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Applications and collections at Almería Extranjeria.
Legendary helpful member
Morning all. Went down to pick up my new TIE today and made some observations of the confusion that always seems to abound and thought I'd post them here to possibly help any that may be headed to Almería.
First thing to note is that whatever time you've been given for your appointment is not necessarily the time you'll be seen ... several other people will have been given the same time.... but get to Almería well ahead of your appointment. Queues can be long and there can be precious little shade.
On arrival you will note now three "posts" standing there marked "Otros Tramites", thats closest to the road. In the middle is "Huellas" and against the building wall is "Recogida Tarjeta"
"Huellas" is I believe for fingerprints .... DO NOT GO INTO THIS QUEUE IF IT IS YOUR INITIAL APPLICATION - even if fingerprints need to be taken. You need to be in "Otros Tramites". I watched one couple today - I believe they were English - get to the front of the "Huellas" queue only to be told by the security guard when they presented their paperwork that they were in the wrong queue and to go to the back of the "Otros Tramites" queue.
Once inside, if you have a Cita Previa, you put your NIE number into the machine in the foyer, it spits out a ticket, you take a seat in the socially-distanced waiting room and wait for your ticket number to come up on screen.
But if however you have just been given a grey piece of paper (on a previous visit to apply for a TIE) that says you don't need a Cita Previa, then you will be standing in the "Recogida Tarjeta" lane, because that's what you are there for - to actually collect your TIE. Ignore the time written on that piece of paper, except to ensure you get there ahead of it, it is doubtful you will be seen at that time because like with the application, numerous people all get given the same time. BE PATIENT.... Eventually, you'll be called forward by the security guard. When you present the paper to the guard, he'll give you a ticket with the number on it - if today was anything to go by, it will start with "E". If you are there as a couple, tell the guard, you get one ticket between the two of you and both go up when ticket is called.
When you are collecting your TIE, Ensure you have your original valid passport and that grey piece of paper advising you of the date and time... if you fail to present either of those items, they will turn you away. And yes, you MUST present original passport, not a certified copy thereof ... Almería will NOT accept certified copies - it doesn't matter WHO certified them!! Original, or be sent away.
