Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000, approved by Royal Decree 557/2011, of 20 April (Articles from 117 to 119)
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. Fill in the ‘Autorización inicial de residencia temporal fee self-assessment form 790-052, to be paid on the day your application is accepted.
5.Fill in the EX-09 form ‘Autorización de estancia o residencia temporal con excepción de la autorización de trabajo’.
6. Proof of being in one of the cases of exemption from the work authorization:
A. Technicians and scientist, invited or hired by the Spanish authorities or public institutions whose purpose is to promote and develop a research promoted or majority owned by the above.
This situation applies to professionals who, due to their knowledge, specialisation, experience or scientific practices are invited or hired by any of the Administrations mentioned for the development of an activity or a technical, scientific or general interest program.
Documents: Invitation or work contract endorsed by the legal representative of the Spanish authority or public institution, along with the project description and professional background.
B. Teachers, technicians, researchers and scientists invited or hired by a Spanish university. It will only be considered the foreign academics hired or invited by a Spanish university to carry out teaching, research or academic tasks.
Documents: Invitation or work contract for the exercise of the above-mentioned activities, endorsed by the legal representative of the university.
C. Managerial, teaching or research staff, from cultural or educational institutions, private or state-owned, with renowned reputation, officially recognised by Spain, that will carry out cultural or educational programs from the respective countries. The studies, programs, degrees or diplomas issued must be valid and recognised by the countries on which they depend.
Documents: proof of the validity in the country of origin of the degrees or diplomas issued in Spain, of the employment contract or designation for the exercise of management or teaching activities and, in the case of private entities, of documents justifying their official recognition by Spain.
D. Civil or military officials from Foreign States Administrations that come to Spain to perform activities under co-operational agreements with the Spanish Administration.
Documents: certificate issued by the competent Foreign State Administration and justification of such aspects.
E. Correspondents from foreign media who develop their journalistic activity in Spain, duly accredited by the Spanish authorities, as correspondents or special correspondents.
Documents: accreditation issued by the Spanish authorities.
F. Members of International Scientific Missions duly authorised by the relevant Spanish administration that will engage in studies or research activities programmed by an International organisation or agency.
Documents: authorisation issued by the competent Spanish administration to take part in the International Scientific Mission.
G. Religious ministers and members of the Church hierarchy, faiths and religious communities, and professed religious of religious orders. The following requirements must be met:
a) The Church or community is registered at the Registry of Religious Orders of the Ministry of Justice.
b) The applicant has the status of Minister of Religion, member of the Church hierarchy or professed religious.
c) The activities to be carried out in Spain are strictly religious, contemplative or respond to statutory purposes of the Order; work activities not included in this area are expressly excluded.
d) The entity must be in charge of living and accommodation costs, as well as those required under the Social Security regulations.
Documents:
- In paragraph a) through certificate issued by the Spanish Ministry of Justice.
- Rest of paragraphs, through certificate issued by the religious entity, with the consent of the Ministry of Justice and submitting a copy of the statutes of the order.
I. Members from representative, governmental and administrative bodies of internationally recognized trade unions and business organisations, if the activity is limited to the exercise of these functions.
Documents: certificate issued by the trade union or business organisation.
J. Foreign minors in working age, under the guardianship of a child protection agency, for activities that, at the proposal of the entity, promote their social integration.
Documents: documentary evidence that the minor is under the guardianship of the child protection agency, and proposal of the entity that will favor the social integration of the minor.
7. 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. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
This certificate cannot be older than 6 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.
8. 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. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
This certificate must be issued by a registered medical practitioner no later than 3 months prior to the date of application, it must be formulated in the following terms or similarly:
• If the medical certificate is issued in the United Kingdom: “This health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. (…) does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005”
Certificates issued in a language different from Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish.
• If the medical certificate is issued in Spain: “Este certificado médico acredita que el Sr./Sra. (…) no padece ninguna de las enfermedades que pueden tener repercusiones para la salud pública graves, de conformidad con lo dispuesto en el reglamento sanitario internacional de 2005”
This Consulate does not provide information about medical centres that issue this certificate. The applicant may contact any public or private medical centre duly accredited in the territory of the United Kingdom or Spain. Medical certificates issued in countries other than the United Kingdom or Spain will not be accepted.
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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.