If you’re visiting Spain for private or studies-related research purposes, remember that as long as your stay is under 90 days, you don’t need a visa, unless your country requires a tourist visa for travel to Spain . If you require longer than 90 days, it is often easiest to leave the country for a few days and re-enter (the important thing is to have your passport stamped both upon exiting and re-entering the country), thereby legally giving yourself another 90 days without having to go through the rigmarole of applying for a Visa.
However, if your stay in Spain is going to be more than 6 months, you’ll probably want to apply for a visa. If your visit is related to academic research, you should apply for a student visa. Student visa applications must be turned in at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country in person or by an authorized representative, who must have a notarized authorization. Visa requests for your spouse and children may be submitted as well. For information on how to apply for a student visa, visit the “You are going to study” section of this guide.
If your research is not related to work or studies being conducted at an academic institution, you should apply for a work-exempt visa. This visa allows you to reside in Spain without being obligated to request a work permit.
The following documentation must be submitted with your completed and signed work-exempt visa application form (http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_04.pdf):
- An original letter from your insurance company confirming a minimum coverage equal to €30,000 plus two copies.
- A passport valid for a minimum of six months and three photocopies of the personal information and photo page.
- Four recent passport photos with a white background.
- Original marriage certificate, if applicable, and two photocopies.
- Proof of receiving a grant if applicable.
- Original and two copies of a medical certificate on doctor’s stationary verifying that you do not suffer from drug addiction or mental illness and do not carry any of the following diseases: yellow fever, cholera and the plague. The certificate should be translated into Spanish.
- Proof that you will be financially capable of supporting yourself during the time you are in Spain. This proof must be one of the following:
- Notarized letter from parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I am the (father/mother/other) of (…), will support him/her with a monthly allowance of at least $1,000 while he/she is in Spain and that I’m financially responsible for any emergency that may arise.”
- Bank account statement showing a total of at least $1,000 per month.
