Get What You Need for Spanish Long-Term Visas (Part 2 ) The Spanish Group

A Guide for Traveling to Spain

This is part two of our series on how to prepare for traveling to Spain. In part one, we took a look at the Visa process for tourists and other short-term travelers. We will look now into how to best prepare to get a Visa for longer-term stays in Spain.

The Spanish Group is built around giving you the absolute best translation, notarization, and apostille services. Visa applications and their preparation are one of our specialties. We can help you prepare almost any document required in the exact way required. The problem is we can’t do that for you if you aren’t sure which documents the Spanish authorities need translated and prepared. To help you figure out what you need to get prepared, we have put together this quick guide (as well as a number of links) to point you exactly where you need to go.

If you have any further questions about documents that may be required and how to properly prepare them for submission to Spanish officials, reach out to our friendly staff today!

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In This Series:

• In part 1, we went over the Spanish visa basics, as well as the Schengen Visa.
• In Part 3, we will go into some of the general considerations for living and working in Spain.
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Spanish Long-Stay Visa Requirements:

Following the Schengen Agreement, travel to and from Spain has been simplified for most short-term travelers. Long-stay visas are still required for staying in Spain for longer than ninety days. Different requirements depend on if you are a student, an employee, a retiree, etc. We will be quickly going over the visas that will apply to the vast majority of applicants.

In part 1 of this Blog Series, we went over the Spanish visa basics and the Schengen Visa (short-term) Spain travel visa requirements. The Schengen Visa is the Spain tourist visa. There is no ‘Spain Schengen visa’ since the Schengen Visa applies to all countries in the Schengen zone.

These are the:

• Student Visa: For studying and research
• The Residency Visa: You can live but cannot work in Spain
• The Work and Residence Visa: You can both live and work in the country.

While there are many sub-types of Visa, there are three primary long-term Visas for residing in Spain. Each sub-type will have its own document requirements, fees, and timetables.

Regardless of Visa, all documents will need to be translated into Spanish by a sworn or certified translator properly appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All documents issued in a language other than Spanish, such as your criminal background check and bank statements, must be translated into Spanish.

Items to Prepare for Every Spanish Visa Application:

Spain visa requirements will vary by Visa type, but be ready to supply both the original and a photocopy of these items, as well as a certified translation, regardless of what kind of Visa you are applying for:

• A Completed and signed National Visa Application form.
• Three passport size photos (with a white background).
• Your passport.

It must have been Valid for six months to a year (depending on the Visa), and you will want to have a blank page to put the Visa on.

• Medical certificate typed on doctor´s stationery.

This is going to be a medical certificate that states you are free from disease and drug addiction. They will not accept medical certificates issued more than 90 days before the application date.

• This document needs to be translated into Spanish.
• Federal or State Police Record where the applicant has lived during the past year.

Police Record if the applicant is 18 years old or older (Criminal Background) original and one copy issued by either the State police, Federal police (FBI), or Office of the Secretary of the State where the applicant has lived for the past year.

• They will not accept records that are issued more than 90 days before the application date.
• Police record translations must be notarized with the proper Hague Apostille conditions. An Apostille is a seal that contains information about the document it legalizes and is attached to your original form to certify that it is legitimate and authentic.

• Always make sure to double-check the visa requirements with these official sources:
◦ Website for the Consulate of Spain in Washington
◦ Official Visa Information and Requirements
◦ U.S. Department of State, Spain International Travel Information

The application visa for Spain isn't incredibly complicated, but it changes depending on your goals. Luckily, with a bit of advice for getting a visa for Spain and how to apply for a tourist visa for Spain, it should be a snap. The Spanish Group provides complete document translation, certification, and notarization services for every Visa process step.

Examples of Requirements By Visa Type

The following is a summary of what Spain visa documents you can expect to need for some of the more common long-term Visa types. This is not an exhaustive list, and you should always consult the official Consulate of Spain in Washington for the most up-to-date information.

• The Student Visa
Once you get a Letter of Acceptance from an official University or school in Spain, you can begin the process of getting a student Visa. This process may take up to six weeks, so don't wait too long to get it started. You can apply up to ninety days before your set departure date.

