I AM AN ACTOR / MUSICIAN / DANCER / AUDIOVISUAL TECHNICIAN AND I AM GOING TO WORK IN SPAIN ON AN AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION / THEATRE PERFORMANCE / CONCERT FOR A PERIOD OF LESS THAN 90 DAYS. DO I NEED VISA?
Under the Spanish regulation (Order PCM/1238/2021, of 12th November
) all the performance artists and technicians who work in the audiovisual media (film, TV, theatre, music) and comply with the requirements of the Order PCM/1238/2021 don't need a Visa, neither an authorisation to work in Spain for a period up to 90 days for audiovisual productions and artistic performances if their nationalities don't require a Schengen visa accordingly to the Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.
IMPORTANT: Visa applicants must also apply for a NIE number, in Spain upon arrival, or before travelling at the Consulate of Spain.
If the nationality of an applicant of these specific work activities for a period up to 90 days requires a Schengen visa to enter Spain, we will process the uniform Schengen visa needed through BLS-London.
This new regulation does not apply to journalists, who continue with their usual procedure until now.
This regulation includes the applicants' immediate family members.
Please read carefully the detail of the Order PCM/1238/2021, of 12th November.
ESA VISA (91 TO 180 DAYS)
This visa is intended for professionals in the audiovisual sector, understanding as such foreign artists, technicians and professionals who are going to carry out activities within the audiovisual sector and artistic activities facing the public, or intended for recording of any kind for broadcast by mass media, for a duration between 91 and 180 days. The worker may be accompanied by: - The spouse or related person with a similar affective relationship. - Minor or older children who, economically dependent on the owner, have not constituted a family unit by themselves. - Ascendants in charge.
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.
4. Document that proves the professional relationship with the company that hires or transfers the professional.
5. Document proving that the professional is part of a production project in the audiovisual sector or artistic performance facing the public or intended for recording for dissemination by mass media. This document must state the duration of the planned activity, which may not exceed 180 days.
6. Responsible statement from the company that hires in Spain guaranteeing that it is up to date with the payment of its obligations to Social Security and the Tax Agency.
7. 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.
8. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district. To verify your consular district, please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate.
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. Visa fee payment is compulsory and has to be made at the same time when submitting a visa application. The fee has to be paid in local currency and it is subject to regular changes due to the currency fluctuations. Please check the list of Consular fees.
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.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the worker, the following must be submitted:
· All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Where applicable, those specified in 8 also. In the case of minors, the visa application must be signed by one of their parents or by a duly accredited representative.
. Financial means. Original and a copy of the documents proving that the the worker or the family member has sufficient financial resources of their own, or accrediting that they have a regular source of income, for themselves. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 150% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM) for 1 family member acompanying the worker. To this amount must be added 50% of the IPREM for each of the family members when more than 1 is accompanying the worker. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
· Documents proving family relationship with the worker: 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 that prove they are in the worker's care. 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.
· 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. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
· Place of submission:
20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG
· 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, 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.
The appeal addressed to the Visa Department must be posted by Royal Mail or other courrier service provider to this Consulate.
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 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.
SWORN TRANSLATIONS AND LEGALISATIONS
Please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate for the list of sworn translators-interpreters.
The legalisations and Hague Apostilles must legalise the signatures of the signatories of the certificates: registered medical practitioners, police officers, etc. and not the signature of notaries or solicitors who did not issue those certificates.
The Hague Apostille does not need to be translated into Spanish if one of the languages of issuance is Spanish.
RSA VISA (MORE THAN 180 DAYS)
This visa is intended for professionals in the audiovisual sector, understanding as such foreign artists, technicians and professionals who are going to carry out activities within the audiovisual sector and artistic activities facing the public or intended to record of any kind for broadcast by mass media, for a duration of more than 180 days.
The worker may be accompanied by: - The spouse or related person with a similar affective relationship. - Minor or older children who, economically dependent on the owner, have not constituted a family unit by themselves. - Ascendants in charge.
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.
4. RESOLUCIÓN DE AUTORIZACIÓN DE RESIDENCIA INICIAL or, in the case of their relatives, RESOLUCIÓN DE AUTORIZACIÓN DE
RESIDENCIA INICIAL PARA FAMILIARES issued by the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos.
5. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 2 years. Additionally, a responsible declaration of the absence of criminal records of the last five years will be presented.
This certificate cannot be older than 3 months, unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration.
For UK Criminal Records submit ACRO Certificate.
These certificates must be legalised through the Spanish Representations in the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised.
Sworn translation into Spanish is also required.
6. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district. To verify your consular district, please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate.
7. 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.
8. Payment of the visa fee. Visa fee payment is compulsory and has to be made at the same time when submitting a visa application. The fee has to be paid in local currency and it is subject to regular changes due to the currency fluctuations. Please check the list of Consular fees.
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.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the worker, the following must be submitted:
· All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Where applicable, those specified in 7 also. In the case of minors, the visa application must be signed by one of their parents or by a duly accredited representative.
· Documents proving family relationship with the worker: 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 that prove they are in the worker's care. 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.
· 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. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
· Place of submission:
20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG.
· 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 visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative 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.
The appeal addressed to the Visa Department must be posted by Royal Mail or other courrier service provider to this Consulate.
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 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.
SWORN TRANSLATIONS AND LEGALISATIONS
Please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate for the list of sworn translators-interpreters.
The legalisations and Hague Apostilles must legalise the signatures of the signatories of the certificates: registered medical practitioners, police officers, etc. and not the signature of notaries or solicitors who did not issue those certificates.
The Hague Apostille does not need to be translated into Spanish if one of the languages of issuance is Spanish.