Telework visa

IMPORTANT

Before applying for a telework visa, it is necessary to obtain a N.I.E.  (Número de Identidad de Extranjero / Foreigner Identity Number). Please check the procedure and the necessary documentation in the following link:

The definition of this type of worker, as well as the specific requirements that they must meet to get visas and residence permits are contemplated in the articles of new chapter V bis of section 2 of title V of the Law 14/2013.

This visa is intended for nationals of third countries who travel to Spain to carry out a remote work or professional activity for companies located outside the national territory, through the exclusive use of computer, telematics and telecommunication media and systems.

This visa does not apply to citizens of the European Uni​​on or to those to whom European Union law applies. ​

In the case of exercise of a labor activity (work as an employee), the holder ​​of the authorization by telework of international character will only be able to work for companies located outside the national territory.

In the case of exercise of a professional activity (self-employed), the holder of the authorization by telework of international character will be allowed to work for a company located in Spain, as long as the percentage of the above-mentioned work does not exceed 20% of the total of his/her professional activity.

To qualify for this visa, applicants must be qualified professionals in possession of a university degree (graduate or postgraduate) from universities, professional training schools or business schools of recognized prestige or prove professional experience of at least 3 years.

The following family members of the worker may also apply for a National visa as a family dependent (Non-lucrative resident visa/ residence without labor purpose): 

• ​The spouse or registered partner.
• Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the worker and who have not created a family unit of their own.
• Relatives in the ascending line under the worker's care.
  
  

1. Visa Application form 2024.pdf. Each applicant, or their legal representative, must complete and sign a visa application form.

   All applicable sections must be completed.

   If the applicant is a minor, parents must sign the application.

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2. Photograph.pdf​ . Recently issued (not older than 6 months), passport-size, color photograph taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.

   - One picture glued (no stapled) to the National Visa application form, with the applicant's name and last name on the back. 

   ​- A second copy of the same picture not glued, with the applicant's name and last name on the back.​

   
   

3. ​Valid, unexpired passport. Original and one clear 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 blank pages.

   Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.

   Important note: To apply for the visa you must be in the USA and wait in the USA for approval of your visa.   While your application is being processed, you will not be able to travel with your passport.

   
   

4. Foreign Identification Number (N.I.E). Certificate of Assignment of N.I.E. is mandatory to be able to start processing the visa.

   Each applicant, including dependents, must have their own individual N.I.E. number.

   ​
   

5. Proof of residence in the consular district. Applicants must be legal residents within this consular jurisdiction (North California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.). The following valid U.S. documents can be proof of residency: U.S. driver's license, state ID, student ID.

   
   

6. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non Americans). The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies in a center within our consular jurisdiction.

   B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for a visa while in the United States, they must apply in their country of residence or origin.

   
   

7. Company certificate, reflecting:

   a) If the worker is employed, the seniority of the worker in the company (at least 3 months), the worker's income, as well as ​the explicit permission of the company to the worker to carry out their job remotely from Spain.
   

   b) If the worker is self-employed, the length of the contractual relationship (of over 3 months), as well as the terms and conditions in which the worker will exercise the professional activity remotely.
   
   

   This document must be submitted in Spanish or together with an official translation into Spanish.
   

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8. ​Certificate of the state Division of Corporations (similar institution to the Mercantile Registry in Spain) showing the date of Constitution of the company and the type of activity performed. This certificate must prove real and continuous activity for at least 1 year of the company or group of companies with which the worker maintains a labor or professional relationship.

   This document must be apostilled and submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.​

   ​
   

9. Financial means.Documents proving sufficient own financial means, or accrediting a regular source of income for the teleworker and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them.

   ​The minimum monthly required amount varies each year and is calculated according to Spain’s Minimum In​ter-professional Salary (SMI). The SMI in 2025 is 1.184€. For the year 2025, the minimum monthly required amounts are as follows:

   • If applicant is applying alone: 200% of monthly IMS = ​2.368€ per month (approx. $ 2500).
   • For the first accompanying family member: 75% of monthly IMS = 888€ per month (approx. $950) must be added.
   • For each additional family member: 25% of monthly IMS =196€ per month (approx. $315) must be added. 
     

   These amounts can be accredited, among others, with a contract, certificate of the company, etc.​

   
   

10. ​Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years.

    The Criminal record check certificate cannot be issued more than 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.

    Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

    Residents in the U.S.A.:

    ​- Certificate must be based on fingerprints and issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC and translated via an official Translators - Sworn Interpreters (exteriores.gob.es)
    

    - FBI Background Check:

      https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

    - Apostille: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html

    - Translations: Translators - Sworn Interpreters (exteriores.gob.es)

    Applicants that have lived outside the United States of America during the past 5 years must provide an additional criminal background check from every country where they have lived, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and with an official translation into Spanish, with a notarized copy of both documents.

     
    

    If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.

    Note: Criminal record check certificates issued by US Local/State authorities will not be accepted. Applicant will be informed in the cases when they can be required in addition to the FBI records.

     
    

    Apostilles are required: Contact Official Apostille authorities to get an estimate on processing times before submitting your visa application.

    
    

11. Responsible declaration of the absence of criminal records of the last 5 years submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 
    

    
    

12. Proof of public or private health insurance from an insurer recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained for the entire duration of the authorization. 

    
    

    It must cover at least all the preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation assistance activities that are carried out in health centers or socio-health centers, as well as urgent health transport.

    It must be health insurance (not travel insurance). Therefore, it is not necessary to cover repatriations and/or evacuations.
    
    

    The health insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses.​
    

    
    

13. Responsible declaration of the worker (or the company) where the commitment appears, prior to the start of the work or professional activity, to comply with the obligations of the Spanish Social Security System.
    The responsible declaration must be submitted in Spanish (or with an official translation into Spanish). A recommended model can be found here​Declaracion Responsable cumplimiento SS Esp Eng.pdf

    
    

14. Copy of the degree or documentation that proves a professional experience of at least 3 years.
    
    
    
    Original and a copy of the graduate or postgraduate degree from a university or business school of recognized prestige. Alternatively, documents that prove a minimum of 3 years' professional experience in functions similar to those of the position to be held as an international teleworker. The experience must be comparable to the required qualification and relevant to the performance of the remote work.

    
    

    Foreign official documents must be apostilled or legalized and must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

    
    

    To practice a regulated profession, the approval of the qualification necessary for its practice must be accredited.

    
    

    If there are doubts about the equivalence of a vocational training degree in the Spanish educational system, accreditation of the validation of the degree before the competent educational authority may be required.
    

    
    

    A visa for teleworking cannot be granted when the conditions of the application coincide with those of the Visa for Intra-Company transfer.​​
    

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15. Pa​yment of the visa fee.Cash or Money order.​​​

    
    

          APPLICANT                                       FROM JULY1ST 2025

           Americans                                                     $ 190
    

     
    

    The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia,Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity.Please check the following link:tasas consulares ​ For other nationals, the visa fee is  (Code 14a).​ 

16. Self-addressed and Pre-Paid US “Express-Mail" envelope from the U.S. Postal Service (US Post Office) if you wish to have your passport returned by mail.

    messenger services (FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc.) will not be accepted.

    Tracking of mailed items is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
    

    
    

​For each family member accompanying the worker, the following must be submitted

• For each family member accompanying the worker, the following must be submitted:​

  All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 y 12. In the case of minors, the visa application must be signed by one of their parents or by a duly accredited representative. 

  • Documents proving family relationship with the worker: Birth or marri​age certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registrati​on as an unmarried couple.
  • In the case of an unregistered couple with a stable emotional relationship equivalent to a registered couple: Documents proving the unregistered partnership with the applicant for at least 1 year, for evaluation. When there are ch​ildren in common, it will be sufficient to submit the children’s birth certificate and prove stable cohabitation. ​
  • In the case of adult children (18 y.o. and older): Documents proving their financial dependence and civil status. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 
  • In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents that prove they are under the worker's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.  ​

  Foreign official documents must be apostilled or legalized and must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 
  

  
  

  Please submit the original and a copy of all the documents proving family relationship.

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• Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be dropped off in person or postal mail by the applicant, or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
  
  
•  Place of submission:
   
  

  Applications can be dropped off in person at the Consular Office (from Monday to Friday 9 A.M. to 1 P.M.). Check our website for National Holidays. An appointment is not necessary. 

   
  

  Applications can be accepted by postal mail: No specific carrier is requested but it is necessary that the envelope has a tracking number:
  
  ATT VISA SECTION
  CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN
  1405 SUTTER ST
  SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109-5417
  
  

• 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 through the following link.
  
  
• 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 period for reaching a decision is 10 days as of the day after the submission date of the application, but this period may be extended when an interview or additional documents are requested. Please note: missing or mistaken documents will delay the process of your visa.
  
  
• Collecting the visa: 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 was 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.
  
  
• The visa is valid for a maximum of 1 year, however validity will be provided according to the work period.