GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa for people aged 16 and over who wish to work as employees in Spain (with a work contract). This visa covers seasonal work activities. (For Religious and Exemption of work, please scroll down).
- The Consulate of Spain in Chicago will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- Applications are in person by appointment only. To request an appointment please follow these instructions:
- Send an email with the appointment request to cog.chicago.cit@maec.es (one email per family group)
- Attach a PDF copy of the applicant`s ID (State ID, Driver's License, or Student ID)
- Include this mandatory information :
- Name and last name of the applicant (for a family group, include all the applicant's names in the same email)
- Email address
- Phone number
- Type of visa
- Intended dates of travel
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
1. National visa application form. The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.
2. Photo glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. Photographs of toddlers and babies must not show any part of the adult holding them.
3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data and contain at least two blank pages. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 4 months. In case of a temporary contract, the validity period must cover the duration of the contract. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted
4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s License, or Student ID.
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans). Must present one of the following documents:
· Original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
· Valid US long-term Visa
Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence
6. Initial residence and employee work permit (Autorización de residencia y trabajo por cuenta ajena), issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in the province where the employer is registered.
7. Work contract. A copy of the work contract stamped by the Foreign Nationals' Office.
8. Criminal record certificate. (Validity for 6 months from the date of its issuing), applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record certificate issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.
- The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years.
- The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator : American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/
9. Bilingual Medical certificate, accrediting student´s good health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. It must have the Doctor's Stamp, or can be printed on medical center´s letterhead; it must not be older than 3 months. It is recommended to use our template.
10. Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees 2024
Present the payment the day of your appointment. Only money orders are accepted, payable to the Consulate of Spain. No cash, personal checks, nor credit cards. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.
APPLICANT FEE 2024
Americans $ 190
Other Nationalities $ 88
11. Pre-Paid Priority/Express mail envelope from the United States Postal Services along with a tracking number. Once the visa is approved, the Consulate will return the applicant's passport inside that envelope.
12. Shipping Disclaimer form must be downloaded here.
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.
For representative (Attorney): Copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and notarized power or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted with an official translation into Spanish.
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.
· Visa application period: The visa application must be submitted within a period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the employer is notified of the favorable decision regarding the initial residence and employment permit.
· Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person by appointment only at the Consular Office.
Address:
Consulate of Spain in Chicago
180 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601
· 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 of 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
· Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their legal representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favorable 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 of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives the notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
The validity period of the visa: If the contract is for one year, the visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, the worker must register with the Social Security system before beginning their work activity and apply for a Foreigner Identity Card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding police station, within 1 month from their registration with the Social Security system.
If the work contract is for seasonal work, the visa will be valid for the entire period for which the applicant is authorized to reside and work in Spain, and it will not be necessary to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card upon arriving in Spain