Spanish visa resources
Spain's immigration authority
Spain splits immigration between the Foreign Affairs ministry (visas abroad) and the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (residence policy inside Spain).
Important
Responsibility for Spanish immigration is shared across national bodies. National (type D) visas are issued abroad by consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (exteriores.gob.es). Migration and residence policy inside Spain sits with the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (inclusion.gob.es), acting through its Secretariat of State for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones).
Once you are in Spain, day-to-day residence procedures are handled by the provincial Foreign Nationals' Offices (Oficinas de Extranjería), while the National Police issue the physical Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
Who does what
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation — national visas via Spanish consulates abroad (exteriores.gob.es)
- Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration / Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones — migration and residence policy and authorisations (inclusion.gob.es)
- Oficinas de Extranjería (Foreign Nationals' Offices) — in-country residence procedures
- Dirección General de la Policía (National Police) — issuing the TIE card and NIE
Contact and location
- The Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones is based at Calle José Abascal 39, 28003 Madrid
- Official migration portal: inclusion.gob.es
- Consular visa portal: exteriores.gob.es
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.