Oficina de Extranjería in Madrid vs Police Offices: Who Does What

In Madrid, the Oficina de Extranjería (immigration office, part of the central government’s Delegación del Gobierno) receives and decides residence and work applications, while Policía Nacional offices assign NIEs, take fingerprints and issue TIE cards. Most applications to the immigration office are now filed online, through the Mercurio platform or the general electronic registry.

Which office does what?

The split is simple once you see it: the immigration office decides whether you get a permit, and the police document it.

For the police steps, see how to get an NIE number in Madrid and how to get the TIE card in Madrid.

Where is the Oficina de Extranjería in Madrid?

The main Oficina de Extranjería for the province is at Calle García de Paredes 65, in the Chamberí district. Public attention has been mostly in the morning on weekdays, with some afternoon slots for filing, and hours are shorter in summer. Opening hours and the services offered in person change, so check the Delegación del Gobierno en Madrid page before going. You cannot just walk in: any in-person visit requires a cita previa booked on the government’s cita previa de extranjería site, choosing the province of Madrid and the immigration office procedure you need.

How do you file an application online?

Most residence applications no longer need a visit. There are two main channels:

• Mercurio, the Ministry of Inclusion’s platform for immigration applications. It guides you through the form for each procedure and lets you attach documents as PDF files.
• The general electronic registry (Registro Electrónico General of the central administration), which accepts written submissions to any public body, including extra documents for an open file.

Both require you to identify yourself electronically, with a digital certificate, Cl@ve or a Spanish electronic ID. If you do not have these yet, see how to get a digital certificate or Cl@ve in Madrid. A representative with their own certificate, such as an abogado de extranjería or gestor, can also file for you.

1. Pick the exact procedure and download its information sheet (hoja informativa) from the Ministry’s immigration portal, extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es.
2. Scan every document as a clear PDF, including translations and apostilles.
3. Pay the immigration fee for the procedure (the form 790 code 052 for most permits) and scan the receipt.
4. File through Mercurio or the registry and save the submission receipt (justificante de registro) with its date and number.
5. Watch your email and the electronic notifications inbox: requests for documents and decisions arrive there, and deadlines start running when they are made available.

How do you check the status of an application?

Once filed, your application becomes an expediente (file) with a reference number. You can check its status on the government’s online status service for immigration files (consulta del estado de expedientes de extranjería), entering your NIE or file number. The status shows stages such as “en tramitación” (being processed), “pendiente de resolución” (awaiting decision) or “resuelto” (decided). The decision itself arrives as a notification.

Status pages are updated with a delay, so a file can show no change for weeks and then jump to a decision. If you moved or changed your email after filing, update your contact details through the registry so notifications still reach you.

If the office asks for more documents (a requerimiento), reply within the deadline given, usually ten working days. A missed request is one of the most common reasons for refusal.

How long do decisions take?

The legal deadline for most residence applications is three months. If the office has not decided by then, the result depends on the procedure: for many initial applications silence counts as refusal, while for renewals it often counts as approval. The rules for each case are set in Real Decreto 1155/2024, so read the information sheet for your procedure or ask a licensed professional before relying on silence.

Bottom line

Getting a digital certificate or Cl@ve early saves more time than any trick with appointments, because it opens online filing, status checks and notifications in one go. Keep every submission receipt in one folder, since later procedures such as long-term residence or nationality may ask about your history.

FAQ

Can I still file on paper?

Individuals can in some cases file in person with an appointment or at general registry offices. Employers and professionals representing applicants must use electronic channels.

Does the Oficina de Extranjería give information by phone?

General information is published on the Ministry’s portal and the Delegación del Gobierno site. Case-specific answers usually require a written query through the registry or an appointment.

Is the police office in Aluche the same as the Oficina de Extranjería?

No. Aluche houses Policía Nacional foreigners’ offices for NIEs, certificates and cards; the immigration office that decides permits is a different body.

What if my application is refused?

The decision explains the appeal options and deadlines. For appeals, consult an abogado de extranjería.