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 visa is valid for 1 year, or for the same period as the residence permit granted (see point 4 of next section, Required documents for researcher), 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.
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 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. Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of 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.
6. Proof of residence in Ireland. GNIB card/ IRP valid until the end of the applicant's planned stay in Spain. Since UK nationals who reside in Ireland do not have a GNIB card, they should submit as proof or residence their driving license, tax receipts.
7. 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. Documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
8. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee is of an amount equivalent to 80 euros. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom different rates are applied for reasons of reciprocity. In these cases, the amount of the fee must be consulted with the Embassy.
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. Documents not issued by an EU country 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. Documents not issued by an EU country 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. Documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Medical insurance certificate.