This visa is intended for religious ministers that will travel to Spain to carry out activities that are not meant for long-term continuation.
Required Documents
Present original and photocopy of the following documents:
- National visa application form: Each 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.
- Photograph: It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport-size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clare and visible.
- Valid unexpired Passport: Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a mínimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
- Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Notarized photocopy of: State ID, Driver´s Licence or Student ID from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
- Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-US passport holders): Must present one of the following documents:
- Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
- Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement
- Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
- Original document from the Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice) certifying that the religious organization is duly registered according to the Article 117.h (BOE 103, Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero) that you have been accepted as a representative of the religious organization and that they will assume full financial responsibility for the applicant.
- Original Letter from the religious organization in Spain stating that you have been sent as a missionary/other, describing the activities to be performed, and certifying that the organization will assume full financial responsibility. It must indicate a complete address, telephone number and contact person.
- Diplomas, credentials and other documents that proof you are qualified for the position offered, plus certified translation into Spanish.
- Criminal record check certificate (valid for 6 months): stating that the applicant has no criminal records in the place/s where he has resided the last five years.
- a. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI
and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.
- b. The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator: American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/
- c. Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid
- d. The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years
- Bilingual Medical Certificate: accrediting applicant´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 Medical certificate template
- Proof of Health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain.
- It must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain and for the entire intended period of stay in Spain
It must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit
it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses.
Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of coverage.
Travel insurance will not be accepted.
- Authorization form M790 C052 - ¨Autorización de residencia¨. Only available in Spanish. Properly filled out with the address in Spain and ticking the box “autorización inicial de residencia temporal" and signed.
- Formulario EX-09 : ¨Solicitud de autorización administrativa¨: Signed and filled out with the address in Spain. Only available in Spanish.
- Consular visa fees: Money order made out to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
US Nationals fee $140 (plus $13 residence permit) Total $153.00
Other nationalities fee $106 (plus $13 residence permit) Total $119.00
For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity, Please check the Visa fee
- USPS Priority or Express Mail: prepaid, self-addressed and with a tracking number.
- Postal delivery authorization : duly filled out and signed
Requirements for Family members: spouse and minor children
- Religious Visa requirements except numbers 6 to 8 and 13.
- Marriage Certificate (not older than 3 months) authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. Both documents must be translated by a certified translator.
- Birth Certificate (not older than 3 months) authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. Both documents must be translated by a certified translator.
- Form EX-01 : ¨Solicitud de autorización administrativa¨: Signed and filled out with the address in Spain. Only available in Spanish.
- Proof of financial means: If the church does not cover their expenses during their stay in Spain, they must provide sufficient financial means to support themselves during their residence in the country. The minimum annual amount required is equivalent to 400% of the IPREM (by 2026 approx, USD 33,400) and adding 100% of the IPREM additional for each family member (approx USD 8,330).
Procedure
- Who can apply for a visa: This Consulate is competent to accept only visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
- Place of submission: Applications must be submitted via postal mail to Consulate General of Spain in Houston- Religious Activities visa (1800 Bering Dr. Suite 750 Houston, Texas, 77057).
- Rectifying the application: The Consulate could 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 two months from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
- Refusal of the residence permit or visa: Refusals of the residence permit or visa will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.
- Appeals: If a residence permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consulate within one 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 two-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the refusal of the visa or residence permit or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
- Validity period of the visa: For activities to carry out for a period no longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire program and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE Card).
For activities longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for 365 day. Applicants will have to present the visa before the National Police (Extranjeria office) within 1 month upon their arrival, in order to obtain the pertinent Foreigner Identity Card (TIE card)