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 centres 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 centres, or business schools established in Spain.
The Consulate of Spain in Houston will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Required documents for the researcher
(provide original and copy or each documents requested)
- National visa application form
.. Each applicant, or their representative, 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 a duly accredited representative must sign the application. - Photograph. It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport-size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clare and visible.
- Passport or Official Travel document. Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and cannot be issued more than 10 years ago. Please, make sure that the passport has two consecutive blank pages to affix the visa. The passport will remain at the Consulate during the visa process.
- Residence permit. Original and a copy of the residence permit issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
- Criminal record check certificate. Stating that the applicant has no criminal record in the place where he has resided for the last five years. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by the FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC. It cannot be older than 6 months from the application date and it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid.
- Proof of residency in the Consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s Licence or Student ID from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
- Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-US Passport holders): Must present one of the following documents:
- Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
- Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document.
- Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
- 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.
- Consular visa fee:
Money Order pay to the order of The General Consulate of Spain in Houston.
US Passport holders fee $190.00
Other nationalities fee $94.00
For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, diferent rates are applied base don reciprocity. Please check the visa fee.
- Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
- Postal delivery authorization
Required documents for family members
(Provide original and copy of each document requested)
The following family members of the researcher may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the researcher and who have not created a family unit of their own.
- Relatives in the ascending line in the researcher's care.
For each family member accompanying the researcher, the following must be submitted:
- All the required documents specified in sections 1 to 9.
- Documents proving family relationship with the researcher: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving that the relationship is an unregistered partnership. 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 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 proving they are in the researcher's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- Proof of Health insurance: from an insurance company recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain, and for the whole intended period of stay in Spain. The Health insurance must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit; it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses. An insurance card will not be accepted as proof of coverage. Travel insurance will not be accepted.
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.
- Who can apply for a permit: Visa applications must be submitted by the applicant or by one of their parents if they are a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
- Place of submission: Applications and requirements must be submitted via postal mail to General Consulate of Spain in Houston- Visa Department (1800 Bering Dr. Suite 750 Houston, Texas, 77057).
- 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 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 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 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 is valid for 1 year, or for the same period as the residence permit granted, provided that this permit is for less than 1 year.
The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, this card may be applied for at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.