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.
Required documents for the researcher
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant, or their representative, 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. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light 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 consecutive blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4.Residence permit. Original and a copy of the residence permit issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
5. Criminal record check certificate. This requirement is not mandatory if the duration of the requested stay is less than six months. However, if the length of stay requested is longer than six months, a negative criminal record certificate, together with an official translation into Spanish, is required. It must be issued by the authorities of the country or countries in which you have resided for the last 5 years. In the case of Canada, only the negative criminal record certificate issued by the RCMP containing the visa applicant's fingerprints will be accepted. You will find more information about how to obtain it here.
Criminal records certificates from local police stations will not be accepted. The Canadian Criminal Record Certificate must be with the Hague Apostille Certification, and translated into Spanish. If the criminal record certificate has been issued outside of Canada, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in that country, unless the country that issued it has signed the Hague Convention, in which case it must be apostilled. You can check the list of the countries signing the Hague Convention here.
6. Proof of residence in the consular district. The Consulate General of Spain in Montreal only accepts applications from residents of Quebec (except Gatineau), Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. If you reside in any other place, you must apply for your visa at the Consulate General of Spain in Toronto (provinces of Ontario (except Ottawa), Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and British Columbia) or at the Embassy of Spain in Canada (Ottawa and Gatineau), according to the demarcations of the aforementioned institutions. To complete your application, an original and a copy must be submitted.
The translation into Spanish of all the documents may be required, in accordance with Art. 15 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the common administrative procedure of public administrations.
7. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, a copy of the identity document or passport of the parent and the document that proves the relationship must be presented. The originals will be shown at the time of submitting the application.
If the visa is requested by a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and the power of attorney previously legalized or apostilled or document proving the representation, must be submitted. Original documents will be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. Please note that the consulate reserves the right to accept or deny the representative.
8. Payment of the visa fee. The fee must be paid in Canadian dollars in cash or money order. You can check the fees in "Tasas consulares" found in the comunicación/noticias section.
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.
The translation into Spanish of all the documents may be required, in accordance with Art. 15 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the common administrative procedure of public administrations.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the researcher, the following must be submitted:
- All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Where applicable, those specified in section 7 also.
- 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 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.
The translation into Spanish of all the documents may be required, in accordance with Art. 15 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the common administrative procedure of public administrations.
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
- Who can apply for a permit: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if they are a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
- Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the consulate. It is mandatory to request an appointment by writing an email to cog.montreal.vis@maec.es in which you must indicate your name as it appears in your passport and the date of travel, and attach a copy of your passport (if you do not have Canadian nationality, a Canadian visa) and official proof that you reside in our consular demarcation.
ALL CITIZENS APPLYING FOR A VISA MUST ATTEND THE CONSULAR OFFICE IN PERSON, INCLUDING MINORS.
- 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 term to make a decision is 10 days from the day after the application is submitted, but this term may be extended when additional documents are requested or an interview is held. Visa applications submitted by nationals of some states require a consultation process with central authorities which may affect the duration of the visa procedure.
Visa applications submitted by nationals of some states require a consultation process with central authorities which may affect the duration of the visa procedure.
You can check the status of your visa application here, by entering the information on the receipt that was given to you at the consular office If the processing status of your visa application appears as “RESUELTO”, the procedure of your file has been completed. To collect your documents, follow the instructions provided by the visa agent on the day of your appointment.
Another status of the process is: “EN TRAMITACIÓN”. The request is pending resolution.
- Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. 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.