GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa to engage in training, research, development and innovation activities at public or private entities in the following cases:
• Research staff referred to in article 13 and additional provision one of Act 14/2011 of 1 June on Science, Technology and Innovation.
• Scientific and technical staff carrying out scientific research, development and technological innovation work at business entities or R&D&i centers established in Spain.
• Researchers hosted, in the framework of an agreement, by public or private research bodies.
• Teaching staff hired by universities, higher education and research bodies or centers, or business schools established in Spain.
The Consulate of Spain in Chicago will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
· Applications are in person by appointment only. To request an appointment please follow these instructions:
1. Send an email with the appointment request to cog.chicago.cit@maec.es (one email per family group)
2. Attach a PDF copy of the applicant`s ID (State ID, Driver's License, or Student ID)
3. Include this mandatory information :
- · Name and last name of the applicant (for a family group, include all the applicant's names in the same email)
- · Email address
- · Phone number
- · Type of visa
- · Intended dates of travel
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
1. National visa application form. The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application
2. Photo. Glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. Photographs of toddlers and babies must not show any part of the adult holding them
3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s License, or Student ID.
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans). Must present one of the following documents:
- · Original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
- · Valid US long-term Visa
- · Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
6. Authorization of Initial Residence for national researching. (Autorización de residencia inicial para investigación nacional), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must present an original and photocopy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI, It cannot be older than 6 months from the issued date, and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC. Local State Apostille is not valid.
- · The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years.
- · The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/
8. Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees 2024
Present the payment the day of your appointment. Only money orders are accepted, payable to the Consulate of Spain. No cash, personal checks, nor credit cards. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.
APPLICANT FROM SEP., 24, 2024
Americans $ 190
Other Nationalities $ 99
9. Pre-Paid Priority/Express mail envelope from the United States Postal Services along with a tracking number. Once the visa is approved, the Consulate will return the applicant's passport inside that envelope.
10. Shipping Disclaimer form must be downloaded here.
Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and of the power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals 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.
FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
The following family members of the worker may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children.
- Relatives in the ascending line in the worker's care.
Family members with Authorization of Initial Residence (Autorización de residencia inicial para familiares), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones. must submit - when applicable, translated into Spanish by a certified translator -:
· All the required documents specified in the above sections from 1 to 8.
· Original and copy of birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
· Original and copy of marriage certificate issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator, or any other document proving the relationship (joint taxes/bank statements)
· Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and civil status.
· Relatives in the ascending line, must submit original and copy of worker birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
The Consular Office may request additional documents
PROCEDURE
· Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
Employees transferred to Spain by the same company or group of companies in the United States.
· Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the Consular Office. An appointment is necessary.
Address:
Consulate of Spain in Chicago
180 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601
· 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/H ome .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 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.
· Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within a maximum period of 1 month after the approval. Or, it will be sent in the prepaid envelope provided by the applicant.
· 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 the notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
The validity period of the visa: The visa is valid for 1 year, or for the same period as the residence permit granted, provided that this is for less than 1 year.
The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary for the worker to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, the worker may apply for this card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station