General scheme for the family reunification visa

General Information

Visa for family members of foreigners who already have legal resident status in Spain and who wish to exercise the right to family reunification.

This type of visa is not issued to family members of citizens of the European Union or of the Member States of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland (see “Visas for family members of EU citizens").

Family members who can obtain a family reunification visa :

The spouse, not separated in fact or in law, or the applicant´s partner that is analogous to a marital relationship (partner entered on a public register, provided that the registration has not been cancelled, or unregistered partner proving the continuity of a cohabitation relationship established before the applicant settled in Spain).

Reunification cannot be offered to more than one spouse or partner.
The applicant´s children, including adopted children (provided that the adoption is valid in Spain), stepchildren and those represented legally by the applicant. In all cases, children must be under the age of 18 or have disabilities and are not objectively capable of providing for their own needs.
The applicant's parents (mother or father) and parents in law, if they are in the care of the applicant, are older than 65 and there are reasons substantiating the need to authorize their residence in Spain.

On an exceptional basis, and for humanitarian reasons, the reunification of parents under the age of 65 may be permitted.

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.

Initial family reunification permit: Original and a copy of the initial family reunification permit issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in Spain, at the applicant's request.
Applicant's Spanish residence card: Certified photocopy of the applicant's Foreigner Identification Card, which must be unexpired.
Documents proving family relationship with the applicant:
- Spouses: Marriage certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the event of second or successive marriage, proof of divorce from the previous spouse.
- Unmarried couples: Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or, if the couple has not entered their relationship on a register, documents proving the couple's relationship dates back to before the applicant established their residence in Spain.
- Children: Birth certificate issued by the competent civil registry. In the case of the children of just one of the spouses or members of the couple, proof must also be provided that they hold sole parental authority over the child or that they have been awarded custody and that the child is effectively in their care.
- Parents: Birth certificate of the applicant or of the spouse or partner issued by the competent civil registry and documents substantiating the reasons for which it was necessary to authorize their residence in Spain. Among other documents, proof must be provided that, over the past year, the applicant has transferred funds to or covered expenses incurred by the parent representing, at least, 51% of the per capita GDP of the parent's country of residence. Moreover, proof must be submitted of the annual income and properties owned by the parent and information on other direct family members who are resident in the country.
  
  Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official 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
Consular visa fees: Money order made out to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
US Passport holders visa fee $ 140
Other nationalities visa fee $ 106

For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity, Please check the Visa fee
Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
Postal delivery authorization

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 together with an official translation into Spanish.

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.

Procedure

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.
Who can apply for a visa: The visa application must be submitted by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, the application may be submitted by one of the parents or guardians or by a duly accredited representative.
Visa application period: The visa application must be submitted within a period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the applicant is notified of the decision to authorize the family reunification.
Place of submission: Applications must be submitted via postal mail to Consulate General of Spain in Houston - Family reunification visa

(1800 Bering Dr. Suite 750 Houston, Texas, 77057).

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 2 months as of 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 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 notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 365 days. You must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within 1 month of entering Spain at the Police Station in the province where your residence permit was processed.