International Remote Work Residence Visa​ (Digital Nomad visa)

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​General Information

Visa for foreigners who wish to work remotely for companies located outside of Spain using only computer, telematics, or telecommunications equipment.

Foreigners working as employees may only work for companies located outside of Spain.

Foreigners who are self-employed may also work for companies located in Spain, provided that this work does not exceed 20% of their total activity.

To obtain this visa, it is necessary to hold a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from a recognized university, vocational training center, or business school, or to demonstrate a minimum of three years of professional experience.

The following family members of the remote worker may also obtain the visa:

·         Spouse or registered partner.

·         Minor children and adult children who are financially dependent on the remote worker and have not formed their own family unit.

·         Relatives of the remote worker

​It is necessary to apply for an NIE at the same time as the visa if the applicant does not already have one by the time of the appointment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION 

1.     National visa application form. ​(Download) Each applicant will complete in all its sections and sign a visa application.

2.     Photography. A recent color passport-size photograph with a white background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or clothing that hides the face.

3.     Valid passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages with biometric data of the passport. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.

4.  Hong Kong or Macau Residence Permit -- Original and photocopy of Hong Kong or Macau ID Card. If you are not a permanent HK resident, a valid HK residence visa will also be needed.

5.  Criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of the country or countries in the applicant has resided during the last 2 years. Additionally, a responsible statement of absence of criminal records of the last 5 years is required.   (This document should be legalized and be of ficially translated into Spanish)

6.   Visa Fee payment (in HK Dollars, by cash or FPS ): The visa fee is an amount equivalent to 90 euros to be paid in local currency. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, different rates apply for reciprocity reasons. In these cases, the amount of the fee must be consulted with the Consular Office.

7.  Public or private health insurance: Applicants for visas or international remote work residence authorizations must have public or private health insurance arranged with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, which must remain active during the period of validity of the authorization. Travel insurance will not be considered valid for visa application purposes.

In the event that the applicant is covered by an international standard for coordination of social security systems signed by Spain and if this standard does not provide health coverage for workers who, being insured in a State, carry out their activity in the territory from another State, it must be proven that they have public or private medical insurance that provides coverage comparable to that provided by the Spanish National Health System:

1.     In the case of public health insurance: It may be submitted in this way for those people who have signed a health care agreement with the Autonomous Community in the territory they are registered in, provided they meet the requirements for that purpose.

2.     In the case of private health insurance: It must be arranged with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain (travel insurance is not valid). The coverage of the insurance plan must allow you to go to the doctor both for check-ups and for illnesses or emergencies. The medical insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage limit; that is, it must cover 100% of medical, hospital and extra-hospital expenses. You may find a list of the aforementioned companies here: http://dgsfp.mineco.es/es/Consumidor/RegistrosPublicos/Paginas/Aseguradoras.aspx

Specific requirements for the international remote workers. Original and one copy of the following documents: 

1.      Certificate from the company reflecting:

a) For employees: The employee's length of employment with the company (Minimum three months) and the company's express authorization for the employee to work remotely.

b) For self-employed workers: the length of the contractual relationship (Minimum three months) and the terms and conditions under which the professional activity will be carried out remotely.

2.      Certificate from the Commercial Registry (or equivalent office in the origin country) reflecting the company's incorporation date (must be at least one year old) and the type of activity it performs.

3.      Sworn statement (from the company or the self-employed worker) committing to comply with social security obligations prior to commencing work or professional activity.

4.      For employees: proof of application for company registration with the Spanish Social Security system and proof of the worker's Social Security affiliation.

5.      For self-employed workers: proof of registration with the RETA (Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers).

6.      The requirement of registration with Social Security can be replaced by transferring the right from the country of origin when there is an international Social Security agreement with Spain. In this case, the Social Security Administration Office of the country of origin must issue a certificate of applicable legislation for teleworkers, based on said agreement, which provides temporary coverage in Spain. This circumstance must be included in the responsible declaration. Important: only some countries issue the aforementioned certificate of coverage for remote workers. It is recommended to consult the international agreements on Social Security and the templates for certificates of legislation in bilateral agreement.

7.      Documentation that proves financial means:

a) Remote worker: an amount that represents 200% of the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) per month.

b) Family members of the teleworker: at least 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member reunited with the employee and at least 25% of the minimum wage for each additional family member.

Any means of proof may be used to demonstrate the aforementioned amounts (employment contract, firm job offer, or, in the case of professional activity, a commercial contract corresponding to the work or professional activity to be carried out, or other). The ownership, legality, and availability of the funds used as proof must be demonstrated.

8.      Documentation demonstrating qualifications or professional experience: Original and a copy of the undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a recognized university, vocational training program, or recognized business school. Alternatively, documents demonstrating a minimum of three years of professional experience in functions similar to those of the position to be performed as an international teleworker. The experience must be comparable to the required qualifications and relevant to the performance of the authorized remote employment or professional relationship.

To practice a regulated profession, you must provide proof of the homologation of the necessary qualification.

If there are doubts about the equivalence of a vocational training qualification within the Spanish education system, proof of validation of the qualification by the competent educational authority may be required.

A remote working visa cannot be granted when the application conditions coincide with those of an intra-company transfer visa.

Specific requirements for family members of international teleworkers: 

1.      Documents proving the family relationship with the teleworker: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as a civil partner, or any other document proving the relationship as an unregistered partner.

2.      In the case of adult children, documents proving the child's economic dependency and marital status.

3.      In the case of ascendants, documents proving that they are dependent on the worker.

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​Procedure

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT: Click Here​

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT: Click​ Here   ​

Prior appointment is required for each applicant. Each visa applicant cannot have more than ONE appointment. If you have more than one appointment, all your appointments will be cancelled.

Visa appointments can be full in high season, please try to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

• This Consular Office is competent to accept only visa applications for residents of the consular district of Hong Kong and Macau.
• Legally authorized subjects: The visa application will be presented personally by the interested party, or by one of their parents, if they are minors. It can also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
• Place of application: Prior appointment for visa application (click here).  Each applicant must make an appointment to present the documents (1 appointment = 1 applicant). The demand for appointments can be high during certain times of the year, please book your appointment in advance. The address of this Consulate General is: Suite 5303, Central Plaza, 18 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
• Application receipt: The Consular Office will provide the interested party with an application receipt that includes a code that allows them to verify the status of the file through the link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es
• Application rectification: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to present the missing documents or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary to resolve the application. The applicant may also be called for a personal interview.
• Visa collection: The visa must be withdrawn personally by the interested party or by their representative without the need for an appointment, within a maximum period of 1 month, counted from the day following the issue date of the favorable resolution.
• Visa rejection: Where appropriate, the rejection will always be notified in writing, stating the reasons on which the decision is based.
• Recourse: In the event of a visa rejection, the applicant may file an appeal for reversal with this Consular Office within a period of 1 month from the day following the date on which the notification of refusal is received. A contentious-administrative appeal before the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid may also be filed within a period of 2 months from the day following the date on which the notification of denial of the visa or dismissal of the appeal for replacement is received.