Employee visa

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

Present original and photocopy of the following 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. 
   
   
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.
   
   
3. Valid, unexpired Passport:  Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued moer than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-US passport holders):  Must present one of the following documents:
   
   1. ​​Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
      

   2. Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement.

   3. 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 oresidencia y trabajo por cuenta ajena),  issued by the Delegation or Sub-delegation of the Government in the province where the employer is registered. 
   
   
7. 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.​​
   
   

8. 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   Template.
   
   

9. Consular visa fees:  
   Money Order made out  to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
   
   US Passport holders fee $190.00
   
   Other nationalities  fee   $106.00
   
   For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, diferent rates are applied base don reciprocity. Please check the visa fee .
   
   

10. Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
    
    

11. 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 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 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 must be submitted via postal mail to Consulate General of Spain in Houston- Employee 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 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 365 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.