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 following family members of the researcher may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the researcher and who have not created a family unit of their own.
- Relatives in the ascending line in the researcher's care.
The Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles will consider applications for residents in its jurisdiction: Southern California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
Applications are in person by appointment only at BLS:
BLS International Office
5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Required documents for the researcher
1. ![]()
National visa application.pdf. The applicant must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. Photograph. Glued to the application form. A recent color photo-paper picture, passport-size, taken against a white background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
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 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Proof of residence in the Consular jurisdiction. State ID, Driver's license or student ID.
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans). Must present one of the following documents:
- Original and copy of permanent resident card (Green card)
- Valid US long term visa
- Holders of B1/B2 visas cannot apply in the United States, they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
6. Authorization of initial residence for national researching. (Autorización de residencia inicial para investigación nacional), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by the FBI. The certificate cannot be older than 6 months from the isued date, and it has to be legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Conventon issued by the Department of State in Washington D.C. Local Apostille is not valid.
- The certificate must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
- The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries on residence for the past 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
8. Payment of the visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Ethiopa, Canada, and the United Kingdom, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check here the complete most recent ![]()
Visa fees.pdf.
Fees must be paid by money order on the day of the appointment.
The processing fee will not be refunded even if the visa is not granted or cancelled.
BLS International will charge their additional services.
APPLICANT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2026
US citizens $ 190.00
Other Nationalities $ 106.00
9. 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 notarized 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.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the researcher, the following must be submitted:
- All the required documents specified in the above sections from 1 to 8. Where applicable, those specified in section 7 also.
- Originals and copies of documents proving family relationship with the researcher: birth or marriage certificates issued by the Civil Registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving that the relationship is an unregistered partnership. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- In the case of adult children, documents proving their financial dependence and civil status. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents proving the relationship and that they are in the researcher's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- Medical insurance certificate.
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 in person by the applicant or by one of the parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
- Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person by appointment only at BLS International Office, 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011. Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Proof of receipt: BLS will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application.
- 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 visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within a maximum period of 1 month after the approval. BLS 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.