Visa for foreigners who want to carry out a work or professional activity remotely for companies located outside Spain through the exclusive use of computer, telematic or telecommunication means.
Foreigners who carry out an activity as an employee may only work for companies located outside Spain.
Foreigners who are self-employed may also work for companies located in Spain, provided that the percentage of such work does not exceed 20% of their total activity.
To obtain this visa, it is necessary to have a graduate or postgraduate degree issued by prestigious universities, vocational training centers or business schools, or proof of a minimum of three years' professional experience.
The following family members of the teleworker can also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or domestic partner.
- Minor children and those over that age who are financially dependent on the teleworker and who have not themselves constituted a family unit.
- Ascendants who are dependent on the teleworker.
General (for international teleworkers and their family members):
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant, or his/her representative, will complete all sections and sign a visa application.
2. Photograph.pdf. A recent passport-size photograph in color, with a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or clothing that hides the oval of the face.
3. Valid and unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the biometric page(s) of the passport. The passport must be valid for at least 1 year and have two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
4. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) of their criminal background check(s) issued by the country or countries of residence in the past 2 years. In addition, a responsible declaration of the non-existence of a criminal record for the last five years will be submitted too.
You may download this declaration by clicking here.
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 authenticated with the Hague Apostille Certification, and must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator.
The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation). You can find a certified translator through
The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario.
The background check must be issued within 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary public that stamps a seal on the criminal background check).
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 2 years in another country (outside Canada) an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. The criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, unless it is issued by an EU member state.
The criminal background check issued by an EU authority does not need to be apostilled to be accepted. You can check the list of the countries signing the Hague Convention
here.
If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish).
5. Proof of residency in the consular demarcation. The visa applicant must prove their legal residence in the country where the application is submitted. If the interested party is not a Canadian citizen, he/she must provide documentation proving his/her residence in Canada (permanent resident card or work permit or study permit with certificate of studies). The consular demarcation of the Embassy of Spain in Ottawa covers only the region of the capital of Canada (Ottawa and Gatineau). If you live in a location other than Ottawa or Gatineau, you should contact the
Consulate General of Spain in Toronto or the
Consulate General of Spain in Montreal, according to the demarcations of those Consulates.
6. Prove the identity and capacity of the representative. If the visa is requested through a representative, a copy of the representative's identity card or passport and the power of attorney or document proving representation must be submitted. Originals will be shown at the time of application.
7. Payment of the visa fee. The processing fee is 117.20 CAN $ (year 2024), except in cases where there are reciprocity fees with other countries. Processing fees for Canadians: 2140,00 CAN $.
Only cash, money order or certified cheque will be accepted, payable to the Spanish Embassy.
The established fees must be paid at the time of applying for a visa, with no refund in the event of a refusal.
8. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the public or private health insurance certificate contracted with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain (the insurance company must be registered in the list of insurance and reinsurance companies of the Directorate-General of Insurance and Pension Funds of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in España.
It is not necessary to present health insurance if you can prove coverage by the Spanish public Social Security system. If an international social security convention is applied that allows the teleworker insured in another State to carry out his activity in Spain, instead of health insurance, a certificate of entitlement to coverage issued by the competent institution of the State in whose Social Security system he is insured must be submitted.
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
The telework visa is sufficient title to reside and work remotely in Spain during its period of validity, so it is not necessary for the worker to obtain the Foreigner Identity Card. However, the worker may request this card at the Immigration Office or at the corresponding Police Station.