I just got my DNV approval after 47 days, here's the timeline
The letter from the employer is definitely the secret sauce. Most people just send the contract and hope for the best, but the UGE wants to see that specific 'authorization to work from Spain' wording. I paid an agency and they still messed that part up, so you definitely made the right call doing it yourself. Saving that money for tapas in El Tubo is a much better use of funds.
I disagree that the agency is a waste. If you have a complex tax situation or multiple clients it is a lifesaver. But for a single UK contractor role, yeah, it is probably overkill if you are organized.
Regarding the TIE appointment, try looking for the 'Cita Previa' on Friday mornings too. Sometimes they dump a load of cancelled slots into the system then. Don't bother with the smaller towns unless you have a car because the bus schedules to places like Ejea or Tarazona are total rubbish and you will end up stranded for half a day.
Congrats on the approval. Zaragoza is tough for appointments. Try checking the portal at 9am sharp on Thursdays, that is when they usually dump the new slots.
It is all automated until it isn't. You cannot talk to the person reviewing your file. It is a total black box until you get the PDF.
I am moving to Zaragoza next month on the same visa. Rent is so much better there than Madrid or Barcelona. Enjoy the tapas in El Tubo.
No, I only translated the main contract and the criminal record check. The bank statements were fine in English since the numbers are the same. UGE seems okay with that.
Did you have to get your UK documents translated by a 'traductor jurado' or did you just submit the English versions? I have heard conflicting things about whether the UGE accepts English contracts for the DNV. If you did it without translations that is another few hundred euros you saved.
Did you provide a certificate of coverage for social security or did you just register as autonomo immediately? I am stuck on that part.
I just registered as autonomo and showed them the intent to pay into the Spanish system. Since the UK and Spain have an agreement it was pretty straightforward. Just make sure your contract mentions the 3 year minimum duration.
Just a heads up that once you get your TIE appointment, you will need the 'padrón' document from the Zaragoza ayuntamiento. If you are still in an Airbnb that might be your next big hurdle. Most landlords for short term stays won't let you register on the padrón and you need that piece of paper for the police station. Have you sorted a long term lease yet?
This is a very good point. I had to move out of my holiday rental in Zaragoza specifically because the owner refused to give me the paperwork for the padrón. You cannot get the physical TIE card without it.
Did you have to translate every single bank statement? That is what is holding me up right now because of the cost.
Congrats on the approval. Doing it yourself without an agency is a huge win, especially saving that 1500 euro fee. I am curious about the social security part though. Did you just provide the A1 form from the UK or did you have to show you were already paying into the Spanish system? That seems to be where most people get stuck when they go solo.
Actually he probably just used the A1 if it is a UK firm. The UGE has been a bit more relaxed with the UK lately since the social security agreement is pretty solid now. Just make sure the dates on the A1 cover the full three years or whatever length they gave you.
47 days is actually fast for the UGE lately. I have been waiting 60 days and still nothing. Starting to think my files are in a black hole.
Check your spam folder every single day. Some people never get the email and only find out by checking the electronic folder with their digital certificate.
47 days sounds about right for the current backlog. I applied in Valencia around the same time and I am still waiting at day 52. Did your status on Mercurio actually show 'Registrada' for a long time or did it go straight to 'En Tramitación' after you submitted? I am worried mine hasn't even been looked at yet.
I am also in Zaragoza. Don't bother going to the main office without an appointment, they will kick you out at the door. Use a gestor if you can't find a slot.
Huge relief for you I am sure. I am also in Zaragoza and I found that checking for appointments at the Comisaría on Calle de la Castelar worked best if I used a VPN or just turned off my wifi and used 5G. For some reason the office network at my coworking space always blocked the government captcha. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Zaragoza is a great choice but the TIE appointments there are a nightmare. I tried for three weeks and eventually gave up and drove out to Calatayud. It is about an hour away but they had plenty of slots. The local office in the city center near the train station is basically impossible to book unless you refresh the page at 8:42 am exactly on Mondays.
Is there a specific person you talked to at the UGE or is it just the automated portal?
Make sure you get your padron certificate updated before the TIE appointment. The Zaragoza town hall is actually quite quick with those if you go to the local district offices.