Visa to reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful (work or professional) activity, provided that the applicant has sufficient and guaranteed means to live on. This visa does not constitute a work permit.
The following family members may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Dependent children and dependent relatives in the ascending line who form part of the family unit.
Required documents
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections.
2. Temporary residence permit form. Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of the EX-01 form, filling in each of its sections.
3. Photograph. One (1) recent full-face color photograph passport-size, taken in person against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face taken by a commercial photographer or studio no more than six months before the date you submit your application. It should also meet the requirements pictured on this link.
Photographs of minors must not show any part of the adult holding them.
4.Valid, unexpired passport. The original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data must be submitted. 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.
5. Proof of financial means. The applicant must submit the originals and a copy of the documents proving that they have sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of residing in Spain for the initial year of the residence permit, or accrediting that they have a regular source of income, for themselves and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them. The monthly minimum required amount for 2024 is € 2,400.00 (CAN $3,516.00). To this amount must be added € 600.00 (CAN $879.00) for each family member in the applicant's care.
6. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system.
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(s) issued by the country or countries of residence in the past 5 years.
In the case of Canada, only the negative 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 authenticated with the Hague Apostille Certification, and must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator.
The visa will not be issued without the Criminal Record Certificate
apostilled by Global Affairs Canada, so it is recommended that you carry out this procedure with the Canadian authorities
well in advance.
The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation). You can find a certified translator through
The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario.
The background check must be issued within 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary public that stamps a seal on the criminal background check).
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside Canada) 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. You can check the list of the countries signing the Hague Convention
hereIf 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 Spanish Consulate in that country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish).
8.Medical certificate. Applicants requiring a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of a medical certificate issued by your family doctor worded as follows:
“This medical certificate states that Mr./Mrs. ….. does not suffer from any diseases that may have serious consequences on public health in accordance with the provisions contained in the 2005 International Health Regulations."
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
9. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau).
If you live in a city other than Ottawa and Gatineau, you should apply for your visa at the Spanish Consulate General in Toronto or Montreal according to their consular jurisdictions.
10.Payment of fees. Please refer to the consular fee chart for:
- Initial temporary residence permit and
- Visa
Only cash, money order or certified cheque payable to the "Embassy of Spain" will be accepted.
Required documents for family members. For each family member it will be necessary to submit:
- All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. For minors, the visa application and the residence permit application must be signed by one of their parents.
- Documents constituting proof of family relationship with the applicant accrediting financial means: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document substantiating an unmarried partnership with the applicant. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- In the case of adult children, documents proving financial dependence, the adult child's civil status and that they continue to form part of the family unit. 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 proving financial dependence and that they form part of the family unit. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
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.
All non-working residence visas require the obtainment of an initial residence permit, which is processed at the same time as the visa application.
- 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.
- 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. The Consular Office will also provide a copy of the application form (form EX-01) and, where applicable, of the receipt of payment of the fee (form 790-52).
- 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 3 months 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. To find out about the outcome of your visa application, click HERE and input your personal data on your Proof of receipt . You may pick up your passport/visa any working Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Refusal of the residence permit or visa: Refusals of the residence permit or visa will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.
- Appeals: If a residence permit or 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 refusal of the visa or residence permit 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 Identity 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 corresponding Police Station.