Visa for foreigners who have obtained a university degree in the past two years or who are pursuing studies that will lead to their obtaining a university degree in Spain or abroad, and who are participating in an internship programme in Spain (through the signature of an internship agreement or of a trainee contract) with the purpose of improving their knowledge, their skills and their experience in a professional environment.
If these conditions are not met, it is possible to apply for a study visa for the undertaking of other internships in Spain (see “study visas").
Required documents
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant, or their representative, must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two consecutive blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Residence permit. Original and a copy of the permit issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in the province in which the internship will be carried out.
5. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 2 years. Additionally, they must complete and sign a responsible statement declaring that they have no criminal records for the past 5 years.
In the case of Canada, only the criminal record certificate issued by the RCMP containing the visa applicant's fingerprints will be accepted. You will find more information about how to obtain it here.
Criminal records certificates from local police stations will not be accepted. The Canadian Criminal Record Certificate must be with the Hague Apostille Certification issued by Global Affairs Canada, and translated into Spanish. If the criminal record certificate has been issued outside of Canada, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in that country, unless the country that issued it has signed the Hague Convention, in which case it must be apostilled. You can check the list of the countries signatories of the Hague Convention here.
6. Proof of residence in the consular district. Study permit, work permit, permanent resident card or Canadian passport.
7. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, a copy of the identity document or passport of the parent and the document that proves the relationship must be presented. The originals will be shown at the time of submitting the application. If the visa is requested by a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and the power of attorney or document proving the representation, must be submitted. Original documents will be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents (not issued in Canada) must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
8. Payment of the visa fee. Check the fee in Tasas Montreal 2024. The consular fee is to be paid the day of your appointment, preferably in cash or by money order or certified cheque to "The Consulate General of Spain in Montreal".
When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular demarcation.
- Who can apply for a visa: The visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant, or by one of their parents if they are a minor. It may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
- Place of submission: The Visa application must be submitted in person. You must previously request an appointment by sending an email to cog.montreal.vis@maec.es. In your email you must indicate your full name, your expected date of travel and send scanned copies of your passport and of a document proving your residence in this consular demarcation. In case you do not have Canadian citizenship, you must provide along with your passport, a document proving your status in Canada (permanent resident card).
- Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
- Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
- Decision period: The legal term to make a decision is 10 days from the day after the application is submitted, but this term may be extended when additional documents are requested or an interview is held. Visa applications submitted by nationals of some states require a consultation process with central authorities which may affect the duration of the visa procedure.
- Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
- Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted is based.
- Appeals: If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
- Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for the authorized internship period, with a maximum validity period of 6 months (in the case of an internship hosting agreement) or of 1 year (in the case of a trainee contract). The visa accredits legal residence in Spain. If the authorized internship period is longer than 6 months, it is possible to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card from the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.