The Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Canberra only has jurisdiction in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queanbeyan. People located in the rest of Australia should check the website of the Consulate General of Spain in Sydney or the Consulate General of Spain in Melbourne. People located in other countries, should check the website of the Embassy or Consulate of Spain responsible for their place of residence.
Work visa
Visa for people aged 16 and over who wish to work as employees in Spain (with a work contract). This visa covers seasonal work activities.
Required documents
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents 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 4 months (in the case of a temporary contract, the validity period must cover the duration of the contract) and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
Residents in Australia who are not Australian citizens will also have to provide their residence visa (VEVO).
4. Initial residence and work permit. Original and a copy of the initial residence and employee work permit signed by the employer.
5. Work contract. A copy of the work contract stamped by the Foreign Nationals' Office. The initial residence and work permit must have been granted in relation to this contract.
6. 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 5 years. The certificate must include both name and fingerprints checks. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website.
7. 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. You may use this template![]()
Medical certificate template.pdf. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website.
8. Proof of residence in the consular district. The proof submitted by the applicant will be assessed by the Consular Office. Additional documentation can be requested.
9. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to present originals and submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
10. Payment of the visa fee. The amount of the fee must be consulted with the Consular Office.
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.
For family members of the holder of the work contract
The required documents will be the same as above (except the work permit authorisation). The applicant will have to pay an extra application for residency with an additional fee (please consult with the Consular Office) and will have to provide, for each family member, evidence of relationship (birth and marriage certificate), and full medical insurance. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system and must cover the entire period of the stay. It should have no coverage limits (Spanish companies offer unlimited coverage), no grace periods for certain benefits, no excess, and no deductibles. Nevertheless, if the policy has a coverage limited to a specific amount, this limit must not be less than 30,000 euros.
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website.
Applicants under the age of 18 are not required a police check.
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
- Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant, or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor.
- Visa application period: The visa application must be submitted within a period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the employer is notified of the favourable decision regarding the initial residence and employment permit.
- Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the Consular Office. Appointments must be requested by email / through the following link (include link to the appointment system).
- 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 1 month from 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 visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their legal representative (if the applicant is a minor) 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 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: If the contract is for one year, the visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, the worker must register with the Social Security system before beginning their work activity and apply for a Foreigner Identity Card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding police station, within 1 month from their registration with the Social Security system.
If the work contract is for seasonal work, the visa will be valid for the entire period for which the applicant is authorized to reside and work in Spain, and it will not be necessary to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card upon arriving in Spain.