Researcher visa

General Information

Visa to engage in training, research, development and innovation activities at public or private entities in the following cases:

Research staff referred to in article 13 and additional provision one of Act 14/2011 of 1 June on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Scientific and technical staff carrying out scientific research, development and technological innovation work at business entities or R&D&i centres established in Spain.
Researchers hosted, in the framework of an agreement, by public or private research bodies.
Teaching staff hired by universities, higher education and research bodies or centres, or business schools established in Spain.

The Consulate of Spain in Houston will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Required documents

Present original and photocopy of the following documents:

National visa app lication 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 minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued moer 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.

Authorization of Initial Residence for national researching. (Autorización de residencia inicial para investigación nacional), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones.
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.
Consular visa fees: Money order make 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 .
Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
Money Order made out to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
Postal delivery authorization

Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and of the power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.

For family members

The following family members of the researcher may also obtain the visa:

The spouse or unmarried partner.
Children.
Relatives in the ascending line in the researcher's care.

Family members with Authorization of Initial Residence (Autorización de residencia inicial para familiares), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones. must submit - when applicable, translated into Spanish by a certified translator

All the required documents specified in sections from 1 to 8.
Original and copy of birth Certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Original and copy of marriage issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator. Commom-law marriage (informal marriage) also apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator will also be accepted.
For minors who travel with only one of the parents with joint custody, the non traveling parent must provide a copy of his/her ID along with a notarized authorization, which will be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague.
Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and civil status.
Relatives in the ascending line, must submit original and copy of worker´s birth certificate translated into Spanish by a certified translator, and documents proving financial dependence and that they are part of the family unit. US and non US documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.

The Consular Office may request additional documents.

Procedure

Who can apply for a permit: This Consular office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
Place of submission: Applications 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 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 10 days as of the day after the submission date of the application, but this period may be extended when 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 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 is valid for 1 year, or for the same period as the residence permit granted, provided that this permit is for less than 1 year.

The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, this card may be applied for at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.