To submit a Request for a Student Visa, you will need:
In addition to the standard items, be ready to supply both the original and a photocopy of these items as well:

• Letter of Acceptance from the university or school
This letter needs to verify you are enrolled for over 20 hours a week and have medical insurance. You may need to include a letter from your insurance company (no cards).
• Proof of Financial Means

This can come in the form of a letter from the University or School in Spain or the USA assuming complete financial responsibility during your stay (often included in the acceptance letter). Alternative options include proof of financial aid or scholarship for a minimum of $700 per month or a notarized letter from a legal guardian assuming complete financial responsibility.

• If the student is a minor, you will also need to include authorization by the legal guardians, signed with a public notary, and pertinent information regarding the legal guardians in Spain. You will also likely need to have a police record and physical included (if the student stays over a year).

• Fees for a Student Visa
This will be a money order made out to the ‘EMBASSY OF SPAIN’ or Cash.

• US citizens will pay about $160.
• Those who are not citizens of the US will pay roughly $73.
• For British, Canadian, and Australian citizens, you will have to contact the embassy directly.

The Residence Visa to Work in Spain

This is the Visa that will let an individual work in Spain as an employee. You should prepare for this process to take two to three weeks.

To submit a Request for a Residence Visa for Work, you will need:
In addition to the standard items, be ready to supply both the original and a photocopy of these items as well:

• Alien Residence Card (Green-Card) or residence visa valid in the USA.
• Letter from the Spanish immigration Office ("Extranjería") to the employer in Spain

You will need a letter notifying the employer that you have approval for a work permit and residency.

• Fees for a Work Visa
This will be a money order made out to the ‘EMBASSY OF SPAIN’ or Cash.

• US citizens will pay $190.
• Those who are not citizens of the US will pay roughly $73.
• Russia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Moldavia is $43

• The Residence Visa, for Investors or Self-Employed People

This is the Visa that will let an individual work in Spain as self-employed or an investor. This process will take much longer, and you should budget three months for this process.

To submit a Request for a Residence Visa for Investors or Self-Employed People:
In addition to the standard items, be ready to supply both the original and a photocopy of these items as well:

• Alien Residence Card (Green-Card) or residence visa valid in the USA.
• Official form EX01

This is a form requesting authorization for residence and self-employment, which the Consulate will forward to authorities in Spain.

• Proper Academic Title or Degree relevant to your line of work.
This document must be notarized with the proper Hague Apostille conditions.
• Documentation that proves you are financially sound.
These will be financial documents such as letter/s from the Bank.
• Investor and Business Plans
If you are an investor, you will need to show the type of work you will be doing as well as financial projections, permits, and licenses you will need and their status.
• To apply for this visa, you will need an appointment.
Once you have your documents ready, you will need to send an email to cog.washington@maec.es to request an appointment to drop off your application.
• There are several fees applicable to this type of visa. You will need to speak to the Spanish Consulate before you begin your application. Additional requirements will likely apply as well.

Get What You Need for Your Visa Today!

When submitting any document or certificate to Spanish officials with your Spain visa application, if it is in a language other than Spanish, it should (and typically must) be officially translated into Spanish by sworn translators and certified by the Spanish Consulate in the country of issuance. This includes documents like criminal records, birth certificates, proof of income, and more.

Some documents must be Apostilled. In the United States, the Secretary of State of each state can issue an Apostille. An Apostille can take anywhere between 1 day and three weeks to be given.

Luckily, The Spanish Group provides complete document translation, certification, and notarization services for every Visa process step.

Whether you need an apostille, authentication, translation, or certification, The Spanish Group will ensure you receive complete document services at the best possible pricing. It has never been easier or more affordable to have experienced experts on hand to correctly complete your Spain visa application form. If you have any further questions about documents that may be required and how to properly prepare them for submission to Spanish officials, reach out to our friendly staff today!

Planning On Moving to Spain?

In part 1 of this Blog Series, we went over the Spanish visa basics and the Schengen Visa. In this piece, we looked at some of the requirements for long-term visas and how you can begin to start that process. In Part 3, we will go into some of the general considerations for living and working in Spain. (add an internal link) Read on, and by the end, you should have a good idea of what moving to Spain will entail and require.

Need a Tourist Visa?

Before you move to Spain long-term, it is probably best to get a Spain Schengen visa (the short-term Visa that doubles for the Spain tourist visa for most people). The Spain visa requirements are less demanding, and it is easier to fill out the Spain visa application form and acquire the proper Spain tourist visa documents. For a complete list of Spain travel visa requirements for tourists, see our part 1 article.