I am a student living in Madrid. I recently lost my first Student Visa because I wasn’t able to renew the card before it expired. I went back to the states for 2 months to process another student visa, and now I am waiting for my appointment with MIR. I’ve been told that I need a NIE to process my student visa—however I was already assigned one with the first visa. Do I need to do the process again because my first one expired, or is my original good forever?

Any help or comments would be appreciated, thanks.

Mark

Hi Mark, I have never heard of a temporary NIE so I would assume that the one you have is still good. But I have never got one for a student so just MAYBE it was only issued with your original visa but I doubt it. I suggest you continue to use it - aslo look at the actual piece of paper does it say anything about temporal ?

Rob thanks for the quick reply.

I don’t have the paper with me right now, but I will look tonight when I’m home. I assume that if I don’t read anything about Temporal on the original letter they’ve given, that it is permanent. Although for kicks I feel like going to the MIR/comisaria and asking there. I don’t mind waiting a few hours to avoid possible migraines in the future. I’ll post my findings for anyone who may have the same problem.

Thanks again,
Mark

I always thought once you had an NIE it lasted for good.  I always make a few copies of mine so that I leave the original safe at home and use the copies where I need to, or get them authenticated by your local townhall.