Hello fellow Expats,

I am an American Masters student studying in Madrid. For anyone who is in Madrid waiting on an NIE, you may know that the wait for an appointment is nearly 4 months. My original 3 month visa will expire before my appointment. I have travel plans during this time. Do you think I will encounter problems with immigration traveling to and from the UK (London) for a weekend holiday? The US embassy told me that I shouldn’t have any problems because I have a visa with multiple entries, and that the Spanish immigration officers understand that there is a long wait for the NIE. If I do travel, I plan to carry supporting documentation such as a letter from my university and a copy of my NIE appointment. How do think I will fare? Should I cancel the trip?

I can’t help you with the answer to your questions as I came here also looking for a similar answer to my situation.  We have been living her for 2 months and my husband is working but waiting on his work permit to be approved so we can apply for residency.  I want to take the kids to France and am wondering if this will cause any problems.  If you get an answer from another source, I would love if you posted it.

WE HAVE SOME AMERICAN CLIENTS AND FRIENDS WHO WAITED 2 YEARS FOR THEIR RESIDENCY CARD, THEY HAVE FLOWN IN AND OUT OF SPAIN WITH NO TROUBLE BUT CARRY THE OFFICIAL ADMISSION OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES.