Hi everyone,

I’m a UK citizen living in Russia with my Russian wife. We’d like to move to Spain permanently. I need to go to Spain and
“establish residency” to support my wife’s family regrouping visa. I will need a residency certificate, an NIE and a bank account.

In Spain we’ll be living with my father. 

I believe that it’s possible to apply for the NIE and the residency certificate at the same time, but I need to make the most of a trip
from Russia. Can anyone tell me : -

1. Can I arrange an appointment at a Spanish Foreigner’s office from Russia by phone, e-mail or letter?

2. Is it possible to downoad the EX 16 form for the residency certificate, take it to the Foreigner’s office and receive the residency certificate on the same day?

3. If I’m applying for the residency certificate and the NIE at the same time, how long does the processing of the NIE take?

4. Does the residency certificate really take 30 days to arrange (I’ve been told this somewhere) ?

5. On the NIE form what reason can I give and under what heading. We’re moving to Spain to look after my ill 74 year old father - plenty of medical documentation available?

I’m particularly interested in any recent experiences of the Foreigner’s offices, residency certificate, NIE processing - and how to do it myself.

My father has used assesorias and the like, but they’ve been time waster’s generally.

An exit visa from Russia is precious and I dont want to waste it.

Please reply soon. Thank you.