Checking the progress of the residence permit application
If you check the status of your residence permit application online , you will usually see “En trámite”, which means that it is being processed. But what happens if it is “Archivado”?
For more information on how to check the status of your residence permit, please read the article: Check your residence application status online
What is archivado?
Archivado means “archived”. Archivado does not mean that the application has been rejected, but only that the immigration office has decided not to continue with the case.
Archivado can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common being that the documents are incomplete. If the documents are not complete, the immigration office will not be able to review your case.
In the case of incomplete documents, the immigration office will send you a letter asking the applicant to submit additional documents. If the documents are not made up within a specified period of time (10 working days), the immigration office will consider you to have abandoned your case, which will result in your file being archived.
Many people are confused when they see that their application was turned into Archivado because they did not receive the notification letter to complete the application with addtional documents. This happens sometimes because the letter was lost or your just ignored the email with the link to download the letter.
What should I do in case of Archivado?
When an application for residence is filed, you should immediately go to the immigration office and ask for information about the error due to lack of documents. It is reasonable to expect that a letter from the immigration office will be sent to your home, but if it is not, or if you are in a hurry to find out what the reason is, it is advisable to go to the immigration office in person.
Once you have received the notice archivado letter and know the reason for it, you need to draft an administrative appeal to reopen the case and continue the process. And fill in the missing documents.
In other words, if you want the immigration office to reconsider your application, you should file an administrative appeal explaining your situation and reasons.
Can I start a new application?
You can file a new application as long as you are within the legal period to do so, i.e. commonly 90 days after the expiry date of your current resdience permit.
