Residence authorisation for professional internships (non-EU)

What you need at hand

1. Cl@ve or certificado digital (and Notific@ activated so you see messages).
2. Convenio de prácticas or contrato formativo already signed by the company (with dates and tutor).
3. Full passport scanned in a readable PDF.
4. Degree or certificate (for residence for internships it must be from the last 2 years).
5. Health insurance and proof of financial means if there’s no salary/scholarship.

Documentation

• Valid full passport.
• Convenio/contrato de prácticas with dates, hours, workplace and tutor.
• Degree or certificate (obtained in the last 2 years) or enrolment if it’s curricular.
• Health insurance valid in Spain (if Seguridad Social doesn’t cover you yet).
• Financial means/scholarship (bank statements or official letter).
• Certificado de antecedentes penales apostilled and translated if you apply from abroad.
• For the TIE: EX-17, passport photo, proof of address (padrón/contract) and tasa 790-012 paid.

Step by step

1. Go to Mercurio (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/mercurio/) with Cl@ve/certificado and pick the residencia para prácticas procedure.
2. Upload the form and documents as separate PDFs (better to have passport, convenio and degree as separate files). Submit and save the receipt.
3. Check Notific@/Carpeta Ciudadana for requests. If they grant it, pay tasa 790-052 at https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/tasasExtranjeria if instructed.
4. If you were abroad, request the visa at the Consulate with the resolution. If you are in Spain on an eligible status, skip this.
5. Book a fingerprints appointment (https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/) under “Policía – Toma de huellas (Expedición de tarjeta)”.
6. Pay tasa 790-012 (https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/), fill EX-17 and attend the appointment with passport, resolution, photo and proof of address.
7. Collect the TIE when notified (3–6 weeks). Check your name, NIE and dates.

Time-savers

• If the company files with its certificado, things usually go faster.
• Upload clear PDFs and split them: passport one file, convenio another. Keep each under 10 MB.
• Mercurio works better on Chrome on desktop. Mobile is hit-or-miss.
• Book the fingerprints appointment as soon as you have the approval; don’t wait until the month ends.
• Have the NRC or the PDF of the paid fee ready. They sometimes ask for it in person.

Common mistakes that mess things up

• Submitting an old degree (over 2 years) for residence for internships: they’ll deny it.
• Convenio without signatures or missing dates/hours/tutor: immediate rejection.
• Paying the wrong tasa (wrong epígrafe) or not attaching the payment receipt when asked.
• Letting the one month for the TIE pass: you’ll have to fight for a new appointment and explanations.
• Uploading documents in a foreign language without an official translation when the Office requires it.