Where to check
The official service is information on the processing status of immigration files, in the Administraciones Públicas electronic office. It is open: it requires no electronic identification, only the file number.
Checking before doing anything saves time. Most people who cannot find an appointment are looking for the wrong procedure because they do not know which stage their file is really at.
What each status means
The wording varies by office, but it falls into four situations:
| Situation | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| In progress | The file is under review and there is no decision | Wait. Decision deadlines are set by the rules of the procedure |
| Request or correction | Documents are missing or something needs clarifying | Respond within the stated deadline. Otherwise the file may be closed |
| Decided, favourable | The permit is granted | Book the fingerprint appointment and pay the corresponding fee |
| Decided, unfavourable | Refusal | There is a deadline to appeal. Read the full decision before deciding |
The status on screen does not replace notification. Deadlines to correct or appeal run from formal notification, not from when you see it on the web. If the procedure is electronic, check your notifications too.
If nothing appears
- Check the number: most failures are a miscopied digit or the wrong province initials.
- If you have just filed, give it a few days: the file takes time to appear in the system.
- Verify that the procedure is handled by Immigration and not another body. Citizenship files are handled by the Ministry of Justice and are checked elsewhere: see cómo va lo mío.
- If your permit goes through the Large Companies Unit, the system is Mercurio, not the general one.
Administrative silence and stalled files
Each procedure has a maximum decision period set in the rules, and Law 39/2015 regulates what happens when the administration does not decide in time. Whether silence counts as approval or refusal depends on the specific procedure: it is not the same for an initial permit as for a renewal, and it should be checked in the Immigration Regulation before assuming anything is granted.
If your file exceeds the deadline, a written request to move it forward can be filed. It does not speed things up by magic, but it leaves a record and sometimes unblocks the file.
Has your file been stuck for months?
We check where it stands, whether documents are missing, and file a correction or a request to move it forward where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a digital certificate to check my file?
No. The status service is open: you access it with the file number and your year of birth.
Where do I find my file number?
On the receipt you were given when you filed. It usually starts with the initials of the province handling it.
My file says favourable. What now?
Book the fingerprint appointment and pay the form 790 fee for the procedure.
Why does my citizenship file not appear?
Because it is handled not by Immigration but by the Ministry of Justice, and is checked in its own electronic office.
How long does a decision take?
It depends on the procedure and the province. The maximum period is set by the rules for each procedure in the Immigration Regulation.
Is the status I see online an official notification?
No. Deadlines to correct or appeal run from formal notification, not from the online check.
Legal basis
- Organic Law 4/2000 on the rights and freedoms of foreign nationals in Spain
- Royal Decree 1155/2024, Regulation implementing Organic Law 4/2000 (consolidated text)
- Royal Decree 316/2026 amending the immigration Regulation
- Law 39/2015 on Common Administrative Procedure, art. 14 on electronic dealings with the administration
- Order PJC/617/2025 setting immigration and foreigners' fees
Official sources
- Status of immigration files
- Electronic office: immigration appointments
- Catalogue of immigration procedures
- Electronic office: Mercurio
Written by Irina Klein. Reviewed by Elena Alonso Volostnova, registered gestora administrativa (ICGA Valencia). Updated on 5 October 2026. This page is general information and does not replace personalised advice on your case.