consulate: apply at the Spanish consulate responsible for where you legally reside. Use that consulate's current instructions for its appointment, form, fee and document format.
2. If applying from Spain, plan entry and online access
- Schengen entry: if your nationality requires a short-stay visa, arrange it before travel. If you are visa-exempt, check your permitted entry and stay. Plan to submit the UGE application before your lawful stay ends.
- NIE: if you do not have one, check the EX-15 application and 790-012 fee. If you are still abroad, request the NIE through a Spanish consulate before traveling; this can be easier and faster than arranging an appointment after arrival, though processing times vary. You can also use FastNIE's remote NIE service (paid service; affiliate link).
- Digital access: if filing yourself, arrange an accepted way to enter the UGE portal, such as an FNMT digital certificate. FNMT requires an NIE. An authorized representative can file electronically for you if you cannot obtain access yourself.
3. Set up your work and self-employment records
- Self-employed applicants: prepare a dated tax, business or self-employment record from the country where you operate, plus invoices and matching payments. Your service contract must show at least three months of work with a foreign client. If your country has no formal self-employment register, use the equivalent records described in the document checklist.
- Employees: show at least three months with the foreign employer and obtain its written permission to work remotely from Spain.
- Applicants using a company they own or control: the foreign company you rely on must have at least one year of real activity. UGE asks for additional ownership and company records in this situation.
4. Make your document list
Use our printable document checklist and mark what you have and what is missing. Your core file includes a passport; employment or client contract and remote-work letter; foreign company activity record; three months of payslips or invoices with matching bank deposits; degree or three years of relevant experience; criminal records and declaration; CV; and Social Security and health-coverage documents. Make a separate list for accompanying family members.
5. Request the slow documents first
Ask early for company registry extracts, employer or client letters, degree records and experience letters. Apostille or legalize foreign public records, then obtain sworn Spanish translations of the final documents. Time your criminal record certificates and three-month bank evidence around your target submission date. Before filing, compare names, dates and amounts across the file.
6. Travel according to your route
UGE route: enter Spain lawfully and keep your entry stamp or other dated travel record. Complete any outstanding NIE and digital-access steps before filing. Consular route: submit your visa file to the responsible consulate; you do not need to travel to Spain to lodge that application.
7. Submit and monitor the application
UGE route: prepare the signed MI-T form, copies of every passport page, supporting documents and paid 790-038 fee form. Use the NRC payment reference when submitting through the official UGE portal, either yourself or through an authorized representative. Download the submission receipt, then monitor notifications and requests for additional documents in the portal. Consular route: follow your consulate's filing instructions and keep your application reference.
Official sources: UGE initial-application document list, UGE application portal and UGE FAQ. For a visa application, follow your own consulate's current checklist.
Change log
— Replaced the general timeline with seven practical steps covering route choice, NIE and digital access, document order, travel and submission. Added the FastNIE option.