CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN EN CHICAGO

MINISTERIO DE ASUNTOS EXTERIORES Y

180 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1500

WORK VISA
The visa process takes 10 days from the day the application and all documents are submitted, plus 10
days for mail delivery.
Due to the number of applications received by this Consulate, we recommend you schedule an
appointment as soon as you have all the required documents.
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION
All documents to be submitted in original form + 1 copy.
1. National visa application form: application form signed and filled in, in legible print.
2. Original Passport and ID (plus 1 photocopy of both): Valid passport for a minimum of 1 year, with
at least one blank page to affix the visa. Your passport may remain at the Consulate. Please provide
proof of residency by means of a copy of US Drivers license or US State ID or Voters Registration
Card.
3. One recent passport sized photo: (White Background, 2x2) glued to the form.
4. Notification of work and residence permit approval (COMUNICACIN DE CONCESIN DE
AUTORIZACIN DE TRABAJO Y RESIDENCIA) stamped by the Ministry of Labor (Ministerio de
Trabajo e Inmigracin) in Spain. This document cannot be older than 30 days.
5. Criminal History Information/Police Background Check. Must be verified by fingerprints. It
cannot be older than 3 months from the application date. The certificate must be issued from either:
a) State Department of Justice. Original Conviction Information Request Form (from all the States
where applicant has lived during the past 5 years). Legalized with the Apostille of the Hague
Convention by the corresponding Secretary of the State.
b) FBI Records, issued by the US Department of Justice F.B.I. Legalized with the Apostille of
the Hague Convention by the US Department of State in Washington DC.
Local Police background check will not be accepted.
You must also get a police record from the countries where you have lived during the last 5 years.
- Translated into Spanish by a certified translator
For the Apostille of The Hague Convention in the US, please visit:
http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-ofdocuments/notarial-and-authentication-apostille.html
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6. Medical Certificate (not applicable to applicants under law 14/2013 of September 27 ) A recent
doctors statement (not older than 3 months in doctors or medical centers letterhead) indicating that
the applicant (identified by Passports First and Last name) has been examined and found free of any
contagious diseases according to the International Health Regulation 2005. Signed by a M.D.
7. If you are not picking up your passport and visa in person, you should include an Express Mail
envelope self-addressed and with prepaid stamps from the US Postal Service (only), so your
passport and visa can be returned by mail. We only accept one envelope per visa applicant.
Once the visa is approved, the Consulate will do one of the following:

Return applicants passport inside the Express Mail envelope. Applicant can check the status of
the shipment by tracking the envelope at www.usps.com.

If the applicant didnt provide an envelope, we will send the applicant a written confirmation email
using the email address applicant gave to obtain the appointment.

.
THE CONSULATE DOES NOT TRACK MAIL, OR ANSWER EMAILS ASKING FOR VISA STATUS

8. Evidence of Immigration Status in the US, for non US passport holders only: Please provide a
Permanent Resident Card or a US Visa with I-20,
Please, be advised that additional requirements may be requested.
SPOUSE AND MINOR CHILDREN
The spouse must submit the same documents as the Non-lucrative visa applicant, together with a
marriage certificate. (Original issued in the last 6 months + photocopy)
The minor children must submit the same documents as the Non-lucrative visa applicant, together
with an original birth certificate (original issued in the last 12 months + photocopy), except the Criminal
History Information/Police Background Check.
Marriage and/or Birth certificates legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the
corresponding Secretary of the State and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
VISA FEES
Please visit our website to check the most recent visa fees.
We only accept money orders. No personal checks, no credit cards.
The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or cancelled.
IMPORTANT NOTICE AFTER ARRIVAL IN SPAIN: Please read carefully
No later than 30 days after applicants arrival in Spain, applicant must request a Residence Card
(Tarjeta de Residencia) at the Subdelegacin del Gobierno (Oficina de Extranjeros.
Documents to be submitted when applying for a Residence Card:
- Original Medical Certificate.
- Original Criminal History Information/Police Background Check.