¡Felicidades!
You have your student visa and plane ticket in hand!
First, take a breath and celebrate. The visa application process is stressful, and you’re now one step closer to heading to España for a phenomenal adventure.
Good? Excited? Alright, let’s talk about what you can do now that your visa is in hand.
But before we do that, let’s clear something up!
Difference between NIE and TIE
Your visa is only valid for a certain amount of time, generally 180 days. Obviously it will expire while you are here in Spain.
Don’t panic!
This is because your visa is only the first step in being able to apply for your foreigner’s identity card or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE). This card will allow you to stay in Spain for the duration of your teaching program. To qualify for this you need the Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) which is the number given to you with your student visa.
For a brief overview of the NIE & TIE, along with what you have to do when you’re here, check out this 90 second video:
Next Steps After You Get Your Visa
Ok, logistics out of the way, let’s talk next steps.
- Start planning for packing. It may be too soon to pack, but it’s a good idea to start thinking ahead. Think about if you need to purchase some things you know you won’t be able to find here in Spain. Check out some more packing tips here.
- Prepare your paperwork. There are some documents you need to bring with you, including your carta de nombramiento and your original background check. Make sure you pack these in a safe place. (I usually carry paperwork with me in my personal item or carry-on). It’s also a good idea to scan all of these, plus your passport, and keep digital copies.
- Save money. You will be on a tight budget while you’re here, so it’s a good idea to save while you can. You’ll be thankful for the times you said goodbye to friends over coffee instead of dinner when you’re here itching to travel.
- Contact your school. School isn’t in session until September, so you won’t hear from your coordinator until at least half-way through the month. Make sure to check your email regularly around that time, and respond! Your coordinator is an excellent resource once you are here and it’s good to get off to a strong start by introducing yourself.
- Practice your Spanish. If you’re in a bigger city like Madrid, it’ll be a bit easier getting around with English, or a mix of English and Spanish. However, for things like scheduling appointments, looking at apartments, and daily life like ordering in restaurants, it’s a good idea to come in with at least some basic Spanish. (By the way, in the Aux in Spain online course, each module comes with useful Spanish vocabulary related to the topic!).
And last but not least!
6. Be present. If you’re anything like me, you may be so excited to get over here you forget to be where you are right now. Spain isn’t going anywhere, you’ll get here soon enough. Until you get here, be sure to enjoy your time with your friends and family, who you will definitely miss while you’re away.
For more tips and tricks exclusively for new auxiliares de conversacion, be sure to subscribe to the Aux in Spain YouTube channel.
¡Hasta la próxima!