NIE card issue

I have been living and working in Spain for some time and I think I can give you some ideas. First of all the NIE does not expire it is a number that follows the person for life. While the residence permit is something different and is issued for a X years, depending on the case, with an employment contract, for study, if you demonstrate that you have money to live on (bank deposits), etc.

Obviously we must also look at the country of origin because if it is true that non-EU citizens are treated in the same way, it is also true that if the origin is a Latin American country, there are other laws.

However, after 16 years of legal residence he/she would also have the right to apply for a citizenship. Surely saying he was in Belgium could create a residency break - but I understand your friend has an expired residency permit?

In the meantime, he could try to go and ask at the police station, they won't send you away, it's full of people without even a residence permit and he has a 16-year history. Then if it gets complicated, in my opinion it would be better for him to speak to an immigration lawyer who is not expensive in Spain. If he meets the requirements with a 16 year history he shouldn't have any problems,

Hi thank you so much for the reply. His country of origin is Pakistan. He moved to Belgium and stayed there for two years but decided on moving back to Spain. He should have been checking back in Spain to avoid losing the residency but due to health reasons and depression because of I'll health he was unable to do it. I know it might not be a valid reason for immigration but that does happen. Right now as I mentioned before that his employer is trying to show that he has been in Spain all along. My partner is under the impression that if he tells the authorities about Belgium then, he will lose a chance to renew his residency and will be deported back. In my opinion, it is not so easy to fool the authorities that you have not been away, as they can see everything online that when a person has left and come back to the country. Also they might have access to the information on his work history in Spain as well. He did get a criminal check from the country of origin to be sent to the Spanish consulate and medical as well but it has not processed from there. He had done this about 8 months ago. I am not in Spain and do not know the procedures there but I fear that he has been misguided and that it is a problem that can be easily solved as I have read it is a common mistake that the non EU foreigners make. Anyway sorry about the long post. Please advise any further if you can.