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 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.
Required documents for the researcher
1. 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.
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 1 year and contain two consecutive blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4.Residence permit. Original and a copy of the residence permit issued by the "Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos" (Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit).
5. 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 2 years. Additionally, they must complete and sign a responsible statement declaring that they have no criminal records for the past 5 years.
In the case of Canada, only the 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 with the Hague Apostille Certification issued by Global Affairs Canada, and translated into Spanish. If the criminal record certificate has been issued outside of Canada, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in that country, unless the country that issued it has signed the Hague Convention, in which case it must be apostilled. You can check the list of the countries signatories of the Hague Convention here.
6. Proof of residence in the consular district. Work permit, permanent resident card or Canadian passport.
7. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the visa is requested by a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and the power of attorney or document proving the representation, must be submitted. Original documents will be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents (other than issued in Canada) must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
8. Payment of the visa fee. Check the fee in Tasas Montreal 2024. The consular fee is to be paid the day of your appointment, preferably in cash or by money order or certified cheque to "The Consulate General of Spain in Montreal".
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the researcher, 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 section 7 also.
- 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 (not issued in Canada) 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 (not issued in Canada) 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 (not issued in Canada) 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 permit: Visa applications must be submitted in person 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: The Visa application must be submitted in person. You must previously request an appointment by sending an email to cog.montreal.vis@maec.es . In your email you must indicate your full name and send scanned copies of your passport and of a document proving your residence in this consular demarcation. In case you do not have Canadian citizenship, you must provide along with your passport, a document proving your status in Canada (permanent resident card).
- 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 term to make a decision is 10 days from the day after the application is submitted, but this term may be extended when additional documents are requested or an interview is held.
- 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. 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.