Employee visa

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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.

Required documents​ 

1. ​National visa application ​form Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application. 
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2. Photograph. It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clear and visible.
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3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 4 months (in the case of a temporary contract, the validity period must cover the duration of the contract) and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
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4. Initial residence and employee work permit. Original and a copy of the initial residence and employee work permit signed by the employer. 
   
   
5. Work contract. A copy of the work contract stamped by the Foreign Nationals' Office.​  
   
   
6. Criminal record check certificate: Stating that the applicant has no criminal records in the place where he has resided for the last five years. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by the FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC. It cannot be older than 6 months from the application date and it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.​
   
   Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid.​
   
   
7. Bilingual Medical certificate. Original and copy of a medical certificate, issued within the three months preceding the submission of the visa application, accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. ​Template.
   
   
8. Proof of residence in the consular district: Notarized copy of driver's license or State ID of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas.  ​
    
9. Evidence 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)
   • ​Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document.
     
     Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence. ​ 
     
10. ​​​​Proof ​of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to present originals and submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
    
    
11. Payment of the visa fee: Money order out to the  Consulate General of Spain in Houston. 
    
    US Passport holders fee $190
    Other nationalities  fee    $104
    
    For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others,  different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the visa fee.​
    
    
12. Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
    
    
13. Postal delivery authorization
    ​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 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 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 favourable decision regarding the initial residence and employment permit. 
• Place of submission: Applications and requirements must be submitted via postal mail to Consulate General of Spain in Houston- Visa Department (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 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 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: 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.

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