Visa for family members of foreigners who have legal resident status in Spain (from now on referred to as "the resident") and who wish to exercise the right to family reunification.
This type of visa is not issued to family members of citizens of the European Union or of the Member States of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland (see “Visas for family members of EU citizens").
In order to apply for a family reunification visa the applicant must have an “Authorization of Initial Residence for family reunification” (“Autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar inicial”) issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in the province in which the resident lives.
Family members who can obtain a family reunification visa
- The spouse, not separated in fact or in law, or the person who maintains a partnership with the resident that is analogous to a marital relationship (partner entered on a public register, provided that the registration has not been cancelled, or unregistered partner provided that proof can be provided of the continuity of a cohabitation relationship established before the applicant settled in Spain). Reunification cannot be offered to more than one spouse or partner.
- The children of the resident, the children of the spouse or partner—including adopted children (provided that the adoption is valid in Spain)—and those represented legally by the resident, provided that they are under the age of 18 or that they have disabilities and are not objectively capable of providing for their own needs due to their health status.
- The resident's parents (mother or father) and those of their spouse or partner, provided that they are in the care of the resident, older than 65 and there are reasons substantiating the need to authorize their residence in Spain. On an exceptional basis, and for humanitarian reasons, the reunification of parents under the age of 65 may be permitted.
Required documents
1. One application form
. Each applicant 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 guardians or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. One photo: Glued or clipped (not stapled) onto visa application form. Photo specifications: 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.
Photos with a dark background or with objects or people that can be seen behind your head will not be accepted.
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 4 months and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Initial family reunification permit ("Autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar inicial"). Issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in Spain, at the resident's request.
5. Resident's residency card. Certified photocopy of the resident's Foreigner Identification Card, which must be unexpired.
6. Documents proving family relationship with the resident.
- Spouses: Marriage certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the event of second or successive marriage, proof of divorce from the previous spouse.
- Unmarried couples: Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or, if the couple have not entered their relationship on a register, documents proving the couple's relationship dates back to before the resident established their residence in Spain.
- Children: Birth certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the case of the children of just one of the spouses or members of the couple, proof must also be provided that they hold sole parental authority over the child or that they have been awarded custody and that the child is effectively in their care.
- Parents: Birth certificate of the resident or of the spouse or partner issued by the competent civil registry and documents substantiating the reasons for which it was necessary to authorize their residence in Spain. Among other documents, proof must be provided that, over the past year, the resident has transferred funds to or covered expenses incurred by the parent representing, at least, 51% of the per capita GDP of the parent's country of residence. Moreover, proof must be submitted of the annual income and properties owned by the parent and information on other direct family members who are resident in the country.
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) of their criminal background check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years.
The criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). We do not accept State or Local Police Background Checks.
The background check must be issued within the 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
The background check must be authenticated with The Hague Apostille. We do not accept background checks without the Hague Apostille.
The Apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures. We do not accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary that stamps a seal on the criminal background check.
The criminal background check will not be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damage caused by removing staples.
The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator. (The translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation).
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside the USA or Spain), an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. The criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, unless it is issued by an EU member state. The criminal background check issued by an EU authority does not need to be apostilled to be accepted. 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 this country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish or does not include the text in Spanish).
Please submit the original and a photocopy of all the documents: background check, apostille and official translation.
8. Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations.
- The certificate must be issued in the 3 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
- The certificate must include a stamp from the issuing Medical Center, doctor’s name and signature, doctor’s License Number and date of expedition.
- The certificate must be written on letterhead paper from hospital/doctor’s office or directly on the provided template. The recommended model can be found here:
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MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. - The certificate must be signed by a Doctor (Physician), not by a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician assistant.
- If the certificate does not include the text in Spanish, an official or certified translation into Spanish is required. In the case of using the bilingual model from our website, the Spanish translation is not necessary.
Please include a photocopy (not notarized) of the medical certificate with your submitted documents.
9. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies within the Consular Section’s consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia). Residence must be demonstrated by way of one of the following, valid documents: U.S. drivers license, state ID, or university student ID.
Non-U.S. citizens must also submit their U.S. Green Card or long-term stay visa (notarized copy). B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for visa in the United States; they must apply for it in their country of residence or origin.
10. 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, guardian or representative and of the document constituting proof of kinship or guardianship or power of attorney or the document accrediting representation must be submitted. Original documents must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
11. Payment of the visa fee. Cash or money order. Fees in 2024. The visa fee americans $140 and other nationalities $99. For nationals of Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Mauritania, and the United Kingdom different rates are applied for reasons of reciprocity. In these cases, the amount of the fee must be consulted with the Consular Office.
Visa fees are reviseed quarterly according to curent exchange rates and can be subject to changes.
12. Disclaimer form (![]()
DISCLAIMER.pdf )
Additional documents, Interview:
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 district (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina).
- Who can apply for a visa: The visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, the application may be submitted by one of the parents or guardians or by a duly accredited representative.
- Visa application period: The visa application must be submitted within a period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the applicant is notified of the decision to authorize the family reunification.
- Place of submission: The application must be submitted in person at the Consular Office by appointment only.
Once you have all the required documents you must scan and email them to cog.washington.vis@maec.es. If there is not enough space to include all the attached documents, you can send them in different, numbered emails. Please do not send emails if you do not have all the required documents yet. When we receive all the required documents, we will answer your mail and schedule an appointment to come in person to the Consular Section of the Embassy to submit the application.
Please write the email subject as follows: “APPOINTMENT REQUEST. Visa Type. Given Name FAMILY NAME. Email Number”
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 period for reaching a decision is of 2 months as of the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
- 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.
- Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, a Foreigner Identification Card must be applied for within a period of 1 month from the applicant's entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the residence permit was processed.